katkeavat

Katkeavat is a Finnish verb form, specifically the third-person plural present indicative of the verb katketa, which means to break off, to be cut off, or to come to an abrupt end. The form is used to describe multiple subjects in the present tense in both physical and metaphorical senses, such as objects breaking apart or relationships and agreements ending unexpectedly.

In grammatical terms, katkeavat is formed from the stem katke- plus the personal ending -vat. It agrees with a plural subject, for example: Sillat katkeavat myrskyn vuoksi (The bridges break off because of the storm) or Sopimukset katkeavat, jos ehdoista ei pääse yhteisymmärrykseen (The contracts break off if the terms cannot be agreed upon). The same verb can also describe ongoing interruptions in various contexts, including communication lines, supply chains, or negotiations.

Usage notes and nuances: katkeavat conveys a sense of abrupt separation or discontinuity rather than a gradual ending. It is commonly applied to tangible breaks (such as cables or bridges) as well as intangible ones (such as ties, connections, or agreements). When describing a singular subject, the corresponding form would be katkeaa (he/she/it breaks off) or katkeaa, depending on the subject’s person and number.

See also: katketa (to break off/be broken), katkeaminen (the act of breaking off). Katkeavat is a standard, neutral term in Finnish for reporting interruptions or terminations involving multiple agents.