puuskuttaa

Puuskuttaa is a Finnish verb that describes the act of breathing heavily or panting, often due to exertion, excitement, or distress. It can be used to describe the labored breathing of a person who has been running, climbing stairs, or engaging in strenuous physical activity. The sound associated with puuskuttaa is typically a series of short, sharp inhalations and exhalations.

Beyond physical exertion, puuskuttaa can also describe breathing that is difficult or uneven due to emotional states such as fear, anxiety, or intense anger. In such cases, the heavy breathing might be involuntary and a physical manifestation of strong feelings. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation that is struggling to make progress, like a sputtering engine that is barely working.

The intensity of puuskuttaa can vary. A light puuskutus might be a mild shortness of breath, while a more pronounced one suggests significant effort or distress. The term is common in everyday Finnish conversation and literature, making it a widely understood and evocative word for describing a particular type of breathing.