kiinnosti

Kiinnosti is a Finnish verb form meaning “to interest” in the past tense. It is the past tense form of the causative verb kiinnostaa, used to express that something was of interest to someone in the past. In Finnish, kiinnosti typically describes a relationship between a thing or event and a person or group who experienced the interest.

Usage and grammar: Kiinnosti is a transitive verb. The thing that caused the interest is often the subject, while the person who was interested is expressed with a personal pronoun in the object role, commonly in partitive or accusative forms. Common constructions include “Se kiinnosti minua” (That interested me) and “Uutiset kiinnosti monia” (The news interested many people). The sentence can also place emphasis on the person who was interested (for example, “Minua kiinnosti se asia,” though more natural word order is often used in everyday speech).

Relation to other forms: Kiinnosti forms part of the verb kiinnostaa, which covers present tense meaning “to interest.” Related nouns include kiinnostus (interest, curiosity) and related adjectives discussive or expressive nuances. To express ongoing or general interest, kiinnostaa in present tense or kiinnostunut (interested) can be used in appropriate contexts.

See also: kiinnostaa, kiinnostus, kiinnosta. In Finnish discourse, kiinnosti conveys a completed or past state of interest, whereas kiinnostaa and kiinnosta describe current or general interest.