tarkasteltava

The Finnish word tarkasteltava is a multifaceted adjective derived from the passive present participle of the verb tarkastella (to examine, to look at, or to view). At its core, it refers to something that is currently being looked at, or something that is scheduled or required to be examined. In English, it is most frequently translated as 'under consideration', 'under examination', 'to be reviewed', or 'the object of study'. Because Finnish uses participles as adjectives very effectively, this word encapsulates a whole phrase in English into a single Finnish word.

Grammatical Origin

It is the passive present participle of 'tarkastella'. The suffix '-tava' indicates that the action is either currently happening to the object or is a necessity/possibility for the future.

You will encounter this word most often in professional, academic, and administrative contexts. It is the bread and butter of meeting agendas, scientific papers, and legal documents. When a committee says they have a 'tarkasteltava asia', they mean a matter that is on the table for discussion and scrutiny. It implies a level of depth; you aren't just glancing at the object, you are analyzing it. It suggests a systematic approach to looking at the details of a subject.

In everyday life, you might hear it when discussing options. If you are buying a house, the houses you are currently considering are 'tarkasteltavat kohteet'. However, it retains a slightly formal tone. If you use it in a casual conversation with friends about what movie to watch, it might sound a bit like you are treating the movie choice like a government inquiry. This formality makes it essential for C1-level learners who wish to navigate Finnish professional life or higher education.

Understanding the nuance between 'tarkasteltava' and its close relative 'tarkastettava' is key. While 'tarkastettava' (from tarkastaa) often implies a check-up or an audit for errors (like a car inspection or a tax audit), 'tarkasteltava' (from tarkastella) implies a more contemplative, analytical, or observational examination. One is about verifying correctness; the other is about understanding or evaluating the nature of the thing.

Contextual Usage

Used when defining the scope of a project, the subject of a debate, or the specific data points in a graph.

Finally, the word is highly flexible in its declension. It behaves like a standard adjective, meaning it must agree in case and number with the noun it modifies. This leads to forms like 'tarkasteltavassa' (in the one being examined) or 'tarkasteltavia' (those being examined, partitive plural). Mastery of these forms allows for precise communication in complex Finnish sentences.

Using tarkasteltava correctly requires placing it before the noun it describes, acting as an attributive adjective. It answers the question 'Which one?' or 'What kind of thing?'. Specifically, it identifies the object as the target of an ongoing or planned analytical process. For example, in a sentence like 'The period under consideration is 2010-2020', the Finnish equivalent would be 'Tarkasteltava ajanjakso on 2010-2020'. Notice how the single word 'tarkasteltava' replaces the entire English prepositional phrase 'under consideration'.

Agreement Rule

The word must match the noun in case. For example: 'Tarkasteltavassa tapauksessa' (In the case under examination).

One common pattern is using it with abstract nouns like kysymys (question), asia (matter), ilmiö (phenomenon), or aineisto (material/data). In academic writing, you will often start a paragraph by defining the 'tarkasteltava kohde' (the object of study). This sets the boundaries for the reader, indicating exactly what the author is focusing on at that moment. It functions as a linguistic pointer, focusing the audience's attention on a specific subset of information.

Another sophisticated use is in the plural partitive: 'tarkasteltavia'. This is used when there are many things to be examined, but the sentence doesn't refer to all of them as a closed set, or when the verb requires the partitive case. For instance, 'Löysimme useita tarkasteltavia epäkohtia' (We found several flaws to be examined). Here, the word acts to qualify the 'epäkohtia' (flaws), providing a reason why they are being mentioned: they are targets for future analysis.

In more complex sentences, 'tarkasteltava' can be modified by adverbs. You might have something that is 'kriittisesti tarkasteltava' (to be critically examined) or 'huolellisesti tarkasteltava' (to be carefully examined). This allows the speaker to not only identify the object but also specify the *manner* in which the examination should take place. This is a hallmark of high-level C1 Finnish, where nuance is added through layers of modifiers.

Sentence Position

Almost always precedes the noun. Exception: when used as a predicative after 'olla' (to be), e.g., 'Tämä asia on tarkasteltava' (This matter is to be examined).

Finally, consider the passive voice implications. Since it is a passive participle, the 'agent' (the person doing the examining) is often omitted or implied by the context. If you say 'tarkasteltava laki' (the law under review), the focus is entirely on the law itself, not on the specific politicians or lawyers doing the reviewing. This makes it an objective and professional choice for formal communication.

If you were to step into a Finnish boardroom, a university lecture hall, or a government office, you would hear tarkasteltava quite frequently. It is a staple of 'officialese' (kapulakieli) but also of precise scientific discourse. In a meeting, the chairperson might say, 'Seuraava tarkasteltava kohta on...' to transition to the next item on the agenda. It signals a shift in focus and prepares the participants to engage their analytical minds.

Professional Meetings

Used to identify the specific proposal, budget line, or strategy that is currently the topic of discussion.

In the world of Finnish news (like Yle Uutiset), journalists use this word when reporting on ongoing investigations or policy reviews. You might hear about 'tarkasteltava lakimuutos' (the law change under consideration) or 'tarkasteltava tilanne' (the situation being monitored). It provides a way for the reporter to remain neutral and descriptive, indicating that the subject is currently under the microscope of some authority or public debate.

