Kannattaa

Kannattaa is a Finnish verb meaning that something is worth doing, advisable, or beneficial. It functions similarly to a modal verb in English, indicating that a course of action is sensible or worthwhile. The typical construction is to pair kannattaa with a following infinitive to specify what is worth doing, for example: Tämä kannattaa tehdä. Tämä projekti kannattaa aloittaa nyt. The negative form is ei kannata, as in Ei kannata odottaa.

In use, the subject of kannattaa is often the thing that is considered worthwhile, while the main verb is in the infinitive. For example, Se kannattaa kuunnella. Meidän kannattaa yrittää. The expression can also be used with clauses: On syytä tehdä seanalyysi, though in many contexts on syytä and on järkevää are preferred for formal style. Kannattaa is common in spoken Finnish and in informal writing.

Etymology of kannattaa points to the Finnish root related to bearing or supporting, with the sense shift to “it is worth” developing over time. The form is finite in the present tense and can be negated with ei; it does not take personal endings in the same way as some finite verbs, functioning more like a modal phrase.

Related phrases and synonyms include on järkevää, on suositeltavaa, and on hyvä idea. In summary, kannattaa is a versatile, widely used verb for expressing that an action is worthwhile or advisable, typically followed by an infinitive.