ansiokas

Ansiokas is a Finnish adjective meaning meritorious or worthy of merit. It describes actions, performances, or people that deserve recognition or praise. The term is used in formal or evaluative contexts, such as awards criteria, academic assessments, or job applications. A meritorious achievement is often described as “ansiokas suoritus,” and a person who has earned recognition for their work may be called an “ansiokas henkilö.” The phrase can carry a sense of respect and formal appraisal without implying favoritism.

Etymology: The word derives from the noun ansio, which means merit, qualification, or earnings, with the adjectival suffix -kas forming the meaning “having merit.” Although ansio can also refer to earnings, in the meritorious sense the semantic focus is on earned merit rather than monetary income.

Usage notes: The word is more common in written, official, or journalistic Finnish than in casual speech, though it may appear in everyday contexts when one wishes to acknowledge noteworthy achievement. In more colloquial language, Finnish speakers might use alternatives such as arvostettava (worthy of respect) or simply describe the achievement without labeling it.

Examples: “Hänen ansiokas panoksensa johti menestykseen.” “Ansiokas hakija sai paikan.” In context, the phrase conveys admiration for earned merit.

See also: ansio, merit, arvo, arvostus.