puoltaa

Puoltaa is a Finnish verb meaning to advocate, support, or defend a position, proposal, person, or policy, and to take a side in a debate or public discussion. It is a transitive verb commonly used in political and public contexts to express approval or backing for something in discourse, policy-making, or legal matters. The object of puoltaa often appears in the partitive or accusative case, depending on emphasis and nuance; typical examples include "Hän puoltaa uutta lakia" and "Kansanedustaja puoltaa uuden koulutusohjelman hyväksymistä."

Etymology and relation to related terms: Puoltaa derives from the noun puolto, meaning backing or support, with the -aa/-taa suffix that marks the infinitive for many Finnish verbs. It is closely related to synonyms such as kannattaa (to be in favor of) and tukea (to support). In usage, puoltaa connotes an active stance or advocacy beyond mere approval, and it is typically contrasted with vastustaa (to oppose) or kyseenalaistaa (to question).

Usage notes: Puoltaa is most often used to describe public or official support for ideas, policies, or individuals. It can be used for a person taking someone’s side in a dispute, or for endorsing a proposal in deliberations, debates, or media coverage. While the preferred object forms can vary, common constructions include puoltaa jotakin (to advocate something) and puoltaa jonkin hyväksymistä (to advocate the approval of something).

See also: kannattaa, vastustaa, tukea.