soveltu

Soveltu is a Finnish term used to describe something that is suitable or applicable in a given context. The standard adjective is soveltuva, meaning “suitable” or “appropriate.” The noun form is soveltuvuus, meaning “suitability” or “applicability.” The verb family includes soveltaa (“to apply; to implement”) and the intransitive soveltua (“to be suitable”), with present tense forms such as soveltuu (“is suitable”). The adjectival suffix -va forms soveltuva from the verb stem, aligning with other Finnish -va adjectives.

Usage: Soveltuva describes fit to purpose, criteria, or audience. It is used with postpositions such as on soveltuva jollekin (“is suitable for someone”) and in phrases like tarkoitukseen soveltuva (“suitable for the purpose”). In education and work contexts, applicants are described as soveltuva or soveltuva hakija when their background matches program requirements.

In legal and regulatory language, the phrase sovellettava laki means “the applicable law,” and related phrasing such as soveltuva ratkaisu refers to an appropriate or suitable solution. The term also appears in technical contexts to denote compatibility or applicability of methods, tools, or standards.

Related terms include sopiva (synonym), asianmukainen (proper, appropriate), and soveltuvuus (the noun form for suitability). Etymologically, soveltuva derives from soveltaa with the adjectival suffix -va, reflecting the sense of suitability or applicability.