kalastelevat

Kalastelevat is a Finnish word that occurs as both a finite verb form and a participial form of the verb kalastella, meaning to fish. In ordinary use, the third-person plural present tense ending -vat/-vät yields kalastelevat, translating to “they fish” or “they are fishing” depending on context. The same form can also function as the plural present active participle, used to describe someone who is fishing.

Form and usage

As a finite verb, kalastelevat appears in sentences with a plural subject: He kalastelevat usein. This means “They fish often” or “They are fishing often.” As a present active participle, kalastelevat can modify a noun phrase to describe people or things that are fishing, for example kalastelevat miehet meaning “fishing men” or “men who fish.” The participial usage is common in descriptive phrases or compound noun constructions.

Examples

Finite form: He kalastelevat usein. They fish often.

Participial usage: Kalastelevat miehet istuivat rannalla. The fishing men sat on the shore. Kalastelevat ihmiset löysivät saaliin. The fishing people found a catch.

Relation to other terms

Kalastelevat derives from kalastella (to fish) and is related to related forms such as kalastus (fishing) and kalastaa (to fish). The word illustrates Finnish’s productive use of the present active participle and the -vat/-vät verb endings to express both tense and predicative or attributive meanings.

Overall, kalastelevat is a versatile form in Finnish, functioning as both a plural present tense verb and a plural present participle that describes those who engage in fishing.