leikittää

Leikittää is a Finnish verb that primarily means to engage in play or to entertain, but it is most often used in the sense of to toy with or tease someone. It is a transitive verb and commonly appears in contexts describing social dynamics, emotions, or playful interaction.

In one sense, leikittää describes someone who toys with another person’s feelings, hopes, or expectations. This use carries a negative nuance when the action implies insincerity or manipulation, as in leading someone on or keeping them uncertain for the sake of amusement. For example, one might say that a person "leikittää toisen tunteilla" to convey that they are toying with that person’s emotions.

In a more neutral sense, leikittää can also mean to entertain or amuse by playing, especially with children, animals, or in light, playful situations. For instance, "Hän leikittää lapsia leluilla" means that he entertains the children with toys, indicating a positive or benign form of play.

Etymology and usage notes: the form derives from leikki, the noun and verb meaning play, with the causative suffix -ttää. This distinguishes leikittää from leikkiä, which simply means to play as an activity. The choice of leikittää often signals a focus on the effect of playing on others—either the playful dynamic itself or the implied manipulation of someone’s feelings.

Overall, leikittää covers both playful interaction and the more critical sense of toying with someone, with the intended meaning usually clear from context and tone.