lisääntyä
lisääntyä in 30 Sekunden
- Lisääntyä means to increase or multiply in number or quantity.
- It is an intransitive verb, so the subject is the thing that grows.
- Commonly used for biological reproduction (animals having babies).
- Used in news and statistics to describe rising trends like unemployment.
The Finnish verb lisääntyä is a fundamental word that every intermediate learner should master. At its core, it describes a process where the quantity, volume, or number of something becomes greater. Unlike the transitive verb lisätä (to add or increase something), lisääntyä is intransitive, meaning the subject itself is the thing that is growing or multiplying. It is most commonly used in three primary contexts: biological reproduction, statistical growth, and the general accumulation of abstract concepts like stress or knowledge.
- Biological Context
- In biology, this is the standard term for reproduction. Whether you are talking about bacteria dividing, rabbits breeding, or human populations growing through birth, this is the verb you use. It implies the natural process of procreation.
Monet eläimet lisääntyvät keväällä, kun ravintoa on runsaasti.
- Statistical and Abstract Growth
- You will frequently encounter this word in news reports regarding economics or social issues. If unemployment rises, crime increases, or the amount of plastic in the ocean grows, the verb used is often 'lisääntyä'. It carries a neutral to formal tone, making it perfect for journalism and academic writing.
In everyday Finnish, you might use it to describe your workload or the number of people in a room. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between scientific precision and daily observation. Because it is a Type 1 verb ending in -tyä, it follows the standard conjugation patterns, but learners must be careful with the consonant gradation (the 'nt' changes to 'nn' in many forms). Understanding this word helps you describe the dynamic nature of the world—how things don't just exist, but actively grow and change in scale. It is also deeply connected to the Finnish word 'lisä' (extra/additional), which provides a helpful mental anchor for its meaning.
Työmääräni on lisääntynyt huomattavasti viime aikoina.
- Register and Nuance
- While 'kasvaa' (to grow) is a common synonym, 'lisääntyä' specifically emphasizes the numerical increase or the multiplication of units. If a single tree grows taller, you use 'kasvaa'. If the number of trees in a forest increases, you use 'lisääntyä'.
Bakteerit lisääntyvät jakautumalla.
Turistien määrä kaupungissa on lisääntynyt.
Using lisääntyä correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an intransitive verb. This means it does not take a direct object in the accusative case. Instead, the entity that is increasing is the subject. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might want to say 'I increased the price' using this word. In Finnish, you would use 'lisätä' for that. With 'lisääntyä', the price itself is the subject: 'Hinta lisääntyy' (though 'nousee' is more common for prices).
- Conjugation Patterns
- Lisääntyä is a Type 1 verb. The stem is 'lisäänny-'. Note the consonant gradation: the 'nt' in the infinitive changes to 'nn' in the present and past indicative (e.g., minä lisäännyn, he lisääntyvät). The 'nt' remains in the third person plural and the infinitive.
Suvuton lisääntyminen on yleistä kasveilla.
When discussing trends, we often use the perfect tense (on lisääntynyt) to show that the increase started in the past and continues or has reached a certain point. It is also common to use adverbs of degree to specify how much something has increased. Words like huomattavasti (significantly), vähän (a little), nopeasti (quickly), and jatkuvasti (continuously) are frequent companions to this verb.
- Subject Agreement
- If the subject is a mass noun or an uncountable concept, the verb stays in the third person singular. 'Melu lisääntyy' (The noise increases). If the subject is plural, the verb is plural: 'Mahdollisuudet lisääntyvät' (The opportunities increase).
Eriarvoisuus on lisääntynyt yhteiskunnassa.
Sateet lisääntyvät ilmastonmuutoksen myötä.
- Common Phrasings
- You will often see it used with the word 'määrä' (amount/number). 'Autojen määrä lisääntyy' (The number of cars increases). This is a very safe and natural way to use the word in almost any context.
In summary, focus on the 'what' that is increasing. If it's a living thing, you're likely talking about babies. If it's a number or a feeling, you're talking about growth. Always check your consonant gradation: one 'n' in the dictionary, two 'n's when you're the one doing the increasing (metaphorically) or when the third person singular is used.
Tiedon määrä lisääntyy joka päivä.
You are most likely to hear lisääntyä in environments where data, trends, or biology are discussed. It is a staple of Finnish news broadcasts (Uutiset). When the news anchor discusses the rising cost of living, the increasing number of retirees, or the growth of solar energy usage, 'lisääntyä' is the verb of choice. It sounds professional and precise.
