pitään

pitään is a Finnish verb that translates to "to keep," "to hold," or "to like" in English, depending on the context. It is a highly versatile and frequently used verb in the Finnish language.

As "to keep" or "to hold," pitään can refer to the physical act of retaining possession of something. For example, "Pidän kirjaa" means "I am holding a book." It can also denote maintaining a state or condition, such as "Pidän oven auki," meaning "I am keeping the door open."

In the sense of "to like," pitään is used to express fondness or preference for something or someone. This is often followed by the allative case. For instance, "Pidän musiikista" translates to "I like music." Similarly, "Pidän hänestä" means "I like him/her."

The conjugation of pitään follows typical Finnish verb patterns. It changes based on person, number, and tense. Common tenses include the present tense, past tense, and future tense. The verb is also used in various grammatical constructions, including passive voice and conditional moods. Understanding the nuances of pitään is crucial for comprehending and speaking Finnish effectively.