kuiskata

Kuiskata is a Finnish verb meaning “to whisper.” It describes the act of speaking in a soft, hushed voice, typically in private or to avoid being overheard. The word is used in everyday speech as well as in literature to convey intimacy, secrecy, or discretion. The associated noun kuiskaus refers to the act or sound of whispering.

Origin and classification: Kuiskata comes from the root kuisk- and is a standard Finnish verb of the -ta/-tä class. It is transitive, usually taking the thing whispered as a direct object and the listener as an indirect object in the appropriate case. It appears across tenses and moods like other Finnish verbs, and its forms follow regular patterns for its class.

Usage and nuances: The verb emphasizes a quiet, discreet mode of communication rather than loud speech. It is commonly used for private conversations, secrets, or reassuring phrases spoken softly. In translation, kuiskata is often rendered as “to whisper” in contexts ranging from intimate dialogue to secret instructions.

Examples in English: She whispered a secret to her friend. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. These examples illustrate the typical settings in which kuiskata is used—private exchanges, confidential information, or soothing comfort delivered in a low voice.

See also: kuiskaus (whisper, whispering). The term is part of everyday Finnish vocabulary and appears in both colloquial speech and literary writing.