Vilkkuvat

Vilkkuvat is a Finnish term used primarily as an adjective or participle meaning blinking or flashing. It derives from verbs that describe changing light states, and in everyday language it is used to convey an intermittent on-off pattern rather than a steady glow. The form is common in descriptions of indicators, lights, and signals in technical or automotive contexts.

In usage, vilkkuvat typically modifies a noun to indicate that the object is not constantly lit. Examples include vilkkuvat valot (blinking lights) or vilkkuvat LED-valot (blinking LEDs). It can also appear in sentences as a predicate, as in Valot vilkkuvat (The lights are blinking). The sense is descriptive, focusing on the temporal pattern of the illumination rather than its color or intensity.

Contexts and translation, nuances: In technical writing, vilkkuvat is used to specify a flashing behavior of devices, panels, or indicators. The closest English equivalents are blinking or flashing. The term helps distinguish intermittent signals from steady-state indicators, which may be described with other adjectives such as vakaa (steady) or loistava (glowing).

Examples:

- Auton vilkkuvat valot varoittavat muita tienkäyttäjiä. Translation: The car’s blinking lights warn other road users.

- Laitteen vilkkuvat LED-valot kertovat sen tilan. Translation: The device’s blinking LEDs indicate its status.

See also: vilkuttaa, vilkku, LED, signal lights.