Etymology
kaataa (“to overturn”) + -ua (reflexive suffix). Possibly already as Proto-Finnic *kaatudak (compare Ingrian kaatua, Karelian kuatuo).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈkɑːtuɑˣ/, [ˈkɑ̝ːt̪uɑ̝(ʔ)]
- Rhymes: -ɑːtuɑ
- Hyphenation(key): kaa‧tua
Verb
kaatua (intransitive)
- to fall from an upright position; to fall down, to fall over
Kaaduin kadulla ja loukkasin polveni.
I fell in the street and hurt my knee.
Puu kaatui syysmyrskyssä.
The tree fell in an autumn storm.
- to fall (die, especially in battle)
Tämä on kaikkien ensimmäisessä maailmansodassa kaatuneiden muistomerkki.
This is a monument to all those who fell in the First World War.
- (of a liquid) to spill
- (of a government) to fall
- (figuratively) to fail, to come to nought, to be frustrated (of an attempt, a plan, or similar)
Suunnitelma kaatui rahan puutteeseen.
The plan failed owing to a lack of funds.
- (computing) to crash
- (nautical) to capsize, keel over
lähde