heikommat

Heikommat isFinnish linguistic term referring to those who are weaker in a given context. Grammatically, it is the plural nominative form of the comparative adjective heikko, as in the phrase heikommat ihmiset, meaning “the weaker people.” The word can also function as a substantive phrase, standing in for “the weaker ones.”

In usage, heikommat commonly appears in sociopolitical and economic discourse. It can denote groups perceived to have lower income, fewer resources, or greater vulnerability. Examples include statements like taloudellisesti heikommat tarvitsevat lisätukea (the economically weaker need additional support) or haavoittuvimmat ryhmät (the most vulnerable groups). The term is descriptive but can carry normative or stigmatizing connotations depending on context and tone.

Nuance and alternatives are often discussed in language use. Because referring to groups as “the weaker” can seem pejorative, writers sometimes prefer more specific formulations such as taloudellisesti heikot, pienituloiset, tai haavoittuvat ryhmät. Synonyms like haavoittuvimmat or alhaisen tulotason ryhmät may convey a clearer or more neutral meaning in policy or academic writing.

Etymology and related forms: heikko means weak; -mpi forms create the comparative, with heikompi (singular) and heikommat (plural nominative). The superlative is heikoimmat. Other cases follow standard Finnish inflection, e.g., heikompien (genitive plural) or heikkouksien yhteydessä.