läpinäkyä

Läpinäkyä is a Finnish verb meaning to be transparent, to be clear or obvious, or to render something transparent by allowing light to pass through. It covers both physical transparency in optics and metaphorical transparency in information, processes, or governance. The related adjective is läpinäkyvä (transparent, see-through), and the noun form is läpinäkyvyys (transparency). The adverb is läpinäkyvästi.

Etymology and meaning: The term combines läpi meaning through and näkyä meaning to appear or be visible, yielding the sense “visible through,” i.e., accessible and open. In practice, läpinäkyä can describe materials that let light pass with minimal scattering as well as organizational practices that are open, verifiable, and easy to understand.

Usage: In optics, läpinäkyvä describes glass, plastic, and other substances that transmit light clearly. In social and political discourse, läpinäkyvyys is used to refer to openness, accountability, and clear communication about processes, criteria, and decision-making. The concept is common in discussions about corporate governance, public administration, and data sharing.

Forms and related terms: The verb is part of the Finnish -ä verb class and is used with standard Finnish conjugation patterns for -ä verbs. The adjective form is läpinäkyvä, the noun form läpinäkyvyys, and the adverb form läpinäkyvästi. Related terms include synonyms such as selkeä and avointen which emphasize openness and clarity.

See also: läpinäkyvä, läpinäkyvyys, transparency.