kuvantava

Kuvantava is a Finnish adjective used to describe language, imagery, or visual style that evokes clear mental pictures. In literary criticism and film analysis, it denotes writing or imagery that tends to produce vivid impressions in the reader’s or viewer’s mind. The word is formed from kuva, "picture," with the descriptive suffix -ntava, which in Finnish commonly marks causative or generative qualities—literally, "producing pictures."

Usage: The term is often applied to prose or poetry whose diction paints strong scenes, sensory details, or cinematic sequences. A kuvantava narrative might rely on concrete sensory nouns and dynamic verbs to simulate sight, sound, or movement. In film or photography, kuvantava composition refers to arrangements that foreground distinctive images, textures, or contrasts to shape the viewer’s perception.

Compared with kuvallinen, which means simply "visual" or "pictorial," kuvantava emphasizes the effect of imagery on imagination.

See also: kuvallinen, kuvata, kuvitus, kuvantaminen.

Notes: It is primarily used in Finnish-language contexts; direct equivalents in other languages include "evocative" or "imagery-rich" but not exact.