epäilevään

Epäileväinen is a Finnish word that translates to "skeptical" or "doubting" in English. It describes a person or a mindset characterized by a lack of immediate belief or acceptance of something. An epäileväinen person tends to question information, look for evidence, and consider alternative explanations before forming a conclusion. This attitude can be applied to a wide range of subjects, from everyday claims to scientific theories and even personal relationships.

The term can carry slightly different connotations depending on the context. In a positive sense, being epäileväinen can be seen as a sign of critical thinking and intellectual caution, preventing gullibility and promoting a more informed understanding of the world. It encourages a thorough examination of facts and a resistance to unfounded assertions. However, in certain situations, an excessive or unwarranted epäileväinen attitude might be perceived as mistrustful, cynical, or overly negative, hindering progress or collaboration.

The etymology of the word traces back to "epäillä," meaning "to doubt." The suffix "-väinen" functions as an adjective-forming suffix, indicating a characteristic or tendency. Therefore, epäileväinen literally means "having the characteristic of doubting." It's a common adjective used in everyday Finnish conversation to describe a person's disposition towards accepting new information or propositions.