ratkaisevat

Ratkaisevat is a Finnish word that can function as both a verb form and an adjective, depending on the context. It derives from the verb ratkaista, meaning to decide, resolve or solve. As a verb, ratkaisevat is the third-person plural present indicative, used to describe what “they” do. For example: He ratkaisevat ongelman. This means “They solve the problem.”

As an attributive adjective in plural form, ratkaisevat means “decisive” or “determinative” and can modify a plural noun. In this use, the form coincides with the verb form, but its function is different. For example: Kustannukset ja aikataulu ovat ratkaisevat tekijät projektin onnistumisessa. This translates to “Costs and the timeline are the decisive factors in the project’s success.”

In Finnish, adjectives agree with the noun they modify, so plural adjectives take endings like -vat or -vät to match the noun. The same stem ratkaise- is used for related words such as ratkaisu (solution), ratkaiseminen (solving, act of solving), and ratkaiseva (decisive, determinant when used as an adjective in its base form).

Usage notes: The context usually clarifies whether ratkaisevat is a verb form or an attributive adjective. Both meanings are common in everyday Finnish, especially in discussions of problem-solving, decision-making, and analyses that emphasize key determinants or driving factors. See also: ratkaista, ratkaisu, ratkaiseva.