Kasvattaa

Kasvattaa is a Finnish verb meaning to raise, bring up, grow, or cultivate. It is the causative form of kasvaa and is transitive, indicating that the subject causes growth or development in a direct object. The action can relate to people, animals, plants, or more abstract things like skills or qualities.

Common uses include raising children (lapsia kasvattaa), cultivating plants (kasveja kasvattaa), or developing abilities (taitoja kasvattaa). The verb is often used with agents such as parents, teachers, gardeners, or programs that actively foster growth. The passive form, kuten lapset kasvavat or lapset kasvatetaan, is also widely used, especially to describe ongoing or generalized processes.

Related words help describe the broader concept: kasvatus refers to upbringing or cultivation as a process, kasvattaja means a caregiver or grower, and kasvattaminen denotes the act of raising or cultivating. These terms share the same root, kasva-, which means “to grow,” connecting the ideas of physical growth and developmental encouragement.

Etymology and nuance: kasvattaa is formed by adding the causative suffix -ttaa to the root kasva-, signaling that the subject causes or fosters growth. This distinguishes it from kasvaa, which simply means “to grow” intransitively. In Finnish, kasvattaa thus emphasizes intentional influence and responsibility in the growth process.