Tilaisuuden

Tilaisuus is a Finnish noun meaning an occasion, event, or ceremony. It denotes a planned gathering for a specific purpose, such as a meeting, celebration, or public function, and it can also mark an opportunity to do something. The form tilaisuuden is the genitive singular, used to express possession or relation to the event, for example tilaisuuden järjestäminen (the organization of the event).

In Finnish grammar, tilaisuus is a neuter noun. Its plural is tilaisuudet, and the partitive singular is tilaisuutta. The genitive singular tilaisuuden is used after prepositions requiring genitive or to show ownership, as in tilaisuuden avaus or tilaisuuden lopetus, meaning the opening or closing of the event.

Usage and nuance: Tilaisuus is common in official statements, calendars, and media, where a formal or ceremonial character is implied more often than with more general terms like tapahtuma. It can also describe a chance or opportunity, for instance "antaa tilaisuuden oppia" = to provide an opportunity to learn. The word often occurs in compound forms such as juhlatilaisuus (a ceremonial event) or virallinen tilaisuus (an official function).

Etymology: tilaisuus is a native Finnish noun formed with the suffix -aisuus, creating an abstract noun from the base concept of an event or occasion. The word is used across Finnish-speaking contexts to refer to planned gatherings as well as opportunities.