Soveltumaton

Soveltumaton is Finnish an adjective meaning not suitable or ill-suited for a particular purpose, situation, or context. It is used to describe things, plans, or people that do not fit or cannot be effectively employed in a given setting. The term can apply to tangible objects as well as abstract ideas, policies, or methods.

The word is formed from the verb soveltua, meaning to be suitable, together with the negative suffix -ton, producing “not suitable.” Related nouns include soveltuvuus (suitability) and soveltumattomuus (unsuitability). The adjective commonly occurs in both everyday speech and more formal texts to express lack of fit or appropriateness.

In usage, soveltumaton describes a wide range of inadequacies: equipment that cannot operate in a certain environment, proposals that do not meet the requirements, or a person who is not appropriate for a given role. It often implies practical or contextual incompatibility rather than a general defect. Synonyms and near-synonyms include sopimaton and epäasianmukainen, though each carries slightly different nuance.

Examples:

- Tämä kone on soveltumaton käytettäväksi vedenalaisissa olosuhteissa.

- Hän on soveltumaton tehtävään tämänhetkisen kokemuksensa perusteella.

- Ehdotuksesi on soveltumaton nykyiseen käytäntöön.

In English, soveltumaton translates as unsuited or unsuitable, and is part of a set including soveltuvuus (suitability) and soveltuva (suitable).