huokailla

Huokailla is a Finnish verb meaning to sigh, i.e., to exhale audibly as an expression of relief, weariness, sadness, or longing. The action can be a single sigh or a longer, repeated sighing, depending on context. In everyday language, huokailla often conveys emotional nuance rather than a literal physical act. The related noun is huokaus, meaning a sigh.

Etymology and form: The verb is derived from the noun huokaus and shares its root with related forms in Finnish that describe sighing. It belongs to a common class of -illa verbs in Finnish, and follows regular conjugation patterns for that group. The base sense centers on the sound and gesture of exhaling in reaction to emotion.

Usage and phrases: Common expressions include huokailla syvään (to sigh deeply) and huokaista helpotuksesta (to sigh with relief). Huokailla is frequently used in narrative and dialogue to signal mood or atmosphere. It can describe ongoing action (hän huokailee) or a completed action (hän huokaili). The noun form for the act is huokaus.

Grammatical notes: In present tense you typically see minä huokailen, sinä huokailet, hän huokailee; in the past tense huokaili; and in the perfect tense you may encounter hän on huokaillut. Present and past participles include huokaileva (sighing) and huokaillut (having sighed) respectively.

See also: huokaus, huokaaminen.