tehtävä
Lemma: tehtävä
Translation: task; assignment; mission; duty; function; exercise; job (noun)
Etymology: Derived from the verb 'tehdä' (to do, to make) with the suffix '-vä' which forms a present participle. This participle has been nominalized to create a noun meaning 'something that is to be done'. The structure parallels English formations like 'to do' → 'doing' → 'a doing' or 'to-do', though in Finnish this process is more grammaticalized.
Example Usage
Minulla on tärkeä tehtävä huomenna.
I have an important task tomorrow.
Opettaja antoi meille kotitehtäviä.
The teacher gave us homework assignments.
Hänen tehtävänsä on vastata asiakaspalvelusta.
His duty is to be responsible for customer service.
Suoritin tehtävän nopeasti.
I completed the task quickly.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'tehtävä' as 'the task-vä' - something that needs to be done.
- Connect it to 'tehdä' (to do) - a 'tehtävä' is literally 'a thing to be done'.
- The '-vä' ending sounds a bit like the start of 'valuable' - your tasks are valuable things to complete.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Finnish work and educational culture, 'tehtävä' is a central concept that reflects the Finnish value of responsibility and task completion. In schools, 'tehtävät' (plural) refers to exercises or assignments students must complete, while in workplaces it refers to one's duties or responsibilities.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'tehtävä' means 'task' or 'assignment', 'tekijä' means 'doer', 'maker', or 'factor'. Both derive from the verb 'tehdä' (to do/make) but refer to different aspects - the thing to be done vs. the one who does it.
Confused word:
Hän on kirjan tekijä.
He is the author of the book.
Notes: Both words are commonly used in educational, professional, and everyday contexts.
Mnemonic: Think: tehtävä = task (ends with 'ä'), tekijä = maker/doer (ends with 'ä' but has 'i' before it)
Explanation: 'Tehtävä' is a task to be done, while 'tehty' is the past participle of 'tehdä', meaning 'done' or 'made'.
Confused word:
Tehtävä on jo tehty.
The task has already been done.
Notes: The relationship between these words shows the Finnish grammatical pattern of forming different words from the same root.
Mnemonic: Tehtävä = task (to be done), tehty = done (already completed)