mätönmättä

mätönmättä is a Finnish word that describes a state of being completely devoid of any physical sustenance or food. It implies an extreme emptiness, often used metaphorically to describe a severe lack of resources or opportunities, not just hunger. The word is formed from "mätä," meaning rotten or decayed, and the suffix "-ttömä," indicating absence, combined with the translative case suffix "-ttä." This etymology suggests a state so empty that even decay has no material to act upon, or a profound emptiness that has reached a final, absolute degree.

While literally referring to the absence of food, mätönmättä is more commonly employed in figurative language. For example, someone might say their wallet is "mätönmättä" if it contains no money. Similarly, a project might be described as having a "mätönmättä" start if it lacks any initial funding or resources. The term carries a strong sense of desolation and hopelessness due to the complete lack it conveys. It is an informal expression, not typically found in formal written contexts but common in everyday spoken Finnish. The intensity of the word makes it suitable for emphasizing a dire situation.