valtaisimmat

Valtaisimmat is a Finnish adjective in the superlative form, meaning “the most powerful” or “the most dominant.” It is the plural superlative of the adjective valtainen, which relates to power, authority, and influence. The form valtaisimmat is used before plural nouns to describe entities that hold the greatest degree of power in a given context.

Etymology and form: The base valta means power or control. From valta stem, adjectives such as valtainen are formed, and the superlative is expressed with the suffix -immat in plural, yielding valtaisimmat. The word can function attributively before a plural noun or predicatively in a sentence.

Usage: Valtaisimmat is commonly used in political, economic, or social analyses to compare actors, states, organizations, or other entities by their level of power or influence. Examples include phrases like valtaisimmat maat (the most powerful nations), valtaisimmat yritykset (the most powerful companies), or valtaisimmat tahot (the most influential actors). The term carries a nuanced, often evaluative tone, signaling a high concentration of power relative to others in the same context.

Nuance and register: While neutral in denotation, valtaisimmat can convey judgment about the distribution of power. It is more formal and analytical than everyday descriptors and is common in journalism, research, and policy discussions.

Related terms: valta (power), valtaisempi (more powerful), valtaipaisuus (power dynamics). The adjective is typically used with plural nouns in Finnish, but can also appear predicatively, as in “Nämä maat ovat valtaisimmat.”