Vastuuton

Vastuuton is a Finnish adjective meaning lacking responsibility or accountability. It describes behavior, actions, or people who are considered careless, reckless, or negligent in duty. The word is formed from the noun vastuu, meaning responsibility, plus the suffix -ton, which signals absence or lack. The word can be used for persons or actions, for example “vastuuton teko” (an irresponsible act) or “vastuuton käytös” (irresponsible conduct).

Usage and nuance: Vastuuton carries a strongly negative evaluation and is typically used in moral, political, or social critique. It may be applied to individuals, organizations, or decisions that are perceived as failing to meet obligations, neglecting consequences, or disregarding others’ welfare. In Finnish, it is common to say “Hän on vastuuton” or to describe a situation as “vastuuttoman toiminnan tulos.” Like other adjectives, vastuuton inflects for number and case, e.g., vastuuton, vastuuton, vastuutonta, vastuutonta, vastuutomien, depending on the grammar context.

Related terms and contrasts: The direct opposite is vastuuton’s antonym, vastuullinen, meaning responsible or accountable. Other related expressions include epävastuullinen (irresponsible, with nuance of lacking foresight) and phrases such as vastuun kantaminen or vastuun väistäminen, which refer to assuming or avoiding responsibility.

See also: vastuu, vastuullisuus, epävastuullinen. This entry provides a concise overview of the term’s meaning, usage, and relationships within Finnish vocabulary.