This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Finnish
Vocabulary
kannattava

B2 adjective 8 min read

kannattava

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips kannattava in 30 Seconds

Explanation kannattava in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'kannattava' as a way to say 'good' for business or 'a good idea' when money is involved. Even though this is a B2 word, you might hear it when people talk about shopping or working. Imagine you have a small lemonade stand. If you spend 5 euros on lemons and sell the juice for 10 euros, your stand is 'kannattava.' It means you made more money than you spent. You can use it simply: 'Tämä on kannattava kauppa' (This is a good/profitable deal). It is a long word, but you can remember it by the first part 'kannattaa,' which people say when they mean 'it's worth it.' In very simple Finnish, 'kannattava' is like saying 'it gives you something back.' You don't need to use it in complex grammar yet, just recognize that it is a positive word for money and effort. If someone asks 'Onko se kannattavaa?', they are asking 'Is it a good idea to do this?' usually with money or time in mind.

At the A2 level, you start to see how 'kannattava' behaves as an adjective. You might use it to describe a job or a hobby that could eventually become a career. You should learn the basic opposite: 'kannattamaton' (not profitable). At this level, you can use it in simple 'olla' (to be) sentences. For example, 'Minun työni on kannattavaa' (My work is profitable/worthwhile). You are also beginning to learn about the partitive case. Remember that if you are talking about an action in general, like 'Sijoittaminen on kannattavaa' (Investing is profitable), the word ends in -a. This is a very useful word when you are talking about your daily life and making choices. You can use it to justify why you do something: 'Se on kannattavaa, koska säästän aikaa' (It is worthwhile because I save time). You are moving beyond just 'hyvä' (good) and starting to use more specific words to describe why something is good.

By B1, you should be able to use 'kannattava' in more varied contexts, such as discussing the economy, your studies, or long-term plans. You understand that it comes from the verb 'kannattaa' (to be worth it/to support). You can now use the comparative form 'kannattavampi' (more profitable) to compare two options. For example: 'Onko säästäminen kannattavampaa kuin kuluttaminen?' (Is saving more worthwhile than spending?). You also recognize the difference between 'kannattava' and 'hyödyllinen' (useful). You might use it in a work interview to describe your previous projects: 'Saimme projektista kannattavan puolessa vuodessa' (We made the project profitable in half a year). At this level, you are expected to handle the adjective declension correctly in most common cases, such as the genitive 'kannattavan yrityksen' or the translative 'muuttui kannattavaksi.' You are becoming more precise in your professional and academic Finnish.

At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'kannattava.' You can use it to discuss complex business models, investment strategies, and socio-economic viability. You understand the subtle distinction between 'kannattava' (profitable) and 'kannatettava' (commendable/supportable) and can avoid confusing them. You are comfortable using the word in professional writing, such as reports or business emails. You can also use it idiomatically, such as 'vaivan kannattava' (though 'vaivan arvoinen' is more common, 'kannattava' is used in specific evaluative contexts). You understand that 'kannattavuus' (profitability) is a key metric and can discuss factors that affect it, such as 'kustannustehokkuus' (cost-efficiency). Your sentences are more complex: 'Vaikka alkuinvestointi oli suuri, hanke osoittautui lopulta erittäin kannattavaksi globaalien markkinoiden ansiosta' (Although the initial investment was large, the project eventually proved very profitable thanks to global markets).

At the C1 level, 'kannattava' is a tool for sophisticated analysis. You can use it to critique economic policies or philosophical concepts of 'value.' You might discuss whether a certain lifestyle is 'kannattava' in terms of 'henkinen pääoma' (mental capital) versus 'aineellinen hyvinvointi' (material well-being). You use the word fluently in all cases and can easily switch between synonyms like 'tuottoisa,' 'mielekäs,' or 'tulosvastuullinen' depending on the register. You are sensitive to the word's placement in a sentence to create emphasis. You might use it in rhetorical questions or as part of a complex argument about sustainability: 'Onko ekologisesti kestämätön toiminta koskaan todella kannattavaa, jos huomioimme pitkän aikavälin ympäristökustannukset?' (Is ecologically unsustainable activity ever truly profitable if we consider long-term environmental costs?). Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'kannattava' as a baseline from which you build more intricate descriptions of success and viability.

