kiusaat

Kiusaat is the second-person singular present indicative form of the Finnish verb kiusata, meaning to harass, tease, or bully someone. It describes an action carried out by the person addressed (you) toward another person. As a verb, kiusata is transitive and takes a direct object, for example: Sinä kiusaat minua (You bully me).

Related forms and usage include kiusaa (third-person singular present), kiusaamme (first-person plural present), and kiusaaminen, the noun meaning bullying or harassment. The noun kiusaaja refers to a person who bullies or harasses others. In everyday language, kiusata covers a range from playful teasing to harmful harassment, with context and tone helping to determine the seriousness of the act.

In social and educational contexts, kiusaaminen or kiusaaminen-keskustelu (bullying discussions) are common topics. Finnish discourse often distinguishes between light, jocular teasing among friends and persistent or targeted harassment, which is considered unacceptable. Addressing kiusaat and kiusaaminen is part of anti-bullying efforts in schools and workplaces, emphasizing prevention, reporting, and support for victims.

Overall, kiusaat functions as a grammatical form within a broader vocabulary for interpersonal aggression in Finnish. Its meaning is determined by context, and its related terms—kiusaata, kiusaaminen, kiusaaja—help describe the action, the behavior, and the person involved.