- Scientific and Academic Settings
- In a university lecture or a nature documentary (like those narrated in Finnish), you will hear this word constantly. It is the technical term for reproduction. A documentary about the Saimaa ringed seal will inevitably use 'lisääntyä' to describe the survival and growth of the species.
Uhanalaiset lajit lisääntyvät hitaasti eläintarhoissa.
In the workplace, particularly in management or HR, the word appears when discussing workloads, efficiency, or the frequency of certain events (like remote work days). If your boss says 'Etätyö on lisääntynyt', they are observing a trend in the office culture. It is less common in very casual, slang-heavy street speech, where people might just say 'tulla lisää' (to come more) or 'kasvaa' (to grow), but it remains perfectly understandable and natural in any conversation about change.
- Public Service Announcements
- Health warnings or traffic bulletins often use it. 'Liukkaus lisääntyy illalla' (Slipperiness increases in the evening). Here, it acts as a warning about changing conditions.
Sähköautojen suosio on lisääntynyt Suomessa.
Väkivalta on lisääntynyt sosiaalisessa mediassa.
- Social Media and Trends
- Influencers or analysts might use it when talking about 'engagement' or 'followers'. 'Seuraajamääräni lisääntyi videon jälkeen' (My follower count increased after the video).
Finally, in political debates, you will hear it used to argue for or against certain policies. Politicians talk about how taxes shouldn't 'lisääntyä' or how the number of police officers should 'lisääntyä'. It is a powerful word for discussing the direction in which society is moving. By paying attention to this word, you can quickly grasp the main topic of many Finnish news articles even if you don't know every other word in the sentence.
Harrastusmahdollisuudet ovat lisääntyneet kunnassamme.
The most frequent mistake learners make with lisääntyä is confusing it with its transitive counterpart, lisätä. This is a classic example of the Finnish causative/reflexive verb pair system. If you say 'Minä lisäännyin suolaa keittoon', you are literally saying 'I multiplied salt into the soup', which makes no sense. You must use 'lisätä' when you are the agent performing the action of adding something.
- The Transitive Trap
- Wrong: 'Hallitus lisääntyi veroja.' (The government multiplied taxes - sounds like the taxes had babies). Correct: 'Hallitus lisäsi veroja.' (The government increased taxes).
Väärin: Haluan lisääntyä palkkaani. Oikein: Haluan lisätä/nostaa palkkaani.
Another common error involves consonant gradation. Because 'lisääntyä' is a Type 1 verb, the 'nt' changes to 'nn' in most conjugated forms. Beginners often forget this and say 'lisääntyn' instead of 'lisäännyn'. Remember: if the syllable is closed by an ending, the strong 'nt' usually weakens to 'nn'.
- Confusion with 'Kasvaa'
- While often interchangeable, 'kasvaa' refers more to physical size or maturity, while 'lisääntyä' refers to number or quantity. You wouldn't say a child 'lisääntyy' unless you mean they are cloning themselves. A child 'kasvaa' (grows).
Väärin: Bakteeri lisää nopeasti. Oikein: Bakteeri lisääntyy nopeasti.
- Preposition Errors
- Learners sometimes use the wrong case for the 'where' or 'how'. Usually, we use the inessive (-ssa/-ssä) for the location of the increase. 'Työttömyys lisääntyy kaupungissa' (Unemployment increases in the city).
Lastly, be careful with the passive form. 'Lisäännytään' exists but is rarely used except in very specific biological contexts or as a joke. Stick to the third person singular or plural for most descriptions of trends. If you want to say 'more is being added', use 'lisätään'.
Väärin: Ihmiset lisäävät maailmassa. Oikein: Ihmisten määrä lisääntyy maailmassa.
Finnish has several words for growth and increase, and choosing the right one depends on the context. While lisääntyä is the go-to word for numerical multiplication and biological reproduction, other verbs might be more appropriate depending on what exactly is getting bigger.
- Kasvaa vs. Lisääntyä
- 'Kasvaa' is the most common synonym. It means 'to grow'. Use 'kasvaa' for physical size (a child growing), for plants, and for abstract things like interest rates or influence. 'Lisääntyä' is better when the focus is on the number of items increasing.
Määrä lisääntyy, mutta koko kasvaa.
- Enentyä
- This is a slightly more poetic or archaic word for 'to increase'. You might see it in literature or older texts. It is related to 'enemmän' (more). In modern speech, 'lisääntyä' has almost entirely replaced it.
