B2 Collocation 중립

olla kova tekemään

to be a hard worker

To work very diligently.

🌍

문화적 배경

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'.

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.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tehdä'.

Matti on todella kova _______ töitä.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: tekemään

The phrase 'olla kova' requires the 3rd infinitive illative form (-maan).

Which sentence is a compliment for a hard worker?

Valitse oikea lause:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Hän on kova tekemään tulosta.

'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...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: kova tekemään remonttia.

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'?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Liisa, joka juoksee maratoneja ja käy töissä.

Liisa shows the energy and industriousness associated with the phrase.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Kova vs. Vaikea

Kova tekemään
Describes the person
Hän on kova... He is tough...
Vaikea tehdä
Describes the task
Se on vaikea... It is difficult...

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tehdä'. Fill Blank B1

Matti on todella kova _______ töitä.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: tekemään

The phrase 'olla kova' requires the 3rd infinitive illative form (-maan).

Which sentence is a compliment for a hard worker? Choose B2

Valitse oikea lause:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Hän on kova tekemään tulosta.

'Kova tekemään tulosta' means someone who is great at producing results.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion B1

A: Meillä on paljon remonttia kotona. B: Onneksi sinun miehesi on...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: kova tekemään remonttia.

This is the most natural way to comment on someone's skill and effort in a hobby/task.

Match the phrase to the person. situation_matching A2

Kuka on 'kova tekemään'?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Liisa, joka juoksee maratoneja ja käy töissä.

Liisa shows the energy and industriousness associated with the phrase.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, 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).

관련 표현

🔗

ahkera kuin muurahainen

similar

Hardworking as an ant.

🔄

painaa hommia

synonym

To push/do jobs (hard).

🔗

saada aikaan

builds on

To get things done.

🔗

olla laiska

contrast

To be lazy.

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