väännä

Väännä is a Finnish word that can be translated to several English terms depending on the context. Most commonly, it translates to "twist," "turn," or "wring." It describes the action of rotating something forcefully or applying pressure to change its shape or position.

In a literal sense, "väännä" can refer to the physical act of twisting a knob, wringing out a wet cloth, or turning a screw. For example, one might "väännä kahvaa" (twist the handle) or "väännä pyyhe kuivaksi" (wring the towel dry).

Figuratively, "väännä" can also denote a more complex process, such as struggling with a difficult task, trying to find a solution, or even a heated debate or argument. In this sense, it implies effort, exertion, and a degree of difficulty. One might say they are "vääntämässä ratkaisua" (struggling to find a solution) or that a discussion has become a "vääntö" (a wrangling or a tug-of-war).

The word can also appear in idiomatic expressions. For instance, "vääntää rautalangasta" means to explain something in very simple terms, as if bending wire. The specific nuance of "väännä" is thus heavily dependent on its surrounding words and the situation in which it is used.