Syrjäisiä

Syrjäisiä is the partitive plural form of the Finnish adjective syrjäinen, meaning peripheral, remote or marginal. It is used to describe places, groups, or things that lie on the edge of a central area of activity or influence, or that are socially outside the mainstream. In everyday language it can refer to geographic periphery as well as to communities perceived as marginal; the form is typically used with plural nouns in the partitive case, for example syrjäisiä kyliä or syrjäisiä metsiä.

Etymology and nuance: The word is built from the stem syrjä meaning edge or margin, with the suffix -inen to form an adjective. The partitive plural syrjäisiä signals description of an unspecified quantity within a plural noun, similar to other Finnish adjectives in partitive use. The term carries descriptive value, but its connotation can vary with context, ranging from neutral geographic labeling to more evaluative senses of remoteness or social marginality.

Morphology: The basic word is syrjäinen. Other common forms include syrjäisen (genitive singular), syrjäistä (partitive singular), syrjäiset (nominative plural), syrjäisten (genitive plural), and syrjäisiä (partitive plural).

Usage notes: Syrjäisiä is common in geographic, sociological, journalistic, and literary contexts when describing areas or groups on the margin of a central region. Because it can imply remoteness or limited access, writers may choose neutral alternatives depending on tone and intent.

Examples: Syrjäisiä kyliä löytyy Pohjois-Suomesta. Syrjäisiä asuinalueita pidetään usein rauhallisina mutta palveluiltaan eriyneinä. See also: periphery, marginality.