Älytön

älytön is a Finnish adjective used to describe something or someone that lacks sense, is nonsensical, or is clearly absurd. It is informal and common in spoken Finnish, often adding emphasis to criticism, skepticism, or astonishment. The term can modify nouns or be used predicatively, as in describing actions, statements, prices, plans, or people regarded as irrational or foolish. In everyday language it conveys a strong reaction to something perceived as unreasonable or nonsensical.

Etymology and form: älytön is built from the noun äly, meaning intelligence or mind, with the negative suffix -tön, which denotes lack of or absence. Thus älytön literally means “without sense.” The related noun älyttömyys means “foolishness” or “nonsense,” and forms such as älyttömästi (adverb) or älyttömyyden (genitive) expand the family of terms around the same idea.

Usage and nuance: Älytön is often used to express disbelief or criticism about a person’s behavior, a plan, or a price. Examples include “Se oli älytön virhe” (That was a stupid/foolish mistake) and “Tämä hinta on älytön” (This price is ridiculous). Because of its strong tone, it is more common in conversation and media aimed at general audiences than in formal writing. The word can carry either playful emphasis or sharper reproach, depending on context and intonation. Synonyms in Finnish range from tyhmä and hölmö to absurd, but älytön emphasizes lack of sense more than mere stupidity.

See also: Finnish adjectives describing judgment or absurdity; tyhmä, hölmö, absurdi, järjenvastainen; älyttömyys, älyttömästi.