riipuu

Riipuu is a Finnish verb that covers two related meanings: to hang or be suspended from a support, and to depend on or hinge on something. In everyday language, the physical sense is common when describing objects that hang from a surface, while the figurative sense is used to express conditionality or dependency.

In the physical sense, riipua is used for items attached by a string, rope, or other support. For example, taulu riippuu seinästä means a picture hangs on the wall. Other everyday uses describe anything that dangles or is suspended, such as a lamp or a cord that hangs from a fixture.

In the figurative sense, riipuu expresses dependence on conditions, factors, or choices. Common constructions include statements like päätös riippuu lopulta olosuhteista, meaning “the decision ultimately depends on the circumstances.” The verb can describe how outcomes or options are contingent on various influences.

Related forms include the adjective riippuvainen, meaning dependent, and the infinitive riipua, from which the sense of hanging or depending is derived. The word belongs to the core Finnish verb system and is widely used in both everyday speech and more formal or written Finnish.

Etymologically, riipua is a native Finnish verb with cognates in other Finnic languages, reflecting a long-standing lexical root associated with hanging and dependence. The term is an integral part of common idiomatic expressions as well as precise descriptions of physical arrangements and conditional situations.

See also: Finnish grammar, riippua, riippuvainen, dependent concepts in Finnish.