oikeutetussa

Oikeutetussa is the inessive singular form of the Finnish adjective oikeutettu, meaning justified, legitimate, or entitled. In usage, oikeutetussa describes something that is warranted or proper within a given context. The term appears mainly in legal, ethical, or normative discussions, but can also occur in ordinary speech when stressing that a condition or claim is warranted.

In Finnish grammar, oikeutetussa is formed by taking the adjective oikeutettu and adding the inessive suffix -ssa (or -ssä after i, e, or other vowels). This makes it suitable for constructions such as modifying a noun in the inessive case or serving as a predicative complement after the verb olla (to be). For example, oikeutetussa merkityksessä means “in a justified sense,” and oikeutetussa asemassa means “in a legitimate/entitled position.” The choice of inessive often conveys that justification is bound to a specific context or framework.

Usage notes and nuance: oikeutetussa emphasizes normative justification rather than mere fact. It is commonly paired with nouns referring to rights, positions, interpretations, or contexts in which a claim or action is considered warranted. The adverbial form oikeutetusti exists to express “justifiably.” Distinctions between oikeutettu and oikeutetussa are similar to English distinctions between “justified” as an attribute and “in a justified sense” as a contextual qualification.

See also: oikeus (law/right), oikeudellinen (legal), oikeutettu (entitled/justified).