Vaurautemme enentyy päivä päivältä.
- Moninkertaistua
- This means 'to multiply' in the sense of 'to double, triple, or quadruple'. Use this when the increase is very rapid or mathematically significant. It is literally 'to become many-fold'.
Voitot moninkertaistuivat vuodessa.
- Karttua
- Used for things that accumulate over time, like wealth, experience, or savings. It implies a steady, positive buildup. 'Kokemus karttuu' (Experience accumulates).
In summary, choose 'lisääntyä' when you want to sound objective and focus on numbers or biological life. Choose 'kasvaa' for general growth, 'karttua' for accumulation of value, and 'moninkertaistua' for dramatic spikes. Understanding these nuances will make your Finnish sound much more precise and natural.
Tiedot karttuvat opiskelun myötä.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Koirat lisääntyvät.
Dogs reproduce.
Simple present tense, 3rd person plural.
Sade lisääntyy.
The rain increases.
3rd person singular, used for weather.
Linnut lisääntyvät keväällä.
Birds reproduce in the spring.
Present tense with a time expression.
Määrä lisääntyy.
The amount increases.
Abstract subject 'määrä'.
Kukat lisääntyvät puutarhassa.
Flowers multiply in the garden.
Plural subject.
Melu lisääntyy.
The noise increases.
Uncountable subject.
Oppilaat lisääntyvät luokassa.
The students increase in the class.
Plural subject, location in inessive case.
Aika lisääntyy?
Does time increase? (Conceptual)
Question form.
Autojen määrä lisääntyy kaupungissa.
The number of cars is increasing in the city.
Subject is 'määrä' (singular).
Bakteerit lisääntyvät nopeasti.
Bacteria multiply quickly.
Adverb 'nopeasti' modifies the verb.
Harrastukseni ovat lisääntyneet.
My hobbies have increased.
Perfect tense, plural.
Onko työn määrä lisääntynyt?
Has the amount of work increased?
Perfect tense question.
Ihmiset lisääntyvät koko ajan.
People are multiplying all the time.
Continuous action.
Turistien määrä lisääntyy kesällä.
The number of tourists increases in the summer.
Genitive attribute 'turistien'.
Stressi lisääntyy ennen tenttiä.
Stress increases before an exam.
Abstract noun as subject.
Mahdollisuudet lisääntyvät, jos opiskelet.
Opportunities increase if you study.
Conditional context.
Etätyö on lisääntynyt huomattavasti viime vuosina.
Remote work has increased significantly in recent years.
Perfect tense with adverb of degree.
Uhanalaiset lajit eivät lisäänny helposti vankeudessa.
Endangered species do not reproduce easily in captivity.
Negative present tense.
Väkiluku lisääntyy kehittyvissä maissa.
The population is increasing in developing countries.
Subject is 'väkiluku' (population).
Yksinäisyys lisääntyy vanhusten keskuudessa.
Loneliness is increasing among the elderly.
Abstract social issue.
Tietoisuus ympäristöstä on lisääntynyt.
Environmental awareness has increased.
Subject is 'tietoisuus' (awareness).
Sähköautojen käyttö lisääntyy vähitellen.
The use of electric cars is increasing gradually.
Adverb 'vähitellen' (gradually).
Rikollisuus lisääntyy usein kriisien aikana.
Crime often increases during crises.
General statement about trends.
Onko kiinnostus suomen kieltä kohtaan lisääntynyt?
Has interest in the Finnish language increased?
Perfect tense question with prepositional phrase.
Eriarvoisuus yhteiskunnassa on lisääntynyt hälyttävästi.
Inequality in society has increased alarmingly.
Adverb 'hälyttävästi' (alarmingly).
Bakteerien vastustuskyky antibiooteille lisääntyy jatkuvasti.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing continuously.
Complex subject with genitive attributes.
Verkko-ostosten määrä lisääntyy juhlapyhien alla.
The number of online purchases increases before public holidays.
Compound word 'verkko-ostokset'.
Poliittinen polarisaatio on lisääntynyt monissa maissa.
Political polarization has increased in many countries.
Abstract political term.
Mielenterveysongelmat näyttävät lisääntyvän nuorten parissa.
Mental health problems seem to be increasing among young people.
Verb chain with 'näyttää' + 1st infinitive.
Kilpailu työpaikoista lisääntyy talouskasvun hidastuessa.
Competition for jobs increases as economic growth slows down.