At the C2 level, your command of 'kannattava' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand its historical roots and how its usage has evolved in Finnish corporate and political jargon. You can use it with irony or in highly specialized academic contexts, such as discussing the 'kannattavuusraja' (break-even point) in economic theory. You can effortlessly integrate it into complex legal or financial documents. You also recognize its use in older literature or formal speeches where it might carry a weightier, more moral tone. You can play with the word, creating compound words or using it in creative ways to describe the 'profitability' of a relationship or a cultural movement. You are also aware of the international context, knowing how to translate the specific Finnish nuances of 'kannattava' into other languages without losing the sense of 'carrying its own weight.' Your use of the word is precise, elegant, and contextually perfect.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

kannattava in 30 Seconds

Means 'profitable' or 'worthwhile' in financial and general contexts.
Derived from the verb 'kannattaa' (to support/be worth it).
Used to describe businesses, investments, and time-saving actions.
Crucial for business Finnish and evaluating the viability of choices.

The Finnish adjective kannattava is a cornerstone of both the financial lexicon and everyday decision-making in Finland. At its most literal level, it translates to 'profitable,' 'lucrative,' or 'remunerative.' However, its semantic reach extends far beyond the balance sheets of a corporation. It originates from the verb kannattaa, which means 'to carry,' 'to support,' or 'to be worthwhile.' When you describe something as kannattava, you are essentially saying that the result or the gain 'carries' the weight of the effort, time, or money invested into it.

Financial Context: In business, a 'kannattava yritys' is a company that generates more revenue than it spends. It is the primary goal of any commercial enterprise. If a project is not 'kannattava,' it is often labeled as 'tappiollinen' (loss-making).
Personal Utility: Outside of money, it refers to whether an action is worth the trouble. For instance, taking a shortcut might be 'kannattava' if it saves significant time without added risk.

Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at the Finnish mindset regarding efficiency and pragmatism. Finns often value 'järkevyys' (sensibleness), and kannattava is the adjective used to validate that a choice aligns with logical gain. It is not just about being 'good'; it is about being 'effective' and 'justified' by the outcome.

Uusi aurinkopaneelijärjestelmä osoittautui erittäin kannattavaksi investoinniksi pitkällä aikavälillä.

The word is also frequently used in the superlative form, kannattavin (the most profitable/worthwhile), especially when comparing different strategies or investment options. In the modern Finnish startup scene, discussions often revolve around how to make a business model 'skaalautuva ja kannattava' (scalable and profitable).

Temporal Aspect: Often used with time-related adverbs like 'pitkällä tähtäimellä' (in the long run) to indicate that while the immediate cost is high, the eventual return makes it worthwhile.

Onko opiskelu aina taloudellisesti kannattavaa?

In summary, use this word when you want to emphasize that the benefits—whether they are euros, minutes, or emotional satisfaction—outweigh the costs. It is a word of validation and strategic approval.

Using kannattava correctly involves understanding its role as an adjective that modifies a noun or acts as a predicate. Because it ends in -va (a present participle ending that has become a standard adjective), it follows standard Finnish adjective declension rules. It must agree with the noun it describes in case and number.

Attributive Use: When placed before a noun: 'kannattava liiketoiminta' (profitable business). If the business is in the partitive case, the adjective must be too: 'Etsimme kannattavaa liiketoimintaa' (We are looking for a profitable business).

He tekivät kannattavan sopimuksen ulkomaisen yrityksen kanssa.

In many sentences, kannattava appears after the verb 'olla' (to be). In these cases, pay attention to whether the subject is a concrete noun or an abstract concept. If you are saying 'This is profitable,' you use the nominative 'Tämä on kannattavaa' (partitive) if the 'this' refers to an action or an abstract idea. If it refers to a specific countable thing, like a shop, you might say 'Tämä kauppa on kannattava.'

Comparative and Superlative: Comparative: 'kannattavampi' (more profitable). Superlative: 'kannattavin' (most profitable). Example: 'Mikä on kaikista kannattavin sijoituskohde?'

Commonly paired verbs include osoittautua (to turn out to be), muuttua (to change into), and tulla (to become). For example: 'Yrityksestä tuli kannattava kolmen vuoden jälkeen' (The company became profitable after three years). Note the translative case if the state changes: 'Se muuttui kannattavaksi.'

