opastaa

Opastaa is a Finnish verb meaning to guide, instruct, or lead someone along a path, through a process, or in a situation. The action can refer to giving directions in space, such as showing the way, or to training and mentoring someone or providing explanations for a task. The word derives from the noun opas, meaning guide or adviser, with the common verb-forming suffix -taa.

Usage and nuance: It is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object referring to the person or people being guided. It can describe physical guiding (a guide guiding tourists), instructional guidance (a trainer guiding a learner), or procedural instructions (a supervisor guiding an employee through a task). The sense can range from practical direction to educational or supervisory instruction.

Forms and grammar: The infinitive is opastaa. Present tense forms include opastan, opastat, opastaa. Past tense is opasti (he/she guided or you guided); first-person past is opastin. The passive is opastetaan. The perfect tense uses olla plus the past participle opastettu. The imperative forms are opasta (singular) and opastakaa (plural). The word also yields related forms such as opastus (guidance, tour) and opas (guide).

Examples: Opas opastaa vieraita museossa. The guide guides the visitors in the museum. Tutkijat opastivat työntekijöitä turvallisuusohjeissa. The researchers instructed the employees on safety procedures.

See also: opastus, opas, ohjeistus.