kohtainen

Kohtainen is a Finnish adjective that describes something as pertaining to a particular instance, person, place, or matter. In English it is often rendered as “specific,” “particular,” or, in some contexts, “private” or “personal.” The sense can range from a narrowly defined item or condition to something tied to a specific situation. The word is commonly found in formal or technical language, and its everyday synonymy is usually with tietty or eris, while henkilökohtainen or henkilötiedot is used when the meaning is clearly “personal” in the sense of private data or individual concerns.

Etymology and related forms: Kohtainen derives from the noun kohta, meaning a point, place, moment, or occasion, with the -inen suffix forming an adjective. It shares a general pattern with other Finnish adjectives that describe a relationship to a noun, and it agrees with the noun in number and case (kohtainen hinta, kohteessa kohtaiset piirteet, kohtaisia hintoja, etc.). Compound forms are common, such as henkilökohtainen (personal) and tietty/nimetty, depending on the nuance desired.

Usage and nuances: Kohtainen is appropriate when the emphasis is on specificity or a designated context. For example, it can describe a price tied to a particular product (kohtainen hinta), a location tied to a specific occurrence (kohtainen paikka), or a reason tied to a concrete case (kohtainen syy). When the intention is clearly “personal,” Finnish speakers more often use henkilökohtainen, especially in everyday language and in discussions of privacy or personal data.

Examples: kohtainen hinta, kohtainen paikka, kohtainen syy. In plural, use kohtaisten hintojen, kohtaisten paikkojen, kohtaisia syitä.