kohtalokas

Kohtalokas is a Finnish adjective meaning "fatal," "deadly," or "fateful." It is used to describe events, actions, or situations whose consequences are serious, dangerous, or irreversible, and it often carries the nuance that fate or destiny has played a decisive role. In practice, kohtalokas can refer to literal death as well as to life-changing or catastrophic outcomes that feel predetermined or unavoidable.

The word is formed from the noun kohtalo, meaning fate or destiny, with the suffix -kas indicating the possession of the quality described. Thus the term literally conveys something bearing the mark of fate. In everyday language, kohtalokas can be used for both concrete, tragic outcomes and more figurative, symbolic turning points.

Common usages include phrases such as kohtalokas virhe (a fatal or ruinous mistake), kohtalokas päätös (a fateful decision), and kohtalokas kohtaaminen (a fateful encounter). The term is frequent in journalism, literature, and public discourse, where it lends weight and a sense of inevitability to events or choices. While it often denotes death or severe harm, it can also describe decisions or events that have profound, irreversible consequences without necessarily causing immediate death.

Related concepts include synonyms like fatal, deadly, or fateful, though kohtalokas carries a distinctive sense of destiny or turning point. It remains a versatile descriptor in Finnish for emphasizing the serious or irreversible nature of outcomes.