Koskettavaa

Koskettavaa is a Finnish word formed from the adjective koskettava, meaning emotionally touching or moving. In its form koskettavaa it is used to describe experiences, works, or moments that evoke strong feelings. It is not typically used to describe physical touch; for physical touch, other words such as kosketeltava or koskettaa-related forms are used.

Usage and usage notes

Koskettavaa commonly appears in predicative constructions with olla, as in Se on koskettavaa (It is touching). It also appears as a modifier before a mass noun or in phrases with partitive case, for example koskettavaa musiikkia (emotional music) or koskettavaa elokuvaa (an emotionally moving film). The form adapts to the case of the noun it describes, as Finnish adjectives agree with the noun in number and case.

Etymology

The word stems from the verb koskea, to touch, and its related participle forms. The emotional sense of koskettavaa developed from the idea of something that touches a person’s feelings, rather than something that physically can be touched.

Related terms

- koskettava: the base adjective meaning touching or moving emotionally.

- kosketeltava/kosketeltavissa: forms used to express physical tangibility or the ability to be touched.

- kosketus: the noun meaning touch, contact.

Examples

- Elokuva oli koskettavaa.

- Tämä tarina on koskettavaa kuultavaa ja ajatuksia herättävää.

- Musiikki on koskettavaa, se koskee kuulijaa syvästi.

Koskettavaa is a concise, commonly used expression in Finnish to characterize experiences that provoke emotional response, rather than physical contact.