matalinta

Matalinta is a Finnish term meaning “the shallowest.” It functions as the superlative form of the adjective matala (shallow or low) and is used to indicate the smallest depth within a defined area, such as a lake, river, coast, or seabed, as well as the shallowest layer or zone in non-aquatic contexts. The suffix -inta is part of its formation, allowing matalinta to operate as both an attributive adjective and a nominalized phrase in suitable constructions.

In practice, matalinta is most common in hydrological and geographical descriptions where precise depth contrasts are relevant. It can denote the shallowest part of a water body or the shallowest layer within a sediment profile, for example. The term is also used in ecological surveys to identify the shallowest habitat zones that may support particular species or processes. Beyond technical usage, matalinta can appear in journalism and literature to convey superficiality or lack of depth in thinking or analysis, though in such contexts it tends to be more metaphorical than strictly descriptive.

Etymology and forms: matala meaning shallow or low, with the suffix -inta to form a superlative or nominalized expression. The word may appear in different grammatical constructions depending on case and number, as with other Finnish superlatives.

See also: matala, syvyys, pintataso.