tanssimaan

Tanssimaan is a Finnish verb form built with the suffix -maan added to the stem of the verb tanssia, meaning “to dance.” In Finnish grammar, tanssimaan is a form used to express purpose or intended action, commonly occurring with verbs of motion such as mennä (to go). It is not a standalone finite verb; rather, it functions as an infinitive that conveys the idea of going to dance.

The form is part of the broader system of Finnish infinitives. Tanssimaan is typically translated as “to go dancing” or “to dance (in order to do something).” It appears in sentences that describe plans, intentions, or future actions. For example, Mennään tanssimaan illalla means “Let’s go dancing this evening,” and Hän meni tanssimaan ystäviensä kanssa means “He went dancing with his friends.” In expressions of intention, Finnish speakers often pair the infinitive with a present tense auxiliary, as in Aion mennä tanssimaan (I intend to go dancing) or Menen tanssimaan (I am going to dance).

Usage notes include that tanssimaan expresses purpose rather than a completed action and is used with auxiliary verbs to form complete tenses. It can also appear in negative constructions with appropriate negation, such as En menee tanssimaan (I am not going to dance). The form is common in everyday speech and writing, especially in contexts about social activities or planning leisure time.