säännönmukaisessa

Säännönmukaisessa is the inessive singular form of the Finnish adjective säännönmukainen, meaning rule-based, conventional, or in accordance with established rules. The term is used to describe actions, processes, or states that proceed in a manner consistent with predefined norms, procedures, or patterns rather than randomly or ad hoc.

Etymology and meaning: säännönmukainen combines sääntö (rule) with muka- (like, resembling), yielding a sense of conforming to rules. The inessive suffix -ssa/-ssä marks the grammatical position “in” or “in the context of,” so säännönmukaisessa conveys “in a rule-based/in accordance with the rules” manner or setting.

Grammar: Like many Finnish adjectives, säännönmukainen inflects to agree with the noun in number and case. The base adjective appears as säännönmukainen in nominative singular; when describing something in a specific case, the form changes to match, for example säännönmukaisessa in the inessive singular. The noun being described is often understood from context, such as “menettely on säännönmukainen” (the procedure is rule-based) or “tutkimus eteni säännönmukaisessa järjestyksessä” (the study progressed in a regular/orderly manner).

Usage and nuance: The term emphasizes conformity with established standards rather than novelty. It is common in formal, technical, or analytical language—such as science, law, policy, or methodological descriptions—to contrast regular, rule-guided practices with irregular or ad hoc approaches. While closely related to synonyms like systematized or standard, säännönmukainen carries a stronger sense of adherence to explicit rules or norms.

See also: säännönmukaisuus, sääntö, mukainen.