Lausumatta

Lausumatta is a Finnish adverbial participle meaning “without speaking” or “unspoken.” It is formed from the verb lausua, “to utter” or “to say,” with the suffix -matta, which creates forms that express omission or negation of the action. The construction is primarily used in written Finnish, especially in literary or formal prose, to convey restraint, silence, or an act performed without words.

Etymology and form: Lausua provides the stem laus-; adding -matta yields lausumatta, the adverbial participle that can modify a clause or accompany a verb to indicate speechless action. This pattern parallels other -matta forms such as sanomatta (from sanoa, “to say”), which likewise express doing something without speaking. Lausumatta is most common in literary contexts and is less frequent in everyday speech.

Usage and examples: Lausumatta can introduce or accompany a verb to show that speech did not occur. Examples include: Lausumatta hän nousi ja poistui, meaning “Without saying a word, he rose and left.” Another example: Hän vastasi lausumatta, “He answered without speaking.” The form can also function as an introductory modifier: Lausumatta kuunteli, she listened without speaking, underscoring restraint or focus on nonverbal cues.

Nuance and register: Lausumatta carries a formal or literary tone. It emphasizes omission of speech rather than the content of silence, and may convey discretion, reluctance, or dramatic restraint. It is not a substitute for everyday phrases like “without saying anything,” which in spoken Finnish is more common.

See also: sanomatta; sanoa; lausua. These relate to the construction and usage of speech-related participles in Finnish.