huolimatta

Huolimatta is a Finnish word meaning “in spite of” or “despite.” It functions as a postposition or a connective element and is used to indicate that an event or situation occurs despite an opposing factor. In its most common use, it governs the elative case, as in huolimatta sateesta “despite the rain.”

As a connector, huolimatta can introduce a clause with the phrase huolimatta siitä, että … “in spite of the fact that …,” or with other dependent clauses, often separated by a comma. This construction emphasizes contrast between expectations or obstacles and the actual outcome.

Grammar and style notes: the elative form after huolimatta is typical, so you will see phrases like huolimatta vaikeuksista, huolimatta siitä, että olin myöhässä. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer vaikkakin or siitä huolimatta as alternatives; huolimatta tends to be more formal or literary.

Etymology and nuance: huolimatta stems from huoli meaning care or concern, with a suffix indicating negation or absence, roughly “without care.” The expression conveys disregard for the stated condition rather than a mere concession, and it carries a tone of resolute endurance or defiance.

Examples:

- Hän meni ulos huolimatta sateesta.

- Huolimatta siitä, että olin kipeä, hän odotti.

- Tämä päätös tehtiin huolimatta vastatuulesta medialla.

See also: vaikkakin, siitä huolimatta, vaikka. Huolimatta is primarily used in written Finnish or formal speech; in informal contexts, speakers often favor synonymous constructions such as “vaikka” or “siitä huolimatta.”