Väistymä

Väistymä is a Finnish noun that denotes the act or result of yielding, stepping aside, or evading an obstacle or opponent. It is formed from the verb väistyä, which means to move aside or to yield. The concept is used in both concrete and figurative contexts and can refer to physical movement as well as strategic or social avoidance.

In everyday language, väistymä describes making room for others or giving way in a crowded situation—for example, stepping to the side to let someone pass. In a broader sense, it can refer to avoiding a potential danger or conflict by choosing a less confrontational route or outcome. The term can also be used in a strategic or military sense to describe a retreat or evasive maneuver intended to reduce risk or to gain a more favorable position.

Because väistymä is a general, context-dependent term, its exact nuance varies with usage. In more formal or technical texts, writers might opt for more specific words such as väistö (a move to the side, also used for detours) or vetäytyminen (withdrawal), depending on the precise meaning.

See also: väistäminen, väistäminen (to yield or avoid), väistyä (to move aside). The article reflects common usage in Finnish, where the word often appears in everyday speech rather than specialized terminology.