avaramielistä

Avaramielistä is a Finnish term formed from avara, meaning broad or expansive, and mieli, meaning mind. Used as an adjective, avaramielinen describes a person or a stance that is open to different ideas, tolerant, and receptive to a wide range of opinions. In common discourse it often refers to a constructive or inclusive attitude in discussions, education, politics, and social life. The form avaramielistä typically appears as partitive singular in phrases such as avaramielistä suhtautumista or avaramielisestä keskustelusta.

Etymology and related forms: The root avara combines with mieli to express a mental attitude of breadth. The corresponding noun is avaramielisyys, denoting open-mindedness. The plural nominative form is avaramieliset, used for open-minded people, while avaramielinen is the base adjective. The structure allows various inflections to fit different grammatical contexts.

Usage and nuance: Avaramielistä conveys a willingness to listen to different viewpoints, tolerance for uncertainty, and a preference for dialogue over dogmatism. It is commonly found in journalism, essays, and policy discussions, where it can denote either a desirable trait or a critical stance toward narrow-minded approaches. It is often contrasted with kapea-ajattelisuus or tiukkasävyinen suhtautuminen (narrow-mindedness or rigid attitudes). Examples illustrate its practical sense: “Hallituksen tavoitteena on edistää avaramielistä keskustelua,” or “Keskustelussa avaramieliset voivat kuunnella eri näkökulmia.”