Epäsuora

Epäsuora is a Finnish adjective meaning indirect or not direct. It is used to describe things that are not presented, experienced, or stated in a direct manner. The term spans many domains, including language, law, economics, and everyday descriptions of relationships or effects.

In linguistics and grammar, epäsuora puhe refers to reported speech, and epäsuora lainaus to indirect quotation. In indirect speech, statements are relayed rather than quoted verbatim. For example, direct: Hän sanoi, "Minä menen kotiin." Indirect: Hän sanoi, että hän meni kotiin. The term covers nuances such as tense backshifting and pronoun adjustments that accompany reported content.

In economics and taxation, epäsuora vero denotes taxes that are collected indirectly through prices or transactions rather than paid directly by individuals. A common example is value-added tax (VAT), which is charged on goods and services at various stages of production and consumption rather than as a direct tax on income. Epäsuora verotulonsiirto is a typical feature of many tax systems, influencing consumers and businesses through prices rather than personal tax returns.

Etymology-wise, epäsuora is formed from the negating prefix epä- and suora (direct), yielding a straightforward contrast with suora. The term appears in many compound forms to describe non-direct relationships, communications, or effects.

See also: suora (direct), epäsuora lainaus (indirect quotation), epäsuora puhe (indirect speech), epäsuora vero (indirect tax).