eiteknisiä

Eiteknisiä is a Finnish adjective meaning non-technical or not technological. It is used to describe things, methods, or approaches that do not rely on advanced technology or specialized technical skills. The term is commonly applied in discussions about solutions, designs, and processes to distinguish them from technology-driven alternatives.

Etymology and grammar: The word is formed from the negation ei- meaning "not" and tekninen meaning "technical." It behaves like other -inen adjectives in Finnish. In plural contexts it appears as eiteknisiä, the partitive plural form, for example eiteknisiä ratkaisuja (non-technical solutions) or eiteknisiä menetelmiä (non-technical methods).

Usage and contexts: Eiteknisiä is used in policy, business, education, architecture, and project planning to emphasize non-technical, accessible, or low-tech aspects. It can describe approaches that avoid sophisticated equipment, digital tools, or specialized expertise in favor of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, or broad usability. The term does not inherently judge quality, but signals a contrast with technical or technology-heavy options.

Nuance and limitations: While often aligned with low-tech or human-centered solutions, eiteknisiä does not automatically imply inferiority. Its meaning depends on context, and in some cases it may be paired with qualifiers (for example, relevant, feasible, or appropriate) to reflect suitability rather than preference.

See also: tekninen, teknologia, low-tech, digitalisaatio.