syrjitä

Syrjitä is a Finnish verb that denotes treating someone unfavorably or unequally on the basis of personal characteristics. The term is closely linked to the noun syrjintä, which refers to discrimination or biased treatment. In discussions about social life, employment, education, housing, and public services, syrjittäminen is described as the act or practice of marginalizing or excluding people because of attributes such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected features.

In usage, syrjittää describes the action of applying unequal standards or preferences that disadvantage certain groups. Discrimination can be overt, such as explicit exclusion or differential treatment, or more subtle, embedded in practices or norms. The concept is widely used in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts to analyze unfair outcomes and to advocate for equal rights and opportunities.

Etymologically, syrjitys (discrimination) is the common noun form associated with the verb, and the word appears in many compound expressions and discussions about equality and human rights. The topic is addressed by national anti-discrimination laws and by European Union directives, which prohibit discriminatory practices in areas like work, education, housing, and access to services. Remedies typically include complaints to appropriate authorities, systemic reforms, and, where applicable, legal action or mediation.