Liikuttava

Liikuttava is a Finnish adjective describing something that moves a person emotionally; in English, “moving” or “touching.” It is used for stories, films, speeches, music, or moments that evoke empathy, sadness, joy, or reflection rather than physical motion. The word is formed from the verb liikuttaa “to move” or “to affect” and the suffix -va, which creates adjectives meaning “capable of/causing” or “characterized by.”

Grammar and usage: The adjective agrees with the noun it modifies, for example liikuttava tarina (a moving story) or liikuttava elokuva (a moving film). It can be used predicatively in sentences such as “Tämä on liikuttava kokemus” (This is a moving experience). It is common in literary criticism and everyday descriptions. The nuance centers on emotional impact rather than physical motion and can convey warmth, sadness, inspiration, or solemnity depending on context.

Translations and nuance: Liikuttava is closely related to koskettava, another Finnish term for something that touches the heart. The noun liikutus denotes the emotional impact or stirring. In English, liikutus might translate as “emotion” or “emotional impact,” while liikuttava corresponds to “moving,” “touching,” or “poignant” depending on the situation.

See also: koskettava, liikutus, liikuttaa.