koskettavan

Koskettavan is the genitive singular form of the Finnish adjective koskettava, meaning “touching” or “moving” in an emotional sense. The term is used to describe experiences, stories, moments, or performances that evoke empathy, sorrow, or warmth in an observer. It is distinct from physical touch, which is described with koskettaa or other related terms.

Origin and usage: The adjective koskettava is formed from the verb koskea/koskettaa with the participial suffix -va/-vä to denote a property. In phrases, koskettavan occurs when the adjective modifies a noun in the genitive case, for example koskettavan tarinan vaikutus (the effect of the moving story) or koskettavan hetken hiljaisuus (the silence of the touching moment). This form is common in literary criticism, journalism, and everyday language when conveying emotional impact.

Nuances and equivalents: Koskettava conveys a clear emotional impact and often implies a depth of feeling beyond mere pleasantness. Common synonyms include liikuttava and koskettava is sometimes used interchangeably with liikuttava, though nuances can differ by context. The term should not be confused with expressions for physical touch; in such cases other words or phrases are used.

Examples: Esityksen lopussa vallitsi koskettavan hetken hiljaisuus. Notkuttua? If used in narrative, the line koskettavan tarinan kertominen voi herättää yleisössä tunteita illustrates the act of conveying the moving story. In journalistic prose, koskettavan kuvauksen voi löytää in-depth reports describing a poignant scene.

See also: koskettaa, liikuttava, tunteet.