satunnaiset

Satunnaiset is a Finnish adjectival form meaning random or chance. It is the plural form of satunnainen and is used to describe plural nouns (for example: satunnaiset tapahtumat, satunnaiset luvut). The word conveys that something is determined by or subject to a random process rather than a fixed rule.

In statistical and probabilistic contexts, satunnaiset is common in phrases such as satunnaiset tapahtumat (random events), satunnaismuuttujat (random variables), and satunnaislukugeneraattorit (random number generators). In everyday language it can refer to events, observations, or choices made without a predictable pattern: esimerkki: satunnaiset tapaamiset, satunnaiset valinnat.

The etymology connects to the noun form satunnaisuus, meaning randomness, from the adverbial form satunnaisesti plus the adjectival suffix -inen; the stem satunna- combines with -inen to form satunnainen, and in plural with -et to form satunnaiset. The concept is related to probability, statistics, and computer science, where randomization and stochastic processes are studied.

In Finnish usage, satunnaiset describes plural nouns; singular and other forms include satunnainen (singular nominative), satunnaisen (genitive), satunnaisia (partitive plural). The word is common in both formal technical language and everyday speech when randomness or chance is relevant.

See also: satunnaisuus, satunnaisesti, satunnaisluku, satunnaismuuttuja, satunnaisvoitto.