harkinnanvaraisia

Harkinnanvaraisia is the plural form of the Finnish adjective harkinnanvarainen, meaning discretionary or subject to discretion. The term describes something that is not dictated solely by fixed rules but depends on judgment, weighing of circumstances, or interpretation by an authority.

In practical use, harkinnanvaraisia describes decisions, measures, or actions where authorities have room to choose among alternatives. Common phrases include harkinnanvaraiset päätökset (discretionary decisions) and harkinnanvaraiset toimenpiteet (discretionary measures). Such decisions are distinguished from statutory or mandatory ones, which are bound by explicit rules and criteria.

Harkinnanvaraisuuden käyttö typically arises in administrative, social security, educational, and regulatory contexts. When a matter is harkinnanvarainen, decision-makers must consider relevant information, apply applicable guidelines, and justify their conclusion to ensure fairness and transparency. The concept also entails a responsibility to avoid arbitrariness and to document reasoning.

Etymologically, the term derives from harkinta (consideration, weighing) and the suffix -varainen, which signals dependence or eligibility. This linguistic construction emphasizes that the outcome depends on assessment rather than automatic application of rules.

See also: harkinta, harkinnanvaraisuus, discretionary decision in English-language contexts.