irrallisuus

Irrallisuus is a Finnish noun describing the state or quality of being detached, separated, or estranged. The term is used to refer to both personal experiences and social phenomena where individuals or groups feel disconnected from others, institutions, or their environment. It derives from the idea of something being set apart or distant, signaling a distinction between what is considered central and peripheral.

In psychology, irrallisuus can refer to emotional distance, a sense of unreality, or alienation from one’s own experiences or identity. In sociology and cultural studies, it is used to discuss social alienation, marginalization, or the perception of a gap between individuals and broader social structures such as work, politics, or culture. In literature and philosophy, irrallisuus is often employed to describe existential estrangement—the feeling of being separated from meaning, others, or the self.

The concept is largely qualitative and interpretive, frequently explored through narrative analysis, interviews, or critical discourse rather than through quantitative measurement. It is typically considered in relation to ideas of belonging, integration, and participation, and it can vary from temporary states to more persistent conditions.

See also: alienation, detachment, isolation, belonging, social integration.