hehkuivat

Hehkuivat is a Finnish verb form meaning they glowed or radiated a soft light. It is the third-person plural imperfect (past tense) of the verb hehkua, which describes emitting gentle heat or light, often with a steady or shimmering quality. The form is used when the subject is plural and the action occurred in the past.

In usage, hehkuivat commonly describes sources of light such as embers, fires, sunsets, or eyes that show warmth or intensity. It can convey a visual impression of warmth or a warm atmosphere, rather than a bright, harsh light. The verb is versatile in descriptive prose and is frequently found in literary, atmospheric, and narrative contexts.

Etymologically, hehkuvat stems from the root hehku- with the standard Finnish plural imperfect ending -ivat. The related forms include hehkua (to glow) in its present tense, as well as other person and number forms such as hehkut, hehkuu, or hehkun, depending on tense and subject.

Examples:

- Hiilet hehkuivat pimeässä, antaen kevyen, punertavan valon. (The embers glowed in the dark, giving off a gentle red light.)

- Katseensa hehkuivat ilta-auringon lämmössä. (Their gazes glowed with the warmth of the evening sun.)

See also: hehkua, hehku (glow), Finnish verb conjugation basics.