luotettava

Luotettava is a Finnish adjective meaning reliable, trustworthy, or dependable. It describes a person, a source, a device, an organization, or any entity that behaves consistently, honestly, and predictably. In everyday use, luotettava signals credibility and dependability, for example luotettava lähde (a reliable source) or luotettava ystävä (a trustworthy friend). The noun form luotettavuus refers to the quality or state of being reliable, and luotettavasti is the adverb meaning reliably.

Usage notes and related forms: Luotettava agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, as in luotettava työntekijä (a reliable employee) versus luotettavat työntekijät (reliable employees). The term is derived from the verb luottaa, meaning to trust, with the participial suffix -va/-vä. Related terms include luotettavuus (reliability), luottaa (to trust), and luotettavasti (reliably). In technical and formal contexts, luotettava is commonly used to describe sources, systems, products, and processes that meet expected standards of dependability and integrity.

Context and nuance: The concept of luotettava is valued in Finnish discourse across domains such as media, science, engineering, and governance. It is a neutral descriptor that does not imply absolute perfection but emphasizes consistency, credibility, and a track record of dependable performance. In translations, luotettava commonly corresponds to English reliable or trustworthy.