erehdys

Erehdys is a Finnish noun that denotes a mistake or error. It can refer to a mistaken belief, an incorrect action, or an incorrect result. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in formal writing, including journalism, education, and legal or scientific discourse. Erehdys can imply a misjudgment or misinterpretation rather than a purely mechanical fault, though it can describe a miscalculation as well.

Compared with virhe, which is a broader term for fault, erehdys often stresses a specific error arising from faulty assumption, incomplete information, or faulty reasoning. In some contexts, it can carry a slightly milder or more narrative tone, such as describing a past mistake rather than a recurring fault.

Form and usage: Erehdys is a regular Finnish noun with standard inflection. The singular and plural forms follow ordinary patterns, and the word appears in both spoken and written Finnish. In sentences, it can be used to describe incorrect conclusions, flawed judgments, or mistaken actions.

Etymology in Finnish: The word is native to Finnish, with usage dating to older language periods. The precise historical derivation is not widely discussed in common reference works, but it is established in contemporary Finnish lexicon.

Related terms: virhe (error), moka (blunder), väärinkäsitys (misunderstanding). Erehdys is often contrasted with these terms to convey nuance about the nature or source of a fault. Overall, erehdys is a well-established, neutral descriptor for a particular kind of error arising from mistaken reasoning or information.