Lailliset

Lailliset is Finnish for “lawful” or “legitimate” and serves as the plural form of the adjective laillinen. The word is formed from the noun laki, “law,” with the common adjectival suffix -llinen, which conveys that something complies with laws or is authorized under regulations. In ordinary language, laillinen describes actions, statuses, or objects that meet legal requirements.

The plural form lailliset is used both attributively and, occasionally, as a shorthand noun phrase referring to those who are legally authorized. Examples of attributive use include phrases such as lailliset tulonlähteet (legitimate sources of income), lailliset kortit or lailliset passit (authorized/valid passes), and lailliset omistajat (legitimate owners). When used as a substantive, lailliset can indicate a group of people or entities that have legal authorization, typically accompanied by a clarifying noun.

In legal and regulatory contexts, concepts related to lailliset appear in terms like laillisuus (legality) and laillinen toiminta (lawful activity). The word is neutral in tone and common in formal writing, media reporting on regulation, and everyday speech when distinguishing what is permitted or sanctioned from what is prohibited.

Relation to other terms: laillinen contrasts with laiton or laitonta, which denote illegality. The concept of laillisuus emphasizes compliance with applicable laws and official standards, rather than subjective legitimacy.