hirmutavate

Hirmutavate is a Finnish term that can function as an adjective meaning frightening or fear-inducing, and, in plural form, as a noun phrase referring to things that cause fear. It is built from the root hirmu (terror, fear) with the suffix -ttava, which yields an adjective meaning “causing fear,” and the plural ending -tavat, which allows it to describe multiple items.

Etymology and form: The base hirmuttava denotes something that induces fear. When used before a plural noun, the adjective takes the plural ending to agree in number, yielding phrases such as hirmuttavat ilmiöt (frightening phenomena) or hirmuttavat olennot (frightening beings). The construction is common in Finnish to create descriptive, often literary or formal, expressions for horror, danger, or shock.

Meaning and usage: Hirmutavate is typically employed in descriptive or evaluative contexts, including literature, film criticism, journalism, and discussions of folklore or psychology. It emphasizes the fear-inducing quality of objects, creatures, events, or phenomena rather than simply labeling them as scary. The term tends to carry a weightier or more literary tone than everyday alternatives like pelottava.

See also: hirmu, pelottava, pelottavat ilmiöt, Finnish adjectives in -ttava form.

References: This article provides a concise linguistic overview of the term’s meaning, formation, and typical usage in Finnish.