istua
/ˈistuɑˣ/
The Finnish verb for 'sit' is istua.
The verb istua describes a person being in a position where the upper body is upright and the legs are supported.
Meaning: of a person, be in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported (verb)
Which one should you use?
While istua is the infinitive form, you can use different imperative forms depending on who you are addressing. Istu is used for a single person in an informal setting, while Istukaa is used to address multiple people or to show respect in a formal way.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on the subject in the present tense. Use istun for 'I sit/am sitting', istut for 'you sit/are sitting' (singular), istuu for 'he/she sits/is sitting' and istuvat for 'they sit/are sitting'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈistuɑˣ/
Did you know?
- While istua means 'to sit', Finnish has a specific separate verb istuttaa which means 'to plant' something in the ground, essentially making the plant 'sit' in the soil.
- In Finnish, istua is used for the physical act of sitting, but the verb istua vankilassa is the standard way to say someone is 'serving time' in prison.
- The verb istua can also be used to describe how clothes or a garment 'fits' or 'sits' on a person's body, such as saying a suit 'istuu hyvin' (sits well).
Examples in context
- Sinä voit istua tässä.You can sit here.This sentence shows how to use istua to state that someone is able to sit in a specific place.Tatoeba #3319537 by Orava, translation #3222933 by CK
- Voinko minä istua tässä?May I sit here?This sentence uses istua to ask for permission to sit in a specific place.Tatoeba #7745178 by Thanuir, translation #61514 by CK
- Sopiiko minun istua tähän?Do you mind if I sit here?This sentence uses istua to ask if sitting in a specific place is acceptable.Tatoeba #4381496 by Silja, translation #2192242 by acbarbosa
- Istukaa, kiitosPlease, sit.
- Istukaa, kiitos. Tilaisuus alkaa pian.Please, sit. The event will begin shortly.
- Istu alas. Olen juuri valmis.Sit down. I'm just about ready.
- Istu, ole hyvä. Tarvitsetko jotain juotavaa?Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Juho are in a waiting room.
- EmmaHaluatko istua tämän tuolin päällä?Do you want to sit on this chair?
- JuhoKyllä, kiitos.Yes, thank you.
- EmmaMinäkin tulen istumaan viereen.I will come and sit next to you.
- JuhoSe sopii hyvin.That works well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sit” translations and entries istua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
