tarkoituksenmukaiset

Tarkoituksenmukaiset is a Finnish adjective form used to describe things that are appropriate or in accordance with their intended purpose. The plural form is commonly applied to actions, measures, devices, or procedures that are suitable for the use they are meant to serve.

Etymology and form: The term is a compound of tarkoitus (purpose) and mukainen (in line with, corresponding). The base singular nominative form is tarkoituksenmukainen, with the plural nominative being tarkoituksenmukaiset. The adverbial form is tarkoituksenmukaisesti, and the corresponding noun is tarkoituksenmukaisuus, meaning appropriateness or suitability.

Usage: The expression is frequent in official, regulatory, and standards- or procurement-related language. It appears in phrases such as tarkoituksenmukaiset toimenpiteet (measures appropriate for the purpose) or tarkoituksenmukaiset tiedot (information suitable for the intended use). It signals that something meets the requirements set by its intended function or user needs.

Nuances and related terms: Tarkoituksenmukainen is closely related to, but distinct from, asianmukainen (proper or appropriate in a general sense) and soveltuva (applicable or suitable for a specific use). In some contexts the concept overlaps with the English term fitness for purpose, used to describe whether a product or action fulfills its intended function. Finnish usage may prefer more precise phrasing like käyttötarkoitukseen soveltuva or tarkoituksenmukaisuus to avoid ambiguity.

See also: Purpose, suitability, compliance, standards language, Finnish terminology in law and policy.