peilaantuu

Peilaantuu is a Finnish verb meaning to veer, drift, or deviate from a straight or intended course. It is used to describe both physical movement and abstract deviations, and its subject is the entity that veers. The form peilaantuu corresponds to the third-person singular in the present tense.

In practical usage, peilaantuu often appears in traffic and navigation contexts, where a vehicle or vessel deviates from its lane or planned course. For example, a car may peilaantua vasemmalle in a curve, or a ship may peilaantua kurssistaan when navigating uncertain conditions. Beyond transportation, the verb can describe any shift away from a planned direction or expectation, such as a project peilaantuu from its original goals due to new constraints.

Grammatically, peilaantua is intransitive, with related forms used to express different aspects of the deviation. The noun form peilaantuminen denotes the act of veering, and peilaantuneena can indicate the state of having veered. The past tense is peilaantui, and related expressions can describe gradual or episodic deviations.

In figurative language, peilaantuu is common for discussing changes in plans, policies, or arguments that begin to drift from their initial stance. While it is a standard term in Finnish prose and reporting, it remains a straightforward, descriptive word suitable for describing deviations in many contexts. It should not be confused with peilata, which means to mirror or reflect.