salaiset

Salaiset is the Finnish adjective meaning "secret," used to describe nouns that are hidden, restricted, or not disclosed. In modern Finnish, the plural form salaiset accompanies plural nouns: salaiset tiedot (secret information), salaiset asiakirjat (secret documents), salaiset aiheet (secret topics). The singular counterpart is salainen.

The term derives from the verb salata, meaning "to hide," and is related to the noun salaisuus, meaning "secrecy" or "secret." It is commonly used in both official and everyday language to denote confidentiality or restricted access. In administrative or legal contexts, forms like salaiset tiedot or salaiset asiakirjat designate information that is not available to the public; in more formal or technical contexts you may also encounter salatut tiedot, where the past participle signals that the information has been classified or concealed.

Usage notes: salaiset typically precede the noun, agreeing in number with it. The degree of secrecy can be indicated with qualifiers, such as erittäin salaiset (top secret) or luottamukselliset (confidential). The term is opposed by julkiset or avoimet, meaning public or open.

Overall, salaiset functions as a core descriptor in Finnish for anything kept from public view or access, ranging from everyday references to formal classifications.