ittelu

Ittelu is a Finnish noun meaning mockery, teasing, or taunting directed at another person. The term is used in everyday language to describe verbal behavior that aims to humiliate, ridicule, or provoke a reaction, and it can occur in face-to-face interactions as well as online. The severity of ittelu ranges from lighthearted banter among friends to hostile or persistent taunting that can harm the recipient.

In social and educational contexts, ittelu is often discussed in relation to broader patterns of interpersonal conduct. It may be perceived differently depending on tone, intent, frequency, and the power dynamics between the people involved. When ittelu is repeated or directed at a protected characteristic, it is more likely to be treated as harassment or bullying. In Finnish schools and workplaces, ittelu is frequently addressed within anti-bullying and digital safety policies, with emphasis on recognizing harmful behavior, setting boundaries, and promoting respectful communication.

Distinctions exist between ittelu and related concepts. While ittelu focuses on mockery and ridicule, kiusaaminen (bullying) encompasses a wider range of coercive or intimidating behavior, and ilkeily refers more generally to meanness or spiteful conduct. In contemporary discourse, forms of ittelu online can resemble trolling or roasting, where context and audience shape whether the behavior is taken as playful or harmful.

See also: kiusaaminen, kiusanteko, ilkeily, online harassment.