Isyyden

Isyyden is a Finnish noun form that refers to fatherhood or paternity. The word isyys denotes the state or role of being a father, and isyyden is the genitive singular form of isyys, commonly used when paternity is described in relation to another noun or in possessive constructions. It appears in contexts ranging from everyday language to legal and sociological discussion.

Etymology and form: Isyys is formed from the root isä (father) with the abstract-noun suffix -ys, producing a general term for the quality or state of being a father. The inflected form isyyden marks the genitive singular, indicating “of paternity” or “the paternity of.” This allows isyyden to modify other nouns in phrases such as lapsen isyyden selvittäminen (the determination of the child’s paternity) or isyyden tunnustaminen (the acknowledgment of paternity).

Usage and nuance: In Finnish, isyys and its genitive isyyden are most common in formal, juridical, or scholarly contexts. They appear in discussions of family law, parental rights, and social policy. In everyday speech, speakers more often refer to the concrete relationships or use related terms like isä (father) rather than focusing on the abstract notion of isyys.

See also: isä, isyys, lapsen isyyden selvittäminen, isyyden tunnustaminen.