epäpuhtautena

Epäpuhtautena is the translative form of the Finnish noun epäpuhtaus, meaning “as impurity” or “in the capacity of impurity.” It is used to describe something that is considered or described as an impurity in a given context. The form is created by adding the translative suffix -na to the noun stem, yielding epäpuhtautena. This form is commonly found after verbs of judgment or description, such as pidettiin epäpuhtautena or nähtiin epäpuhtautena.

Etymology and meaning: epäpuhtaus is built from epä- (not, lacking) and puhtaus (purity). Epäpuhtautena thus conveys the idea of being regarded or treated as impurity, rather than simply labeling purity or impurity in a static sense.

Usage: The translative form is primarily found in formal, literary, or technical language, especially in discussions of ritual purity, ethics, law, or sociocultural analysis. In everyday speech, speakers more often use epäpuhtaus or phrases describing impurity without employing the translative form.

Examples:

- Hänet pidettiin epäpuhtautena rituaalisten määräysten mukaan.

- Kriittisissä teksteissä epäpuhtautena voidaan viitata yhteisön moraalisiin epäkohtiin.

Grammatical note: The translative form marks a change of state or a role that a subject is attributed or perceived to have, aligning with Finnish usage where -na/-nä signals “as” or a state of becoming.

See also: epäpuhtaus, puhtaus, rituaalinen puhtaus, epäpuhtaudesta (genitive form).