Onko se todella vaivan kannattavaa? (Is it really worth the effort?)

Finally, remember that in Finnish, the word can also be used to describe people in very specific contexts, though it is rare. You might hear 'kannattava asiakas' (a profitable customer), referring to someone who brings in a lot of business. However, it is almost never used to describe a person's character.

If you turn on the Finnish news program Uutiset or read the financial section of Helsingin Sanomat, you will encounter kannattava daily. It is the pulse of the 'Talous' (Economy) section. Journalists use it to discuss quarterly reports, the viability of state-funded projects, and the health of the national economy.

The Boardroom: In professional meetings, managers ask: 'Miten saamme tästä projektista kannattavan?' (How can we make this project profitable?). It is a word that demands a plan and a return on investment.

Analyytikoiden mukaan osake on nyt erittäin kannattava ostos.

Another common environment is the popular TV show Leijonan luola (the Finnish version of Shark Tank or Dragons' Den). The 'lions' (investors) constantly grill entrepreneurs about their 'kannattavuus' (profitability). They want to know if the business model is kannattava enough to risk their capital. You'll hear phrases like 'Ei näytä kovin kannattavalta' (Doesn't look very profitable).

In political debates, the word is a weapon. Politicians argue whether a proposed tax cut or a new infrastructure project like a railway line is kannattava for the taxpayers. Here, it takes on a broader meaning of 'socio-economically viable.' If a policy is deemed 'kannattamaton' (unprofitable/not worthwhile), it is likely to be cut from the budget.

Everyday Shopping: Even at a flea market (kirpputori), a Finn might think: 'Onko tämän korjaaminen kannattavaa?' (Is fixing this worth it?). It reflects a culture that dislikes waste and values practical utility.

Maatalous ei ole enää yhtä kannattavaa kuin ennen.

Whether you are talking about a billion-euro merger or whether to buy a bulk pack of coffee, kannattava is the word that defines the logic of the choice.

The most frequent error English speakers make with kannattava is confusing it with its close cousin, kannatettava. While they both come from the same root verb kannattaa, their suffixes change the meaning entirely. Kannattava means 'yielding profit,' while kannatettava means 'worthy of support' or 'commendable.' If you say a business idea is 'kannatettava,' you are saying it's a nice idea that people should support; if you say it's 'kannattava,' you are saying it will make money.

The 'Vaiva' Trap: Learners often forget that when saying 'It is worth the effort,' you need the genitive case for 'effort' (vaiva). It should be 'vaivan kannattavaa' or more commonly 'vaivan arvoista.' Using just 'kannattava' without the correct case structure can sound clumsy.

VIRHE: Tämä on kannatettava sijoitus. (Unless you mean people should support it for moral reasons.)
KORJAUS: Tämä on kannattava sijoitus. (It makes money.)

Another mistake is the over-application of the partitive case. While 'Tämä on kannattavaa' is correct for abstract actions, if you are describing a specific masculine/feminine-equivalent noun (though Finnish has no gender), like 'sopimus' (contract), you must use the nominative: 'Sopimus on kannattava.' Beginners often default to the partitive 'kannattavaa' for everything, which sounds like 'The contract is some profitable.'

Finally, avoid using kannattava when you mean 'cheap' (halpa) or 'a good deal' (edullinen). A 'kannattava' price is one that is good for the seller, not necessarily the buyer! If you find a bargain, you've made a 'hyvät kaupat' (good trade), but the item itself isn't 'kannattava'—the act of buying it might be.

Prepositional Errors: In English, we say 'profitable FOR someone.' In Finnish, you use the allative case (-lle). 'Se on kannattavaa minulle.' Some learners try to use 'varten' (for the purpose of), which is incorrect here.

Onko tämä kannattavaa yritykselle? (Is this profitable for the company?)

To enrich your Finnish, it is essential to know when to swap kannattava for a more specific synonym. Depending on whether you're talking about money, effort, or moral value, different words will serve you better.

