polveutua

Polveutua is a Finnish verb meaning to be descended from or to have one’s origins in a particular family or lineage. It is most commonly used in genealogical, biographical, or historical contexts to express inherited descent rather than geographic origin or personal upbringing. The expression polveutua jostakin suvusta (to be descended from a certain family) is typical in written narratives.

In practice, polveutua can be used to indicate a connection to a specific ancestral line, as in Hän polveutuu vanhasta karjalaisesta suvusta (He is descended from an old Karelian family). The verb can give rise to related forms such as polveutuva (descent-bearing or lineage-related) and polveutuminen (descent or lineal heritage), which appear in more formal or scholarly prose. The concept often appears alongside terms referring to ancestry and origins, such as syntyperä, suku, and sukujuuri.

Etymology and usage notes: polveutua is native Finnish and belongs to the lexicon of kinship and ancestry terms. It is primarily encountered in formal, historical, or genealogical writing rather than everyday speech. The focus is on lineage and inherited line rather than place of birth or residence.

See also: syntyperä, suku, sukujuuri.