vaihtoehtoinen

Vaihtoehtoinen is a Finnish adjective meaning "alternative" or "other" in the sense of a possible choice or substitute. It is used to describe something that can replace or complement a primary option. The term is commonly used to indicate that more than one option exists, for example in phrases like vaihtoehtoinen ratkaisu or vaihtoehtoinen ehdotus.

In usage, vaihtoehtoinen modifies a noun and agrees with it in number and case. For example, one might say "vaihtoehtoinen ratkaisu" (an alternative solution) or "vaihtoehtoiset ratkaisut" (the alternative solutions). It is often used to contrast with the primary or preferred option, as in discussing different approaches, plans, or paths.

The word is declined like other Finnish adjectives. The base form is vaihtoehtoinen, with common inflected forms including nominative singular vaihtoehtoinen, genitive singular vaihtoehtoisen, partitive singular vaihtoehtoista, nominative plural vaihtoehtoiset, partitive plural vaihtoehtoisia, and genitive plural vaihtoehtoisten. In practice, adjectives harmonize with the noun they describe.

Etymology: vaihtoehto means an option or substitute, from vaiht- (change, exchange) and ehto (condition). The adjective is formed with the suffix -nen to express “having the quality of” or “characterized by.”

See also: vaihtoehto, the noun for option or substitute, which commonly pairs with vaihto-nen adjectives in Finnish.