pelaamaan

Pelaamaan is the to-infinitive form of the Finnish verb pelata, meaning to play. The form is used to express the act of playing games or engaging in sports, and it functions as a non-finite verb form that can indicate purpose or direction when used with other verbs. Common constructions include mennä pelaamaan, meaning to go and play, or tulla pelaamaan, meaning to come to play. In sentences, pelaamaan often introduces the activity of playing rather than naming the specific subject.

The to-infinitive is frequently found after verbs of motion or intention, where it signals the purpose or direction of the action. For example, in Hän lähti pelaamaan jalkapalloa (He left to play football) the phrase conveys the activity intended by the subject. Pelaaminen, the noun form derived from pelata, denotes the act of playing itself and can function as the subject or object of a sentence, as in Pelaaminen on tärkeä osa vapaa-aikaa (Playing is an important part of free time).

Pelaamaan covers a range of play contexts, including sports, board games, and video games, though Finnish speakers often prefer pelata when referring to playing the game itself in a more general sense. The related noun pelaaminen is widely used to discuss the activity, its benefits, or its cultural role. See also pelata (the basic infinitive) and pelaaminen (the noun form of the act of playing).