Luvatonta

Luvatonta is a Finnish adjective meaning unauthorized or forbidden. It describes actions, uses, or conditions that occur without the required permission, license, or authorization. The word is formed from lupa, meaning permission, with the negative suffix -tonta, and can function both predicatively (Se on luvatonta) and as a modifier in noun phrases (luvaton käyttö, luvaton kopiointi). In Finnish, the form changes with case, producing phrases such as luvatonta käyttöä or luvatonta kopiointia.

In regulatory and legal contexts, luvatonta signals that an activity is not allowed because it lacks the necessary permit. The term emphasizes the absence of authorization rather than general illegality, though it can overlap with illegal or prohibited behavior depending on the law or regulation involved. More precise terms such as lupa (permit) or ilman lupaa (without permission) are common in formal text, while luvatonta appears in everyday language and public notices to convey a clear sense of rule-breaking.

Common uses include describing unauthorized use of equipment, access to restricted areas, or copying and distribution without authorization. Examples in everyday language might include phrases like Se on luvatonta or Tämä toiminta on luvatonta, depending on the context and required case endings.

See also: lupa, ilman lupaa, laillinen, laitonta.