Vaatimukset

Vaatimukset is a Finnish noun that can refer to two main ideas: requirements or criteria that must be met in order to qualify for something, and formal demands or claims, often in a legal or administrative context. The plural form vaatimus- becomes vaatimukset in everyday use.

Etymology and sense evolution: Vaatimus comes from the verb vaatia, meaning to demand or require. The noun form is used to describe things that are expected, prescribed, or asserted as necessary, ranging from practical prerequisites to legally binding claims.

Common usage and contexts:

- Everyday and educational settings: vaatimukset describe the criteria necessary for eligibility or participation, such as qualification requirements for a program, job, or grant. Examples include age limits, documentation, or prior experience.

- Engineering and product development: vaatimukset are the functional and non-functional requirements that define what a system or product must do and how well it must perform. They are often collected during requirements gathering and documented in specifications.

- Legal and administrative contexts: vaatimukset can denote formal claims or demands, such as compensation requests, insurance claims, or contractual demands. The term may appear in phrases like “vaatimukset täytettävä” (the requirements must be met) or “vaatimusperuste” (basis for a claim).

Related terms and nuances: vaatimusmukaisuus or vaatimustenmukaisuus refers to conformity or compliance with requirements. Other related expressions include vaatimuslista (list of requirements) and vaatimusten asettaminen (setting of requirements). The word carries a neutral, descriptive tone in most contexts, unless paired with evaluative language (e.g., stricter or looser requirements).