Etymology

peli +‎ -ata

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpelɑtɑˣ/, [ˈpe̞lɑ̝t̪ɑ̝(ʔ)]
  • Rhymes: -elɑtɑ
  • Hyphenation(key): pe‧la‧ta

Verb

pelata

  1. (transitive) to play (participate in (a sport or game))
  2. (intransitive, colloquial) to work, to function (operate normally)
  3. (archaic, transitive) to play (music)
    Synonym: soittaa
  4. (archaic, intransitive) to play (of music)
    Synonym: soida

Usage notes

pelata is used for playing organized and rule-bound games, whereas the verb for playing at “children’s games” with no rules or set objectives is leikkiä. Likewise, the noun leikki denotes “children’s games” and peli organized games with rules.

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