Tuottoisa vs. Kannattava: 'Tuottoisa' specifically means 'productive' or 'yielding a high return.' Use it for investments or fertile soil. While 'kannattava' means it's above the break-even point, 'tuottoisa' suggests it's making a lot of money.
Hyödyllinen vs. Kannattava: 'Hyödyllinen' means 'useful.' A hammer is hyödyllinen, but it's not 'kannattava' unless you're selling it or using it to build a profitable house. Use 'hyödyllinen' for tips, tools, and advice.

Sijoitus oli erittäin tuottoisa, ei vain kannattava.

If you're talking about something being 'worth it' in a more emotional or experiential sense, consider vaivan arvoinen (worth the trouble). For example: 'Matka oli vaivan arvoinen' (The trip was worth the effort). Kannattava sounds a bit too clinical or financial in that context.

Antonyms to Know: 'Tappiollinen' (loss-making), 'kannattamaton' (unprofitable/useless), and 'turha' (useless/pointless). 'Turha' is much stronger and suggests there was no point even trying.

Projekti todettiin kannattamattomaksi ja lopetettiin.

Lastly, mielekäs (meaningful/sensible) is a great alternative when discussing hobbies or life choices. While 'kannattava harrastus' sounds like you're making money from your hobby, 'mielekäs harrastus' means it brings you joy and purpose.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Yhtiön tavoitteena on saavuttaa kannattava kasvu kuluvan tilikauden aikana."

Neutral

"Onko tämä sijoitus todella kannattava?"

Informal

"Ei oo kyllä yhtään kannattavaa hommaa tää."

Child friendly

"On kannattavaa säästää karkkirahat isompaan leluun."

Slang

"Tää on ihan timanttisen kannattava diili."

Fun Fact

The root 'kanta' is also found in the word 'kantapää' (heel), meaning the part of the foot that carries the body's weight.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkɑnːɑtːɑʋɑ/

US /ˈkɑnːɑtːɑvɑ/

First syllable (KAN-nat-ta-va).

Rhymes With

annettava sanottava otettava saatava luotava uittava auttava taltuttava

Common Errors

Pronouncing the double 'n' or 't' as single consonants.
Placing stress on the second or third syllable.
Confusing the 'v' sound with a 'w' sound.
Mispronouncing the final 'a' as an 'uh' sound.
Mixing it up with 'kannatettava' due to the similar root.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Recognizable in context, but long word.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct adjective declension.

Speaking 4/5

Double consonants can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation but sounds similar to other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

raha työ hyvä olla kantaa

Learn Next

kannattavuus investointi tappio tuotto liiketoiminta

Advanced

kannattavuuskäänne omavaraisuusaste likviditeetti kustannustehokkuus skaalautuvuus

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Etsimme kannattavaa (partitive) yritystä (partitive).

Translative Case for Change

Toiminta muuttui kannattavaksi (-ksi).

Partitive with Abstract Subjects

Säästäminen on kannattavaa (-a).

Essive Case for Role/Status

Pidän tätä kannattavana (-na) sijoituksena.

Superlative Formation

Tämä on yrityksen kannattavin (-in) vuosi.

Examples by Level

Tämä on kannattava kauppa.

This is a profitable deal.

Nominative adjective modifying a noun.

Onko se kannattavaa?

Is it worthwhile?

Partitive case used for abstract questions.

Työ on kannattavaa.

Work is profitable.

Predicate adjective in partitive.

Se ei ole kannattava.

It is not profitable.

Negative sentence with nominative.

Tämä on kannattava idea.

This is a profitable idea.

Basic adjective-noun pair.

Hän tekee kannattavaa työtä.

He/she does profitable work.

Partitive object with partitive adjective.

Onko säästäminen kannattavaa?

Is saving worthwhile?

Infinitive subject requires partitive predicate.

Tämä on erittäin kannattava.

This is very profitable.

Use of intensifier 'erittäin'.

Hän etsii kannattavaa harrastusta.

He is looking for a profitable hobby.

Partitive case for the object of 'etsiä'.

Tämä sijoitus ei ollut kannattava.

This investment was not profitable.

Past tense negative.

Onko opiskelu aina kannattavaa?

Is studying always worthwhile?

Partitive adjective with abstract subject.

Meillä on kannattava yritys.

We have a profitable company.

Possessive structure 'Meillä on'.

Se tuntuu kannattavalta.

