yksipuolinen

Yksipuolinen is a Finnish adjective meaning one-sided or unilateral. It describes something that concerns, affects, or originates from only one side, party, or aspect. The term is commonly used in everyday language to characterize situations where reciprocity or balance is lacking, for example in a yksipuolinen keskustelu (one-sided discussion) or a yksipuolinen päätös (unilateral decision). It can also describe viewpoints or representations that reflect only one perspective.

Etymology and nuance: the word combines yksi (one) and puoli (side). In many contexts yksipuolinen conveys a neutral description, but it can carry a critical nuance when one party bears obligations or when information is biased or incomplete.

Usage in fields: In law and contracts, yksipuolinen sopimus refers to a unilateral contract, where only one party assumes obligations upon certain conditions. In mathematics, yksipuolinen raja describes a limit taken from a single direction, such as the right-hand or left-hand limit. In discourse, expressions like yksipuolinen näkemys denote a one-sided or biased view.

Pronunciation and inflection: yksipuolinen, yksipuolisen, yksipuoliseen, yksipuoliset, etc. The word is commonly used across formal and informal Finnish, with the sense usually clear from context.

See also: bilateral, monipuolinen (multilateral, multi-faceted). While related terms exist, yksipuolinen remains the standard Finnish descriptor for one-sided or unilateral phenomena.