Yksityis

Yksityis is a Finnish derivational prefix that signals private or non-public status. Derived from the adjective yksityinen (private), it is used to form compounds that refer to the private sector, private ownership, or privacy. In everyday Finnish, yksityis- appears in numerous nouns and adjectives and is typically contrasted with public-oriented terms such as julkinen.

Common examples include yksityisyritys (private company), yksityisomistus (private ownership), yksityisyys (privacy), yksityishenkilö (private individual), and yksityisyrittäjä (private entrepreneur). The prefix also appears in terms related to economics and law, such as yksityistäminen (privatization). These compounds show how the prefix shifts meaning toward private ownership, privacy, or private initiative rather than public control.

Orthography and usage: In standard Finnish, yksityis- is written as a bound morpheme in compounds rather than as a standalone word; hyphenation may occur in headlines or for readability. The prefix forms a contrast with julkinen (public) in discussions of ownership, services, and data protection. Related concepts include yksityisyys, yksityishenkilö, and privatization terminology.