It feels profitable/worthwhile.

Ablative case (-lta) used with 'tuntua'.

Haluan tehdä jotain kannattavaa.

I want to do something worthwhile.

Partitive indefinite pronoun 'jotain' + partitive adjective.

Tämä hanke on kannattavampi.

This project is more profitable.

Comparative form 'kannattavampi'.

Onko se taloudellisesti kannattavaa?

Is it economically profitable?

Adverb 'taloudellisesti' modifying the adjective.

Yrityksestä tuli vihdoin kannattava.

The company finally became profitable.

Nominative after 'tulla' (to become) when referring to a specific noun.

Etsimme uusia ja kannattavia kohteita.

We are looking for new and profitable targets.

Plural partitive 'kohteita' requires plural partitive 'kannattavia'.

Onko tämä todella vaivan kannattavaa?

Is this really worth the effort?

Genitive 'vaivan' acting as an object for the worthiness.

Sopimus osoittautui erittäin kannattavaksi.

The contract proved to be very profitable.

Translative case (-ksi) with 'osoittautua'.

Mikä on kannattavin tapa matkustaa?

What is the most worthwhile way to travel?

Superlative form 'kannattavin'.

Hän teki kannattavan päätöksen.

He made a profitable/worthwhile decision.

Accusative/Genitive object case.

Osakkeiden ostaminen oli kannattavaa.

Buying stocks was profitable.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

Yritys pyrki olemaan kannattava heti alusta alkaen.

The company aimed to be profitable right from the start.

Infinitive 'olemaan' + adjective.

Liiketoimintamalli on osoittautunut erittäin kannattavaksi.

The business model has proven to be very profitable.

Perfect tense + translative case.

Onko investointi uusiutuvaan energiaan kannattavaa?

Is investing in renewable energy profitable?

Abstract subject in partitive.

Analyytikot pitävät osaketta kannattavana ostoksena.

Analysts consider the stock a profitable purchase.

Essive case (-na) with 'pitää' (to consider).

Strategia muuttui kannattavammaksi muutosten jälkeen.

The strategy became more profitable after the changes.

Comparative translative.

Emme löytäneet yhtään kannattavaa sijoituskohdetta.

We didn't find a single profitable investment target.

Negative partitive object.

Onko ammatinvaihto taloudellisesti kannattavaa tässä iässä?

Is a career change economically worthwhile at this age?

Complex abstract subject.

Tämä on yksi maamme kannattavimmista yrityksistä.

This is one of the most profitable companies in our country.

Superlative plural genitive.

Hän korosti kannattavan kasvun merkitystä.

She emphasized the importance of profitable growth.

Genitive adjective modifying 'kasvun'.

Kysymys on siitä, onko toiminta eettisesti kannattavaa.

The question is whether the activity is ethically worthwhile.

Adverbial modifier 'eettisesti'.

Yritys saavutti kannattavuuskäänteen ja muuttui kannattavaksi.

The company achieved a profitability turnaround and became profitable.

Specific business terminology 'kannattavuuskäänne'.

Onko massatuotanto enää kannattava toimintatapa?

Is mass production still a profitable way of operating?

Compound word 'toimintatapa'.

Investoinnin kannattavuutta on vaikea arvioida tarkasti.

The profitability of the investment is difficult to assess accurately.

Noun derivative 'kannattavuus'.

Hän kyseenalaisti projektin kannattavuuden pitkällä aikavälillä.

He questioned the profitability of the project in the long run.

Genitive noun object.

Tämä on strategisesti kannattava siirto markkinoilla.

This is a strategically profitable move in the market.

Adverb 'strategisesti'.

Kannattava liiketoiminta edellyttää jatkuvaa innovointia.

Profitable business requires continuous innovation.

Subject-verb agreement.

Onko kulttuuriin sijoittaminen yhteiskunnallisesti kannattavaa?

Is investing in culture socially worthwhile?

Adverb 'yhteiskunnallisesti'.

Sijoitushorisontti määrittää, onko hanke kannattava.

The investment horizon determines whether the project is profitable.

Advanced financial term 'sijoitushorisontti'.

Hän analysoi yrityksen kannattavuuskerrointa syvällisesti.

He analyzed the company's profitability ratio deeply.

