samaistua
Samaistua is a Finnish verb meaning to identify with, to feel solidarity with, or to become similar to someone or something. It can describe empathizing with another person’s experiences, as well as adopting attitudes, values, or characteristics of another group or idea. The range of nuance includes recognizing similarity and, in some cases, deeper alignment or assimilation.
Etymology and nuance: The form is built from sama, meaning “the same,” with a suffix that marks
Usage: Samaistua is intransitive and typically governs the entity with which one identifies. Common constructions include
Grammatical notes: In present tense the forms are: minä samaistun, sinä samaistut, hän samaistuu, me samaistumme,
See also: identify as a social or cultural process; see identifioituminen (identification) and related discussions of