Väljemmät

Väljemmät is the plural form of the Finnish adjective väljempi, meaning more lenient or less strict. It is used to describe rules, practices, or attitudes that allow greater freedom or fewer restrictions, typically in comparison to a baseline that is stricter.

In usage, väljemmät often appears in discussions about regulation, governance, education, business, and social policy. It contrasts with tiukemmat or tiukemman, which refer to stricter rules or conditions. The form väljemmät is applied to plural nouns, for example väljemmät säännöt (more lenient rules) or väljemmät ehdot (more permissive terms). The corresponding singular form is väljempi.

Etymology and nuance: väljempi is formed from the root väljä, meaning loose or slack, with the comparative suffix -empi. The plural ending -t yields väljemmät when describing plural nouns. The term carries a neutral descriptive tone and is commonly used to characterize shifts toward greater freedom or flexibility rather than to advocate for a particular policy.

Context and related terms: Väljemmät is often discussed alongside opposing terms such as tiukemmat (tighter/stricter) and sallivammat (more permissive). It can describe legal regulations, administrative practices, or social norms that have become less restrictive, as well as attitudes toward reform or reformulation of guidelines.

Example: Hallituksen päätökset ovat johtaneet väljemmät säännöt aloilleen.