odottelu

Odottelu is a Finnish noun meaning the act or period of waiting. It denotes waiting for someone or something and the accompanying emotional state of anticipation, often with a sense of duration or delay.

Etymology and nuance: Odottelu is formed from the verb odottaa (to wait) with the suffix -llu, which creates a noun referring to a state or ongoing activity. In distinguishing from odotus, which more strongly conveys expectation or hope, odottelu emphasizes the process and time aspect of waiting.

Usage: The term is common in everyday language and can describe waiting in queues, delays, or waiting for news, decisions, or results. In literary or conversational contexts, odottelu can convey mood—tension, boredom, or anxiety—produced by the wait. It can be combined with modifiers to express intensity, for example pitkä odottelu (long wait) or lyhyt odottelu (short wait).

Examples:

- Odottelu pysäkillä kesti pitkään. (The waiting at the bus stop lasted a long time.)

- Hänen odottelunsa ennen uutisten saamista oli jännittynyttä. (His waiting before the news arrived was tense.)

- Projektiin liittyvä odottelu venähti. (The waiting related to the project stretched out.)

See also: odottaa, odotus.