Bedeutung
To work very diligently.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is linked to 'Sisu'. In Finland, complaining about work is often seen as a sign of weakness, whereas being 'kova tekemään' is a sign of silent strength. In the countryside, being 'kova tekemään' often refers to physical stamina in farming or forestry, which are still highly respected skills. Finns value 'itseohjautuvuus' (self-direction). Someone who is 'kova tekemään' doesn't need a boss to tell them what to do next. The phrase has moved into the digital world. Prolific coders or content creators are now described with this traditional 'toughness' language.
The 'Vowel Harmony' Rule
Remember that 'tekemään' has 'ä' because 'tehdä' has neutral/front vowels. If the verb was 'lukemaan', it would have 'a' because of 'u'.
Use it in Cover Letters
Writing 'Olen kova tekemään töitä' in a Finnish job application sounds much more natural and 'Finnish' than just saying you are 'ahkera'.
Bedeutung
To work very diligently.
The 'Vowel Harmony' Rule
Remember that 'tekemään' has 'ä' because 'tehdä' has neutral/front vowels. If the verb was 'lukemaan', it would have 'a' because of 'u'.
Use it in Cover Letters
Writing 'Olen kova tekemään töitä' in a Finnish job application sounds much more natural and 'Finnish' than just saying you are 'ahkera'.
Don't overdo 'Kova'
If you use 'kova' for everything, you might sound like you're trying too hard. Save it for people who truly stand out.
The Sisu Connection
When you use this phrase, you're acknowledging the Finnish value of perseverance. It's a deep compliment.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tehdä'.
Matti on todella kova _______ töitä.
The phrase 'olla kova' requires the 3rd infinitive illative form (-maan).
Which sentence is a compliment for a hard worker?
Valitse oikea lause:
'Kova tekemään tulosta' means someone who is great at producing results.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Meillä on paljon remonttia kotona. B: Onneksi sinun miehesi on...
This is the most natural way to comment on someone's skill and effort in a hobby/task.
Match the phrase to the person.
Kuka on 'kova tekemään'?
Liisa shows the energy and industriousness associated with the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Kova vs. Vaikea
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMatti on todella kova _______ töitä.
The phrase 'olla kova' requires the 3rd infinitive illative form (-maan).
Valitse oikea lause:
'Kova tekemään tulosta' means someone who is great at producing results.
A: Meillä on paljon remonttia kotona. B: Onneksi sinun miehesi on...
This is the most natural way to comment on someone's skill and effort in a hobby/task.
Kuka on 'kova tekemään'?
Liisa shows the energy and industriousness associated with the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you can use it for hobbies (kova lukemaan), sports (kova juoksemaan), or even household tasks (kova siivoamaan).
Yes, but it's sarcastic or critical. It means someone is 'prolific' at making mistakes.
'Ahkera' is a standard adjective for 'diligent'. 'Kova tekemään' is more idiomatic and implies more energy and 'toughness'.
Finnish grammar requires the 3rd infinitive illative case after the adjective 'kova' when describing a tendency.
Yes, it is widely used in professional contexts to describe a strong work ethic.
No, in this context 'kova' means tough, durable, or intense, not mean-spirited.
Yes, 'Olen kova tekemään töitä' is a common way to describe yourself in an interview.
Hän ei ole kovin kova tekemään töitä.
Yes: 'He ovat kovia tekemään töitä.' Note that 'kova' becomes 'kovia'.
Absolutely. Any verb in the -maan/-mään form works: kova puhumaan (talkative), kova syömään (big eater).
Verwandte Redewendungen
ahkera kuin muurahainen
similarHardworking as an ant.
painaa hommia
synonymTo push/do jobs (hard).
saada aikaan
builds onTo get things done.
olla laiska
contrastTo be lazy.
