kovittaa

Kovittaa is a Finnish verb that translates to "to harden," "to stiffen," or "to make something tough." It is often used in contexts related to physical materials. For example, one might say that dough has kovittunut if it has become too hard to work with. Similarly, paint or glue can kovittaa as it dries, becoming solid and firm. The verb can also be used metaphorically to describe a person or a situation becoming more resolute or determined, though this is less common than its literal physical application. The past tense is kovittui, and the present participle is kovittuva. Understanding the context is key to accurately translating and interpreting the use of kovittaa.