Temporal construction 'hidastuessa'.
Tiedon määrä lisääntyy eksponentiaalisesti digitaalisella aikakaudella.
The amount of information increases exponentially in the digital age.
Adverb 'eksponentiaalisesti'.
Vastuu lisääntyy iän myötä.
Responsibility increases with age.
Abstract proverb-like statement.
Yhteiskunnallinen vieraantuminen on lisääntynyt digitalisaation seurauksena.
Social alienation has increased as a result of digitalization.
Formal academic vocabulary.
Lajien välinen kilpailu voi johtaa siihen, että toinen laji ei pääse lisääntymään.
Interspecies competition can lead to one species not being able to reproduce.
Infinitive form after 'päästä'.
Kasvihuonekaasujen pitoisuudet ilmakehässä lisääntyvät edelleen.
Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are still increasing.
Scientific terminology.
On havaittavissa, että epävarmuus työmarkkinoilla on lisääntynyt.
It is observable that uncertainty in the labor market has increased.
Passive construction 'on havaittavissa'.
Veronkierron mahdollisuudet lisääntyvät talouden globalisoituessa.
Opportunities for tax evasion increase as the economy globalizes.
Complex economic context.
Kulttuurien välinen vuorovaikutus on lisääntynyt matkustamisen helpottuessa.
Intercultural interaction has increased as travel has become easier.
Abstract social concept.
Lisääntyvä sääntely voi hidastaa innovaatioiden syntymistä.
Increasing regulation can slow down the emergence of innovations.
Participial adjective 'lisääntyvä'.
Luottamuspula instituutioita kohtaan on lisääntynyt viime aikoina.
The lack of trust towards institutions has increased lately.
Noun phrase 'luottamuspula'.
Diskursiivinen monitahoisuus lisääntyy, kun useammat äänet pääsevät kuuluviin.
Discursive complexity increases when more voices are heard.
High-level linguistic terminology.
Entropia lisääntyy suljetussa systeemissä termodynamiikan toisen pääsäännön mukaan.
Entropy increases in a closed system according to the second law of thermodynamics.
Scientific law.
On kyseenalaista, lisääntyykö onnellisuus varallisuuden kasvaessa tietyn pisteen jälkeen.
It is questionable whether happiness increases as wealth grows after a certain point.
Indirect question with '-ko' suffix.
Lisääntyvä polarisaatio murentaa yhteiskunnan koheesiota perustavanlaatuisella tavalla.
Increasing polarization erodes social cohesion in a fundamental way.
Metaphorical usage.
Väestön ikääntyminen johtaa siihen, että hoivapalveluiden tarve lisääntyy vääjäämättä.
The aging of the population leads to the need for care services increasing inevitably.
Adverb 'vääjäämättä' (inevitably).
Kognitiivinen kuormitus lisääntyy informaatiotulvassa.
Cognitive load increases in the flood of information.
Psychological terminology.
Lisääntyvä autoritaarisuus on globaali huolenaihe.
Increasing authoritarianism is a global concern.
Political science context.
Onko mahdollista, että empatia lisääntyy kriisien myötä?
Is it possible that empathy increases through crises?
Philosophical inquiry.
Häufige Kollokationen
Summary
The verb 'lisääntyä' is your primary tool for describing growth in numbers or biological reproduction. Remember it is intransitive: 'Määrä lisääntyy' (The amount increases), not 'Minä lisäännyin määrää' (I increased the amount - use 'lisätä' instead).
- Lisääntyä means to increase or multiply in number or quantity.
- It is an intransitive verb, so the subject is the thing that grows.
- Commonly used for biological reproduction (animals having babies).
- Used in news and statistics to describe rising trends like unemployment.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr general Wörter
aiemmin
B1Früher: Er ist früher nach Hause gekommen.
aiheinen
B2themed or related to a topic
aiheuttaa
B1to cause
aiheutua
B2Sich ergeben aus, verursacht werden durch. 'Die Kosten ergeben sich aus der Reise.'
aikaa vievä
B1Es bedeutet 'zeitaufwendig'. Zum Beispiel: 'Das ist eine zeitaufwendige Aufgabe.'
aikaisin
A2early
aikoa
A2Aikoa bedeutet, die Absicht zu haben, etwas in der Zukunft zu tun. Es wird verwendet, wenn man eine bestimmte Absicht hat.
aivan
A2exactly or quite
ajankohtainen
B1Dieses Thema ist momentan sehr aktuell.
ajatella
A1to think