vaihtui

Vaihtui is the past tense form of the Finnish verb vaihtua. Vaihtua means to change, to become different, to shift, or to be replaced. Vaihtui specifically marks a completed change for a singular subject in the past and is used for intransitive changes rather than for deliberate substitution of one item with another.

Etymology and related forms: The verb derives from vaihto, meaning change or exchange, and is related to nouns and other verb forms such as vaihtuminen (a change) and vaihtuva (changing). The core idea is a transition from one state to another.

Usage and nuances: Vaihtua describes changes in state, appearance, conditions, or situations, often implying a transition from one condition to another. It tends to emphasize the process or result of a change rather than an act of swapping items. For swapping items actively, Finnish uses vaihtaa (to exchange). In many contexts, vaihtua conveys that something became different as a natural development, policy or circumstance shifted, or a system was transformed.

Examples:

- Väri vaihtui punaisesta siniseksi. (The color changed from red to blue.)

- Laitteisto vaihtui uuteen malliin. (The hardware was replaced with a new model.)

- Tilanne vaihtui nopeasti viime viikkoina. (The situation changed quickly in recent weeks.)

See also: muutos, vaihtaminen, vaihto, vaihtelu.