Compound noun 'kannattavuuskerroin'.

Onko nykyinen elämäntapamme ekologisesti kannattava?

Is our current lifestyle ecologically viable/worthwhile?

Abstract philosophical usage.

Hän pohti, onko anteeksianto aina henkisesti kannattavaa.

She pondered whether forgiveness is always mentally worthwhile.

High-level abstract application.

Marginaalien pieneneminen tekee alasta vähemmän kannattavan.

Shrinking margins make the industry less profitable.

Causative structure with 'tehdä'.

Kyseessä on poikkeuksellisen kannattava fuusio.

It is an exceptionally profitable merger.

Adverb 'poikkeuksellisen'.

Kannattavuusvaatimus ohjaa kaikkea päätöksentekoa.

The profitability requirement guides all decision-making.

Compound noun 'kannattavuusvaatimus'.

Hän argumentoi kannattavan liiketoiminnan ja etiikan puolesta.

He argued for profitable business and ethics.

Formal rhetoric.

Common Collocations

kannattava yritys

kannattava sijoitus

kannattava kasvu

taloudellisesti kannattava

pitkällä aikavälillä kannattava

kannattava liiketoiminta

kannattava kauppa

kannattava hinta

erittäin kannattava

kannattava toiminta

Common Phrases

Onko se kannattavaa?

— Asking if something is worth the effort or money.

Onko vanhan talon remontointi kannattavaa?

Tehdä kannattavaksi

— To make something profitable.

Meidän täytyy tehdä tästä prosessista kannattavaksi.

Osoittautua kannattavaksi

— To turn out to be profitable.

Uusi strategia osoittautui kannattavaksi.

Pitää kannattavana

— To consider something profitable.

En pidä tätä sijoitusta kannattavana.

Vähiten kannattava

— The least profitable.

Tämä on yrityksen vähiten kannattava osasto.

Saada kannattavaksi

— To succeed in making something profitable.

Saimme verkkokaupan kannattavaksi vuodessa.

Ei ole kannattavaa

— It is not worth it / not profitable.

Ei ole kannattavaa ajaa sataa kilometriä kymmenen euron takia.

Muuttua kannattavaksi

— To change into being profitable.

Toiminta muuttui kannattavaksi vasta kolmantena vuonna.

Etsiä kannattavaa

— To look for something profitable.

Etsimme kannattavaa sijoituskohdetta.

Täysin kannattava

— Completely profitable.

Hanke on jo nyt täysin kannattava.

Often Confused With

kannattava vs kannatettava

Means 'worth supporting' or 'commendable' rather than 'profitable'.

kannattava vs kannustava

Means 'encouraging' (e.g., an encouraging teacher).

kannattava vs kannettava

Means 'portable' or 'a laptop' (literally 'something to be carried').

Idioms & Expressions

"Lyödä leiville"

— An idiom meaning 'to be profitable' or 'to pay off.'

Tämä kauppa lyö leiville.

Informal

"Kantaa hedelmää"

— To bear fruit (to be successful/worthwhile).

Työ alkaa kantaa hedelmää.

Neutral

"Päästä omilleen"

— To break even (to reach the point of profitability).

Saimme sijoituksen pääsemään omilleen.

Neutral

"Tehdä tiliä"

— To make a profit (often used in sports or business).

Joukkue teki tiliä virheistä.

Neutral

"Olla vaivan arvoinen"

— To be worth the trouble.

Matka oli vaivan arvoinen.

Neutral

"Kulta-kaivos"

— A gold mine (a very profitable venture).

Tämä sovellus on varsinainen kultakaivos.

Informal

"Lypsylehmä"

— A cash cow (a consistently profitable part of a business).

Tämä tuote on yrityksen lypsylehmä.

Business

"Rahanteko-kone"

— A money-making machine.

Uusi keksintö on oikea rahantekokone.

Slang

"Panna rahoiksi"

— To cash in / make a profit.

Nyt on aika panna rahoiksi.

Informal

"Sataa laariin"

— To benefit someone (literally 'to rain into the bin').

Tämä muutos sataa meidän laariimme.

Neutral

Easily Confused

kannattava vs kannatettava

Similar root and sound.

Kannattava is about profit/worth; kannatettava is about moral support or agreement.

