Tapauskohtaisiin

Tapauskohtaisiin is a Finnish adjective form meaning case-specific or on a case-by-case basis. It is derived from tapaus (case, incident) and kohtainen (pertaining to), and is used to describe decisions, policies, or assessments that are tailored to the particulars of each situation rather than applying a blanket rule.

In Finnish, adjectives decline to reflect number and case, and tapauskohtaisiin is one inflected form used with a plural noun in a specific grammatical case. The form signals flexibility and individualized consideration in how rules or guidelines are applied. The concept is common in formal and administrative language, including legal, regulatory, and policy texts, where outcomes depend on the facts of each case.

Usage of the term emphasizes discretion and evaluative judgment. It is typically contrasted with universal or general rules, underscoring that outcomes may vary based on circumstances. In English, the closest equivalents are "case-by-case," "case-specific," or "on a case-by-case basis," and tapauskohtaisiin serves a similar pragmatic function in Finnish discourse.

Variants of tapauskohtainen include different inflected forms to agree with nouns in various numbers and cases. The term is frequently seen in official documents, guidelines, and analysis where precise, situation-dependent decisions are necessary. While widely understood in administrative contexts, tapauskohtaisiin is more common in formal Finnish than in everyday speech.

See also: tapauskohtainen, case-by-case language, regulatory interpretation.