Academic environments are perhaps where the word is most saturated. Every thesis, dissertation, and research paper in Finnish has a 'tarkasteltava aineisto' (data to be examined) and a 'tarkasteltava ilmiö' (phenomenon under study). Professors will use it during lectures to point out specific variables in a model. 'Kun katsomme tätä kuvaajaa, tarkasteltava muuttuja on pystyakselilla' (When we look at this graph, the variable under examination is on the vertical axis).

Legal and bureaucratic texts use it to define the 'subject matter' of a case or a permit application. If you are applying for a building permit in Finland, the 'tarkasteltava rakennussuunnitelma' is your blueprint. The officials use this term to maintain a professional distance, treating the plan as an object of objective scrutiny according to the law.

Literature and Essays

In non-fiction or analytical essays, authors use it to guide the reader through their argument, highlighting specific themes or passages.

While you won't often hear a child say this word on a playground, you might hear a parent use it when being particularly serious or explanatory: 'Tämä on nyt se tarkasteltava asia, josta meidän pitää keskustella' (This is now the matter under consideration that we need to talk about). It adds weight and importance to the topic at hand, signaling that it's time for serious thought rather than just casual chat.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing tarkasteltava with tarkastettava. While they look nearly identical, the difference lies in the base verb. Tarkastella (the base for 'tarkasteltava') means to observe, examine, or contemplate. Tarkastaa (the base for 'tarkastettava') means to inspect, audit, or check for correctness. If you say a document is 'tarkastettava', you are saying it needs to be checked for errors. If you say it is 'tarkasteltava', you are saying it is the subject of discussion or analysis.

The 'L' Factor

Remember that the 'l' in 'tarkasteltava' comes from the frequentative verb 'tarkastella', which implies a continuous or multi-faceted looking at something, rather than a one-time check.

Another mistake is failing to decline the word to match the noun. Since Finnish is a highly inflected language, 'tarkasteltava' must change its ending. A common error is leaving it in the nominative case when the noun is in an oblique case. For example, saying 'tarkasteltava asiassa' instead of 'tarkasteltavassa asiassa' is a clear sign of a lower proficiency level. At C1, precision in case agreement is expected, especially with such a formal word.

Learners also sometimes overuse the word in casual contexts. Using 'tarkasteltava' when you just mean 'this' or 'that' can make you sound overly robotic or like you are trying too hard to sound academic. If you are talking about a sandwich you are about to eat, calling it 'tarkasteltava voileipä' would be seen as a joke or a linguistic oddity. Use it when there is actual analysis or official consideration involved.

A subtle mistake involves the word order. In English, we often place the qualifying phrase after the noun ('the topic under consideration'). In Finnish, the participle almost always comes before the noun ('tarkasteltava aihe'). Putting it after the noun ('aihe tarkasteltava') is grammatically incorrect unless it is part of a specific predicative structure with the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'Tämä aihe on tarkasteltava').

Confusion with 'Huomioitava'

'Huomioitava' means 'to be noted' or 'noteworthy'. While similar, it doesn't imply the same level of active examination that 'tarkasteltava' does.

Finally, be careful with the plural partitive form 'tarkasteltavia'. It is often used after words like 'paljon' (much/many) or 'useita' (several). Forgetting to use the partitive plural and instead using the nominative plural is a frequent slip-up. 'Useita tarkasteltavat asiat' is incorrect; it must be 'Useita tarkasteltavia asioita'.

The Finnish language is rich with participles that function as adjectives, and several are close in meaning to tarkasteltava. Choosing the right one depends on the specific type of 'looking' or 'considering' you are doing. The most common alternative is tutkittava. While 'tarkasteltava' means to examine or view, 'tutkittava' means 'to be researched' or 'under investigation'. Use 'tutkittava' when there is a formal scientific or criminal investigation involved.

tarkasteltava vs. tutkittava

'Tarkasteltava' is broader and more observational. 'Tutkittava' is deeper and implies a formal research process or inquiry.

Another similar word is käsiteltävä. This comes from the verb käsitellä (to handle, process, or discuss). If a matter is 'käsiteltävä', it is currently being dealt with, often in a meeting or a legal process. While 'tarkasteltava' focuses on the act of looking and analyzing, 'käsiteltävä' focuses on the act of processing or making a decision about the matter.

Huomioitava is also related, meaning 'to be taken into account' or 'noteworthy'. If you have a list of facts and one is particularly important, it is 'huomioitava seikka'. This differs from 'tarkasteltava' because it doesn't necessarily mean you are analyzing that fact, just that you are acknowledging its importance in the context of your work.

For a more critical tone, you might use arvioitava (to be evaluated/assessed). If you are judging the quality of something, 'arvioitava' is more precise than 'tarkasteltava'. For example, 'arvioitava suoritus' (a performance to be evaluated). 'Tarkasteltava' is more neutral; it just says we are looking at it, whereas 'arvioitava' says we are looking at it to determine its value or quality.

Comparison of Participles

• Tarkasteltava: Being looked at/considered (neutral/analytical).
• Tarkastettava: Needs to be checked/inspected (audit/verification).
• Tutkittava: To be researched/investigated (deep inquiry).
• Käsiteltävä: To be handled/discussed (procedural).

In some contexts, you can simply use tämä (this) or kyseessä oleva (the one in question). However, 'tarkasteltava' is the most professional and precise choice when you want to highlight that the object is the specific focus of an analytical lens. Using these alternatives correctly will make your Finnish sound more natural and sophisticated, moving you firmly into the C1/C2 range.