Sitoumus

Sitoumus is a Finnish noun meaning commitment, pledge, or obligation. It refers to an undertaking to perform a certain action or to meet specified conditions, and can be informal or formal depending on the context. The term is formed from the verb sitoutua, to commit, with sitoumus denoting the resulting act or agreement.

In everyday language sitoumus often describes personal commitments, such as a decision to follow through on plans or to uphold certain values. In formal settings, the word is used for arrangements that carry some expected or binding weight, for example agreements between organizations, public authorities, or individuals. In international and public administration contexts, sitoumukset can refer to promises or undertakings that create duties or goals for parties involved, such as environmental or financial commitments.

Sitoumus sits between a mere promise (lupaus) and a legally binding obligation (velvoite or sopimus). Whether a sitoumus has legal force depends on the wording, the existence of a contract, statute, or regulatory framework, and the intentions of the parties involved. In practice, it is common to encounter sitoumukset in areas such as public policy, corporate responsibility, education, health services, and environmental agreements.

Related terms include lupaus (promise), velvoite (obligation), sopimus (contract), and sitoutuminen (the act of committing). See also related concepts in law and governance, where the precise weight of a sitoumus is determined by its specific legal or organizational context.