Idea on kannatettava (good idea), mutta ei kannattava (won't make money).

kannattava vs kannettava

Identical root, different suffix.

Kannettava usually means 'portable' or 'laptop computer'.

Minulla on uusi kannettava tietokone.

kannattava vs kannustava

Sounds similar.

Kannustava means encouraging or motivating.

Hän on erittäin kannustava pomo.

kannattava vs hyödyllinen

Overlapping meaning.

Hyödyllinen is 'useful' (tools/tips); kannattava is 'worth the cost' (money/time).

Tämä kirja on hyödyllinen, mutta sen myyminen ei ole kannattavaa.

kannattava vs edullinen

Both relate to value.

Edullinen means cheap/affordable; kannattava means it generates profit.

Ostin edullisen auton, jotta työmatka olisi kannattava.

Sentence Patterns

Tämä on [adjective] [noun].

Tämä on kannattava kauppa.

[Subject] on [adjective].

Työ on kannattavaa.

[Subject] osoittautui [adjective-ksi].

Sijoitus osoittautui kannattavaksi.

Onko [verb-minen] [adjective-a]?

Onko säästäminen kannattavaa?

Pidän [object-a] [adjective-na].

Pidän tätä kannattavana.

[Subject] on [adverb] [adjective].

Hanke on strategisesti kannattava.

Miten saada [object] [adjective-ksi]?

Miten saada yritys kannattavaksi?

[Noun-genitive] [noun] on [adjective].

Investoinnin tuotto-odotus on kannattava.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, news, and evaluative daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Tämä on kannatettava sijoitus. → Tämä on kannattava sijoitus.
You used 'kannatettava' (worth supporting) instead of 'kannattava' (profitable).
Säästäminen on kannattava. → Säästäminen on kannattavaa.
With an infinitive or verbal noun subject, the predicate adjective must be in the partitive case.
Hän on kannattava ihminen. → Hän on hyödyllinen/mukava ihminen.
'Kannattava' is almost never used to describe a person's character.
Se on kannattava varten minua. → Se on kannattavaa minulle.
Use the allative case (-lle) for 'for someone', not the preposition 'varten'.
Teimme kannattava sopimus. → Teimme kannattavan sopimuksen.
The object of the sentence must be in the genitive/accusative case.

Tips

Check the Case

Always check if you are describing an action (use partitive) or an object (use nominative). This is the most common mistake for B1-B2 learners.

Learn the Root

If you remember 'kannattaa' (to support/be worth it), you can easily remember 'kannattava' (profitable) and 'kannattaja' (supporter).

Business Context

In a Finnish workplace, use 'kannattavuus' when discussing the success of a project. It sounds more professional than just saying it's 'good'.

Double the T

The double 'tt' is crucial. Practice saying 'kan-nat-ta-va' slowly to make sure the middle sounds are distinct.

Not Just Money

Remember that 'kannattava' can also refer to time. 'Kannattava ajankäyttö' is a very common phrase for productivity.

Use with Adverbs

Pair it with adverbs like 'erittäin' (very), 'taloudellisesti' (economically), or 'yllättävän' (surprisingly) to sound more natural.

News Keywords

When listening to Finnish news, 'kannattava' is a keyword for understanding if a company's results were good or bad.

Use Comparatives

Use 'kannattavampi' when making decisions. It helps you practice the '-mpi' comparative ending in a useful context.

The Carry Rule

Think of the word 'carry'. If a project can 'carry' itself financially, it is 'kannattava'.

Agreeing

You can say 'Se kannattaa' (It's worth it) to agree with someone's suggestion, which is the verb form of the adjective.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAN' (kann-) that is 'ATTActive' (-atta-) because it's full of money (-va). It's a 'kann-atta-va' investment!

Visual Association

Imagine a person carrying (kannattaa) a heavy bag of gold. Because they can carry it, the effort is 'kannattava.'

Word Web

liiketoiminta raha voitto sijoitus aika vaiva hyöty tulos

Challenge

Try to find three things in your daily life today that are 'kannattava' (like making coffee at home instead of buying it) and say the word out loud.

Word Origin

Derived from the Proto-Finnic verb 'kanta-', which means 'to carry' or 'to bear.'

