vitsailevat

Vitsailevat is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Finnish verb vitsailla, which means to joke, to banter, or to tell jokes. The form is used when referring to a group that is currently joking or engaging in humorous banter.

The word vitsailla is formed from the noun vitsi, meaning a joke, with the verb-forming suffix -illa. Related forms include vitsailee (he/she jokes), vitsaillut (joked, past participle), and the noun vitsi (joke) as well as vitsailu, which denotes the act of joking or light banter.

In usage, vitsailevat typically conveys a light, informal tone. It can describe friendly humor among friends, colleagues, or family, and may range from harmless jokes to mild teasing, depending on context and tone. The expression is common in everyday Finnish speech and writing, especially in descriptions of group interactions or ongoing conversations.

Examples in context:

- Kaverit vitsailevat koko illan. (Friends joke around all evening.)

- He vitsailevat työpaikalla, mutta hyväntahtoisesti. (They joke at work, but in good spirits.)

- Lapset vitsailevat toisilleen välitunnilla. (Children tease and joke with each other during recess.)

Vitsailevat serves as a neutral, descriptive term for a group engaging in humor. Its connotations are largely determined by the surrounding language and situation, but it generally signals playful, voluntary joking rather than aggressive or hostile behavior.