tirkistää

Tirkistää is a Finnish verb that describes the action of peeking or looking slyly at something or someone, often from a hidden position. It implies a furtive glance, usually to observe something that is not meant to be seen or to satisfy curiosity discreetly. The act of tirkistää can be motivated by various reasons, including surprise, suspicion, or simple inquisitiveness.

The word can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, one might tirkistää into a room to see if anyone is there, or tirkistää over a fence to get a glimpse of a neighbor's garden. It can also be used metaphorically, such as tirkistää into someone's private affairs. The verb carries a connotation of being quick and not wanting to be noticed.

While tirkistää often suggests a harmless act of curiosity, it can sometimes imply a more intrusive or even unwelcome observation, depending on the situation and intent. The specific nuance can be understood from the surrounding context of the sentence in which it is used. The verb is a common part of everyday Finnish conversation.