Puhdistettava

Puhdistettava is a Finnish participial adjective derived from the verb puhdistaa (to clean). It describes something that must be cleaned or is intended to be cleaned, and is commonly translated as “to be cleaned” or “that must be cleaned.” The form is used before nouns to indicate requirements or planned actions, for example puhdistettava pinta (surface to be cleaned) or puhdistettavat astiat (dishes to be cleaned).

Grammatical role and usage

Puhdistettava functions as an attributive modifier and is often found in technical, procedural, and hygiene-related contexts. It expresses obligation, necessity, or a planned step in a process. It contrasts with puhdistettu, the past passive form meaning “cleaned” or “already cleaned.” The latter describes a completed action, while puhdistettava points to future or required cleaning.

Common contexts

In manufacturing, healthcare, and food safety, puhdistettava appears in instructions, checklists, and signage. Signs may read “Puhdistettava alue” (area to be cleaned) or “Puhdistettavat astiat” (dishes to be cleaned). It is also used in planning documents to designate objects or surfaces that need cleaning before use, inspection, or packaging.

Morphology notes

The form changes for number and case to agree with the noun it modifies (e.g., puhdistettava pinta, puhdistettavan pinnan, puhdistettavat pinnat). It is part of Finnish participial adjective patterns with the -ettava/-ettävä suffix, indicating a to-be-done action related to the root verb.

See also

Puhdistus (cleaning), puhdistettu (cleaned), puhdistusohje (cleaning instructions).