Kuunnellus

Kuunnellus is a Finnish noun that denotes the act or process of listening, particularly when it is done with attention or focus. It is related to the verb kuunnella, meaning to listen, and is formed to express listening as a cognitive or communicative activity.

In everyday Finnish, kuunnellus is less common than kuuntelu, which more frequently names the activity of listening in general. Kuunnellus tends to appear in more formal, analytical, or literary contexts, where the emphasis is on listening as a deliberate practice rather than a routine action.

Use of the term often appears in discussions about communication, education, or music appreciation, where attentive listening is highlighted as a skill or method. It can refer to listening in conversations, lectures, or performances, and to the listener’s role in understanding, interpreting, or engaging with spoken or performed material.

Etymology and related terms: Kuunnellus is derived from kuunnella (to listen) with an abstract noun formation. Closely related words include kuuntelu (the act of listening), kuunnella (to listen), and kuuntelutaito (listening skill). While kuuntelu is more common in everyday speech, kuunnellus occurs more often in scholarly or descriptive writing about listening as a process.

See also: Finnish language, listening, kuuntelu, kuunnella, listening skills.