Laittomasta

Laittomasta is the elative singular form of the Finnish adjective laiton, meaning illegal. It is used to indicate origin or source from something illegal and typically appears before a noun that is in the elative case. In practice, it is most commonly seen in formal or journalistic language discussing illegal activities or statuses.

Etymology and form: The word is built from laiton plus the elative suffix -sta, which in Finnish signals origin or source from the head noun. Because Finnish adjectives decline to match the case and number of the noun they modify, laiton takes the appropriate elative form to produce laittomasta when used with a following noun such as maahanmuutto or toiminta.

Usage and examples: Laittomasta is frequently found in discussions of policy, law, and public discourse. Examples include phrases such as Laittomasta maahanmuutosta on keskusteltu paljon (There has been a lot of discussion about illegal immigration) and Laittomasta toiminnasta aiheutuu seuraamuksia (Illegal activity leads to consequences). The form signals that the head noun is being described as originating from or connected to illegality.

Nuances: Laittomasta is primarily a formal or specialized usage. In everyday language, speakers may opt for simpler constructions or use the noun laiton in other cases or the adjective laillinen (legal) when contrasting legality. It is not a standalone noun; it functions as an adjective in the elative form to modify another noun.

See also: Finnish grammar, elative case, adjective declension, laiton, maahanmuutto.