Vilkuttaa

Vilkuttaa is a Finnish verb with several related senses built around brief, signaling motions. The main meanings include to blink or wink with an eye (vilkuttaa silmää), to flash or flicker a light as a signal (vilkuttaa valojaan), and to wave or beckon with a hand to attract attention (vilkuttaa kättään). The term can also be used more broadly to indicate a quick, attention-grabbing signal, such as a display of lights or gestures.

Etymology and usage notes: Vilkuttaa derives from vilkku, a noun meaning a flicker or glint, with the verb-forming suffix -taa. The sense related to eyes or lights is common in everyday Finnish. When referring to eyes, one typically specifies the object, e.g., vilkuttaa silmää (to wink). For waving or signaling with a hand, phrases like vilkuttaa kättään are standard. In advertising or public signaling, vilkuttaminen (the act of flashing) can describe flashing signs or lights intended to draw attention.

Examples:

- Hän vilkuttaa silmää. (She winks.)

- Auto vilkuttaa valojaan. (The car flashes its lights.)

- Hän vilkuttaa kättään tervehdykseksi. (He waves his hand as a greeting.)

Vilkuttaa is a common, informal verb in Finnish with multiple related senses of signaling through brief movement or light.