Yksityishenkilön

Yksityishenkilön is the genitive form of the Finnish term yksityishenkilö, which means a private individual. The word refers to a person acting in a private, non-official or non-corporate capacity. In many contexts it is synonymous with private person or natural person, though in formal legal language the term luonnollinen henkilö is also used to denote a natural person.

In usage, yksityishenkilön signals possession or relation: for example, yksityishenkilön oikeudet (the rights of a private person) or yksityishenkilön suostumus (the consent of a private individual). The plural form is yksityishenkilöiden, as in yksityishenkilöiden oikeudet. The term is common in everyday Finnish as well as in administrative and legal texts, where it helps distinguish individuals from entities such as companies or other oikeushenkilöt (legal persons).

Legal context distinguishes between private individuals and legal entities. In Finnish law, individuals are often referred to as yksityishenkilöt or luonnolliset henkilöt, with private law (yksityisoikeus) governing relationships between them. By contrast, organizations, companies and other bodies that have legal personhood fall under oikeushenkilöt, and operate within public or private law frameworks accordingly.

In data protection and privacy contexts, the concept aligns with personal data tied to a living private person. Expressions like yksityishenkilön henkilötiedot emphasize information relating to a private individual rather than to a corporate or public body.

Overall, yksityishenkilön is a versatile term used to denote a private individual in Finnish, with nuance depending on formality and legal context.