Jäntevä

Jäntevä is a Finnish adjective used to describe something or someone as physically sturdy, resilient, and capable of performing under stress. It can refer to a person who is in good physical condition and mentally steadfast, as well as to objects, equipment, or systems that are reliable and durable. In sports reporting, a jäntevä athlete is someone who can sustain effort and recover quickly; in product descriptions, a jäntevä design suggests robustness and long service life while remaining efficient under varying conditions.

The nuance of jäntevä combines strength with a sense of elasticity or practical flexibility, implying more than mere size or power. It denotes functional effectiveness and the ability to endure strain without breaking. The term is common in everyday Finnish and in media, carrying a positive, somewhat informal tone rather than strictly technical vocabulary.

Etymology-wise, jäntevä is derived from jänne, meaning tendon or sinew, with a metaphorical extension to endurance and resilience. The related noun jäntevyys expresses the quality of steadiness or reliability.

See also: kestävyys, vahvuus, joustavuus, kunto.