This is the 272nd most frequent Finnish word.
alkavat
"Alkavat" means "they begin" or "they start" in English.
Here, 'alkavat' is the third-person plural form of the verb 'alkaa', indicating the starting of something.
Opiskelut alkavat syksyllä.
Studies begin in the fall.
In this sentence, 'alkavat' shows the initiation of blooming activity in flowers.
Kukat alkavat kukoistaa keväällä.
Flowers begin to bloom in the spring.
Here, 'alkavat' is used to denote the starting time of sports activities.