Epäuskottavuus

Epäuskottavuus is a Finnish noun that describes the quality of being untrustworthy, unreliable, or lacking integrity. The word derives from the verb epäuskoa—literally “to distrust” or “to be skeptical of”—combined with the suffix –tavuus, which turns a verb into a noun denoting a characteristic or state. The term is often used in both everyday conversation and in legal or academic contexts to signify a lapse in moral or professional reliability.

In legal Finnish, epäuskottavuus can denote a breach of fiduciary duty or misrepresentation, and it is sometimes cited in contract law when a party is found to have acted in bad faith. In journalism and media studies, the concept is employed to critique sources or reporters whose statements cannot be taken at face value. The term also appears in psychology, particularly in discussions of personality disorders where pattern (or lack) of honesty is a diagnostic criterion.

Related words include uskottavuus (trustworthiness), epävarmuus (uncertainty), and epäluottamus (distrust). While these terms share a common root, epäuskottavuus specifically highlights the negative trait that undermines reciprocal trust. The notion fits within broader discussions of ethical behavior, corporate governance, and interpersonal relations, and serves as an important linguistic marker for evaluating the reliability of information sources across Finnish-language discourse.

Sources include the Finnish Language Institute, Finnish legal codes, and academic publications on ethics and communication.