suotava

Suotava is a Finnish adjective meaning desirable, advantageous, or advisable. It is used to express that a situation, action, or outcome should be preferred or is appropriate. In informal speech the phrase on suotavaa can be used to indicate what is proper, while in formal contexts it often appears in constructions such as on suotavaa, että or se on suotavaa to translate roughly as “it is advisable that” or “this is desirable.”

Etymology and nuance: Suotava belongs to a family of adjectives related to suoda, meaning to grant or permit, and to suotuisa, meaning favorable. The -va suffix forms a participial adjective indicating something that ought to be granted or that is desirable. The sense is primarily normative or evaluative, describing conditions or actions regarded as suitable or beneficial in a given context.

Usage notes: The term is more common in written and official language than in casual conversation. It is often used when discussing policy, ethics, planning, or procedural recommendations. The nuance between desirable and advisable can depend on context: suotava highlights what is appropriate or advantageous to pursue.

Translations: English equivalents include desirable, advisable, preferable, or advantageous, depending on the specific context.

Examples:

- On suotavaa keskustella asiasta ennen päätöksen tekemistä.

- Tämä ratkaisu on suotava, koska se edistää turvallisuutta.

See also: suotuisa; epäsuotava (opposite sense in some contexts).