järkevä

Järkevä is a Finnish adjective meaning rational, sensible, and prudent. It is used to describe actions, decisions, or people that are based on sound reasoning and practicality rather than impulse or speculation. In everyday language, phrases like järkevä päätös (a sensible/sound decision) or järkevä vaihtoehto (a reasonable option) convey that something is well thought out and feasible.

Etymology and forms: Järkevä is derived from järki, meaning reason or mind, with the suffix -vä that marks a characteristic. Related forms include järkevyys, the noun for rationality or reasonableness, and järkevästi, the adverb meaning in a reasonable or sensible way. The adjective also forms degrees: järkevä, järkevämpi (more reasonable), and järkevin (most reasonable).

Usage notes: The term is common in everyday speech as well as in journalism and formal writing to evaluate proposals, plans, or conduct. Its opposite can be järjetön or epäjärkevä, indicating irrational or not sensible. While generally neutral, järkevä can carry evaluative nuance depending on context, often implying prudence or practicality in contrast to riskier or reckless alternatives.

Examples: "Päätös oli järkevä, koska se vähensi kustannuksia." "Hän teki järkeviä ratkaisuja kriisin aikana." "Tässä tapauksessa järkevästi toimiminen on tärkeintä."