kohtuullisin

Kohtuullisin is the superlative form of the Finnish adjective kohtuullinen, meaning reasonable, moderate or fair. It is used to denote the most reasonable or fair option, outcome, or state within a set of possibilities. For example, kohtuullisin ratkaisu means the most reasonable solution, and kohtuullisin hinta means the fairest price.

Grammatically, kohtuullisin is an attributive adjective that agrees with the noun in number and case. The superlative is formed from the stem kohtuullis- with the suffix -in: kohtuullisin, with related forms such as kohtuullisimpia (superlative plural) and kohtuullisimman (genitive singular). The comparative form is kohtuullisempi (more reasonable).

Usage is common in formal and semi-formal Finnish, particularly in argumentation, negotiation, economics and consumer discourse. It signals normative evaluation, indicating that among several options, one is judged as the most sensible, prudent or fair under the given criteria.

Etymology traces kohtuullinen to a root related to measure or proportion, with the suffix -ullinen forming an adjective meaning “having the quality of.” Consequently, kohtuullinen conveys moderation or fairness, and kohtuullisin literally means “the most in accordance with measure.”

See also: kohtuullinen, kohtuuttomuus (the opposite concept), kohtuullisesti (adverbial form). Related synonyms include reilu and asiallinen; antonyms include kohtuuttomasti and äärimmäinen.