kelvollista

Kelvollista is the partitive singular form of the Finnish adjective kelvollinen, meaning acceptable, valid, or fit to a standard. In use, kelvollista describes something that meets specified requirements or is judged as appropriate in a given context. The term is common in written and formal Finnish, including administrative, legal, and evaluative language, but it also appears in everyday speech when assessing adequacy.

Etymology and grammar: kelvollinen is formed from the noun or concept kelpo, meaning fitness or suitability, with the derivational suffix -llinen to create an adjective meaning “worthy of being considered or accepted.” The form kelvollista is the partitive singular, used with non-count or indefinite nouns (for example, kelvollista ruokaa, some acceptable food) and in constructions that require the partitive. In predicative use, the standard form is kelvollinen (for example, Hakemuksesi on kelvollinen, your application is acceptable). The plural and other cases follow regular Finnish adjective inflection: kelvollisen (genitive), kelvolliset (plural nominative), and so on.

Usage and nuance: kelvollinen and its inflected forms convey that something meets the necessary criteria or standards. It implies a threshold has been reached and is often found in formal criteria, evaluations, bids, or qualifications. Its antonym is kelvoton (unacceptable). Related terms include kelpoisuus (fitness/suitability) and kelvottomuus (unacceptability). While kelvollista is versatile, it carries a nuance of formal sufficiency rather than mere adequacy.

See also kelvollinen, kelpoisuus, kelvoton, kelpoisuusehdot.