välähtää

välähtää is a Finnish verb that describes a sudden, brief flash or gleam of light. It can refer to natural phenomena like lightning or the glint of sunlight off an object. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a sudden idea or realization. The verb is derived from the root word "välähdys," which means flash.

The primary meaning of "välähtää" relates to light. For instance, one might say "Salama välähti taivaalla" which translates to "Lightning flashed in the sky." Similarly, "Auringonvalo välähti veden pinnasta" means "Sunlight gleamed off the surface of the water." The transient nature of the light is key to the verb's meaning.

Beyond literal light, "välähtää" can also signify a sudden mental event. If someone has a quick insight, it might be described as "Hänelle välähti ratkaisu ongelmaan" or "The solution to the problem flashed to him/her." This metaphorical usage conveys the instantaneous and unexpected nature of the thought. The verb's conjugations follow standard Finnish verb patterns. It is a common word used in everyday conversation and literature.