Riita

Riita is a Finnish noun meaning a quarrel, dispute, or argument between people. It is used to describe disagreements ranging from minor misunderstandings to more heated conflicts. In everyday language it can refer to interpersonal clashes among friends, family, neighbours, or colleagues. The related verb riidellä means to argue with someone.

In legal or formal contexts, riita denotes a civil dispute or lawsuit. A civil matter brought before a court is often referred to as a riita-asia or riitaoikeudellinen kysymys in Finnish legal vocabulary. The term signals conflicts where private rights or obligations are at stake, such as contract disputes or property issues, rather than criminal matters. Resolution can occur through negotiation, mediation, or litigation in the appropriate court system.

Usage considerations: Riita carries a sense of conflict and disagreement, and can imply a lack of harmony between parties. It is common in both colloquial speech and official language, though in everyday talk it may be softened by context or tone. The word contrasts with terms that emphasize peace or agreement, such as sopu or rauha.

See also: riita-asia (civil matter), riidellä (to quarrel), riita (dispute in legal contexts). Notes on usage may vary with regional dialects within Finland.