Original meaning: Something that 'carries' or 'bears' its own weight or cost.

Uralic (Finnic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to describe social services; some may find it cold to evaluate human needs only by whether they are 'kannattava'.

Similar to 'profitable' or 'worth it,' but 'kannattava' feels slightly more formal and structural in Finnish.

Used frequently in 'Leijonan luola Suomi' (Shark Tank Finland). A key term in the 'Slush' startup conference in Helsinki. Common in the 'Taloussanomat' financial news.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meeting

Miten teemme tästä kannattavan?
Onko hanke kannattava?
Kannattavuus on parantunut.
Etsimme kannattavaa kasvua.

Personal Finance

Onko säästäminen kannattavaa?
Tämä oli hyvä ja kannattava ostos.
Sijoitus ei ollut kannattava.
Onko remontti kannattava?

Career/Education

Onko lisäkoulutus kannattavaa?
Tämä on kannattava ura.
Työni ei ole kovin kannattavaa.
Opiskelu on aina kannattavaa.

Shopping/Deals

Teit kannattavat kaupat.
Ei ole kannattavaa ostaa tätä.
Onko tämä hinta kannattava?
Löysin kannattavan tarjouksen.

Time Management

Onko tämä kannattavaa ajankäyttöä?
Se ei ole vaivan kannattavaa.
Tehdään jotain kannattavampaa.
Tämä on kannattava tapa toimia.

Conversation Starters

"Onko sijoittaminen osakkeisiin mielestäsi kannattavaa tällä hetkellä?"

"Mikä on ollut elämäsi kannattavin päätös tähän mennessä?"

"Uskotko, että sähköauton ostaminen on taloudellisesti kannattavaa?"

"Miten pienyrittäjä voi varmistaa, että hänen toimintansa on kannattavaa?"

"Onko aina kannattavaa sanoa totuus, vai onko joskus parempi olla hiljaa?"

Journal Prompts

Kirjoita sijoituksesta tai ostoksesta, joka osoittautui erittäin kannattavaksi.

Pohdi, onko vapaaehtoistyö mielestäsi kannattavaa, vaikka siitä ei saa palkkaa.

Miten määrittelet 'kannattavan elämän'? Onko se vain rahaa vai jotain muuta?

Analysoi jotakin harrastustasi: onko se kannattavaa ajankäyttöä vai pelkkää ajanvietettä?

Kirjoita suunnitelma siitä, miten tekisit omasta projektistasi kannattavamman.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Ei suoraan. 'Kannattava' tarkoittaa, että jokin tuottaa voittoa tai on vaivan arvoista. 'Halpa' tarkoittaa, että hinta on alhainen. Joskus halpa ostos voi olla kannattava, mutta ne ovat eri asioita.

Se taipuu: kannattavat (nominatiivi), kannattavien (genetiivi), kannattavia (partitiivi). Esimerkiksi: 'Nämä ovat kannattavia sijoituksia.'

Käytä 'kannattavaa' (partitiivi), kun puhut yleisestä asiasta tai teosta (esim. 'Säästäminen on kannattavaa'). Käytä 'kannattava' (nominatiivi), kun kuvailet tiettyä asiaa (esim. 'Tämä yritys on kannattava').

Kyllä, se on neutraali ja asiallinen sana. Sitä käytetään paljon työelämässä ja uutisissa.

Se on harvinaisempi tapa sanoa 'vaivan arvoinen', eli jokin on niin hyvä, että se oikeuttaa nähdyn vaivan.

Yleensä ei. Ihmistä voidaan kuvata 'hyödylliseksi' tai 'palkitsevaksi seuraksi', mutta 'kannattava' viittaa yleensä liiketoimintaan tai toimintaan.

Yleisin vastakohta on 'kannattamaton'. Liiketoiminnassa käytetään myös sanaa 'tappiollinen'.

Se on 'kannattavampi'. Esimerkiksi: 'Tämä suunnitelma on kannattavampi kuin edellinen.'

Se tulee verbistä 'kannattaa', joka tarkoittaa 'tukea' tai 'olla hyödyllistä'.

Sanaa itseään ei yleensä pidetä slangina, mutta se on hyvin yleinen osa arkikieltä, kun puhutaan rahasta.