ohittamisen

Ohittamisen is the Finnish noun for the act of overtaking or passing by, derived from the verb ohittaa, meaning to pass or bypass. The form ohittaminen combines the verb root with the nominalizing suffix -minen, a common way in Finnish to express “the act of X.” While commonly used in road traffic contexts, the term can also refer to figurative bypassing of obstacles, steps, or procedures.

In driving, ohittamisen refers to one vehicle moving past another on the road. In Finland, overtaking is typically done on the left side in right-hand traffic, and only when it is safe and legal to do so. Drivers must ensure there is enough distance, use turn signals, and not overtake in places where visibility is restricted or where road markings prohibit it. Overtaking is normally prohibited on solid line markings, and in situations where visibility or line markings indicate danger, such as on bends or crests of hills. Violations can result in fines or other penalties under road traffic regulations.

Beyond traffic, ohittamisen can describe any act of bypassing or skipping something, such as bypassing a step in a process, or metaphorically “passing up” an opportunity. The exact sense depends on context and accompanying modifiers.