vuorotellen

Vuorotellen is a Finnish adverb meaning “alternating” or “in turn.” It describes actions carried out by different people or things in a sequence, with each participant taking a turn in a repeating order. The related verb is vuorotella, which means “to take turns” or “to alternate.”

Use of vuorotellen is common in everyday life, work, games, sports, and any situation where tasks or duties are shared among participants. Examples include: “Me teemme ruokaa vuorotellen” (We take turns cooking), “Pelaajat vuorottelevat pelissä” (The players take turns in the game), and “Tehtävät jaetaan vuorotellen” (The tasks are divided in turns). It can also describe procedural patterns, such as shifts or rotations in a schedule.

Nuances and related terms: vuorotellen emphasizes a sequential rhythm and equal participation rather than simultaneous action. It is often used to explain routines, instructions, or arrangements where participants alternate responsibilities or roles. Related nouns include vuoro (a turn, shift) and vuorottelu (the act of alternating or rotating), which provide broader context for discussions of scheduling, work patterns, or cooperative activities.

See also: vuoro, vuorottelu.