Yllättävästi

Yllättävästi is a Finnish adverb meaning “in a surprising way” or “surprisingly.” It is formed from the adjective yllättävä (surprising) with the adverbial suffix -sti, which is the standard way to create adverbs from adjectives in Finnish. The word is used to describe the manner in which an action occurs or the way a state presents itself, signaling that the result is unexpected or notable.

In usage, yllättävästi typically modifies verbs or adjectives and can also modify entire clauses to emphasize the degree of surprise. For example, Tulokset olivat yllättävästi selkeät (“The results were surprisingly clear”) illustrates a surprising level of clarity, while Hän vastasi yllättävästi rauhallisesti (“He answered surprisingly calmly”) shows an unexpected calm in response.

Etymologically, yllättävästi derives from yllättävä, meaning surprising, with the common Finnish adverb suffix -sti. This formation is part of a broader pattern in Finnish where many descriptive adjectives can be turned into adverbs by adding -sti, often without altering the stem beyond standard phonological adjustments.

Nuances and register wise, yllättävästi is widely understood in both spoken and written Finnish but is more common in formal, descriptive, or literary contexts than in casual speech. It can convey a stronger sense of the unusual or noteworthy quality of an event or behavior than the more general adverbial forms.

See also: yllättävä, yllättää, Finnish adverb formation.