Valtuutetaan

Valtuutetaan is the present passive form of the Finnish verb valtuuttaa, meaning to authorize, empower, or deputize someone to act on behalf of another. The infinitive is valtuuttaa, and the related noun valtuutus denotes the act of authorizing or a document granting authority. A person who receives authority is called a valtuutettu, and in political contexts valtuutetut are elected representatives in a council (valtuusto).

Etymology and usage notes: The term arises from valtuus (authorization, mandate) with the verb-forming suffix -uttaa, a common construction in Finnish for giving or creating authority. The word is used across legal, political, and organizational contexts to describe delegation of power or representation.

Contexts and examples: In civil law, a person may grant someone valtuutus to act on their behalf in legal or financial matters; the recipient is a valtuutettu, acting as an attorney-in-fact. In corporate or organizational settings, a valtuutus can authorize another person to sign documents or make decisions, with the designated individual referred to as a valtuutettu in relation to that authority. In politics, especially at the municipal level, valtuutetut are the members elected to the city or municipal council (valtuusto) and are responsible for representing residents’ interests.

Usage distinctions: The verb valtuuttaa emphasizes the act of granting authority, while valtuutus refers to the authorization itself or the document that records it. The passive form valtuutetaan describes the recipient side—someone is being authorized—whereas active forms (valtuuttaa) describe the grantor’s action.

See also: valtuutus, valtuutettu, valtuusto, valtuutetut.