epävarma

Epävarma is a Finnish adjective meaning not certain, uncertain, or insecure. It describes doubt about a fact, outcome, or course of action, or a person who lacks confidence. The term can refer to situations, plans, statements, or to a person’s feelings of doubt or hesitation.

Etymology and related forms: The word is formed from the negative prefix epä- attached to varma (certain). The prefix epä- is productive in Finnish for negation across many words, and related forms include epävarmuus (uncertainty) and other words built with epä- to express negation or doubt. The adjective épävarma belongs to standard Finnish and is widely used in speech and writing.

Grammar and usage: As an attributive adjective, epävarma agrees with the noun it modifies (for example, epävarma suunnitelma = an uncertain plan, epävarman päätöksen = of an uncertain decision). The comparative and superlative forms are epävarmempi and epävarmin. The related noun is epävarmuus. The expression olla epävarma can describe a lack of confidence or doubt about something, as in olla epävarma tulevaisuudestaan (to be uncertain about one’s future).

Examples: The outcome is epävarma. Hän on epävarma tulevaisuudestaan. Tilanne on epävarma. These illustrate the term’s use to express doubt about results, decisions, or circumstances.

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