itkä

itkä is a Finnish word that primarily translates to "crying" or "weeping" in English. It is a common and versatile term used to describe the act of shedding tears, often due to sadness, pain, or strong emotion. The word can be used in various contexts, referring to both human and animal crying. For example, one might say "lapsi itkä" for a "child crying" or "hän itkä kovasti" for "he/she cried hard."

In a broader sense, "itkä" can also be used metaphorically to describe a lament or a mournful sound. This extended meaning allows for its application to describe sounds of distress from natural phenomena or even objects, though this is less common than its literal meaning. The verb form is "itkeä," meaning "to cry." Derivatives like "itku" refer to the cry itself, the sound produced. The concept of "itkä" is deeply embedded in Finnish culture and literature, often symbolizing vulnerability, sorrow, or catharsis.