Väänteet

Väänteet is a Finnish noun in plural form that stems from the verb vääntää, meaning to twist, bend, or manipulate. The word is used to describe twists, turns, tricks or maneuvers—either literal twists or figurative ones that affect a situation.

In everyday language väänteet often refer to strategic or deceptive moves designed to influence outcomes, mislead others, or gain an advantage. They can carry a negative or critical tone, depending on context, and are common in discussions about politics, media, business, or social interactions.

In literature and storytelling, väänteet can denote developments that alter the course of a narrative or introduce an unexpected turn. While similar to käänteet or juonen käänteet, väänteet convey a sense of intricacy or cunning, and may emphasize the manner in which the twist is achieved.

In technical or mechanical contexts, twisting actions or components can also be described with vääntö or momentti, whereas väänteet as a plural noun is used more often in figurative or descriptive language to highlight twists and manipulations rather than precise mechanical torque.

Etymology: the word is derived from vääntää, reflecting the core idea of turning or twisting. Related terms include vääntö (torque or argument) and käänne (turn or twist, in a more neutral sense).