etääntyvät

etääntyvät is a Finnish word that translates to "receding" or "drifting away" in English. It is the third-person plural present active indicative form of the verb etääntyä. This verb describes the action of something or someone moving further away from a point of reference, either physically or metaphorically.

In a literal sense, etääntyvät can be used to describe objects moving apart. For example, one might say "laivat etääntyvät satamasta" which means "the ships are receding from the harbor." This implies a visual observation of distance increasing between the ships and the port.

Metaphorically, etääntyvät can refer to the deterioration of relationships or the loss of connection. For instance, "ystävyys etääntyvät" could mean "the friendship is drifting apart," indicating a growing emotional or social distance between friends. Similarly, it can describe a fading of memories or ideas, suggesting they are becoming less clear or accessible over time. The context in which etääntyvät is used is crucial for understanding its precise meaning.