Heikentynyt

Heikentynyt is a Finnish adjective and past participle meaning "weakened" or "impaired." It describes something that has lost strength, vitality, or functioning due to illness, damage, or deterioration. The word is commonly used in health, performance, and system-related contexts, such as describing a body’s immune response, a device’s reliability, or a situation that has deteriorated.

Etymology and forms: Heikentynyt derives from the verb heikentyä (to become weaker) and the related idea of heikko (weak). The -ntynyt suffix marks a past participle that can function as an adjective. The form agrees with the noun in number and case, for example: heikentynyt vastustuskyky (singular nominative), heikentyneet vastustuskyvyt (plural nominative); tilanne on heikentynyt (the situation has weakened).

Usage notes: In Finnish, heikentynyt can describe tangible and abstract states. It is often used predicatively, as in “Tilanne on heikentynyt,” and attributively, as in “heikentynyt vastustuskyky.” The term emphasizes a change from a previous, stronger state and is frequently used alongside nouns that denote health, capability, stability, or performance.

Related terms: heikentää (to weaken), heikentäminen (weakenment, act of weakening), heikko (weak), heikentynyt can be contrasted with similarly meaning words like heikentynyt, heikentynytkään through nuance and collocation.

See also: Finnish adjectives related to strength and deterioration, such as heikko, heikentää, heikentäminen, and the concept of becoming weaker described by heikentyminen.