haihtua

Haihtua is a Finnish verb meaning to disappear, vanish, evaporate, or fade away. It can describe a physical process, such as a substance becoming invisible or dispersing, as well as a figurative one, such as a memory or presence fading from view. The word is intransitive and widely used in everyday language and descriptive writing.

Etymology and form: Haihtua is a native Finnish verb belonging to the -ua verb class. It inflects like other -ua verbs, with the infinitive haihtua and common present and past forms.

Usage and nuance: In literal contexts, haihtua often denotes evaporation or dissipation (for example, moisture or mist disappearing as conditions change). In figurative contexts, it can describe things that are no longer perceptible or relevant, such as ideas, memories, or people becoming less noticeable or leaving a scene.

Conjugation (illustrative, regular -ua pattern): Infinitive haihtua; present indicative haihtuu; imperfect haihtui; past participle haihtunut, used in perfect tenses.

Examples:

- Sumu haihtuu auringon noustessa. (The fog dissipates as the sun rises.)

- Hän haihtui väkijoukosta. (He disappeared from the crowd.)

See also: evaporate, disappear, fade.