katetaan

Katetaan is the present passive form of the Finnish verb kattaa, which means to cover, lay out, or set. In everyday Finnish, katetaan most commonly describes the act of setting a table for a meal, for example when guests are about to dine. The passive form places focus on the outcome (the table being set) rather than on who is doing the action.

Grammatically, katetaan can refer to both singular and plural subjects. For example, Pöytä katetaan means “the table is set,” and Pöydät katetaan means “the tables are set.” The corresponding past tense is katettiin (the table was set / the tables were set). Finnish often uses the present passive to indicate planned or scheduled actions, so Illallinen katetaan klo 19 can convey “Dinner is to be set for 7 p.m.” without specifying an agent.

Usage and nuance. Katetaan is widely used in domestic contexts, hospitality, and event planning. It describes a completed preparation or the ongoing process of preparing a meal service. It is typically not used to describe the act of hosting itself, but specifically the act of arranging the table or tableware. Related expressions include kattaa pöydät (to set the tables) and phrases like pöydän kattaminen (the act of setting the table).

Etymology and related forms. The word derives from kattaa, meaning to cover or to lay out. The construction with passive voice is common in Finnish to emphasize results or scheduled actions rather than the doer. Katetaan as a standalone term is widely understood in Finnish-speaking regions and appears in household instructions, restaurant notices, and event invitations.