tiedustelee

Tiedustelee is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Finnish verb tiedustella, meaning "to inquire," "to ask about," or in certain contexts "to reconnoitre" or "to scout." It is used to describe someone or something making inquiries or collecting information, for example about schedules, circumstances, or observations.

In everyday language tiedustella is somewhat more formal or investigative than the simple verb kysyä ("to ask"); it often implies seeking information in a deliberate or official way. Common constructions include tiedustelee + partitive or accusative object (e.g., "Hän tiedustelee aikatauluja" — "He/she inquires about schedules") and tiedustelee joltakulta ("inquires from someone"). In journalism, administration and law enforcement the verb frequently appears when describing requests for information or witness contacts, while in military contexts tiedustelee can refer to reconnaissance activities ("Lentokone tiedustelee aluetta" — "The aircraft is scouting the area").

The word is related to the noun tiedustelu ("inquiry, reconnaissance") and participates in standard Finnish verb conjugation patterns. Synonyms include kysyä and tiedustella in other persons; nuances depend on formality and intent. Translations into English typically render tiedustelee as "inquires," "asks about," or "is surveying."