Ensiarvoisen

Ensiarvoisen is Finnish adjective, meaning “of primary importance” or “most important.” The form ensiarvoisen is the genitive singular, used to describe something that has the highest priority or significance. The term is primarily a formal or literary expression and is not a basic everyday synonym for order or priority.

Etymology and meaning: ensiarvoinen is built from ensi- meaning “first” and arvoinen meaning “worthy” or “deserving.” The combination conveys that something is worth first consideration or holds top value. The word is related to ensisijainen, which also denotes primary status, but ensiarvoinen emphasizes significance or worthiness rather than mere sequence.

Usage and nuance: Ensiarvoinen appears mainly in formal, analytical, or ethical discussions, policy debates, and philosophical writing. It signals that a factor, principle, or consideration is of utmost importance. It is less common in everyday conversation, where simpler expressions such as tärkein or ensimmäinen are often used. Example: “Kyseessä on ensiarvoisen tärkeä kysymys,” meaning “This is a question of primary importance,” or “Tämän ohjelman ensiarvoisen merkityksen korostaminen on välttämätöntä.”

Grammar notes: Like other -inen adjectives, ensiarvoinen declines to ensiarvoisen (genitive singular), ensiarvoista (partitive singular), ensiarvoiset (nominative plural), ensiarvoisten (genitive plural), and so on.

See also: ensisijainen, prioriteetti, arvo, tärkein.