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B1 adjective 10 min de lectura

syyllinen

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos syyllinen en 30 segundos

Explicación syyllinen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'syyllinen' means 'guilty' or 'the one who did it.' You might hear it in very simple questions like 'Kuka on syyllinen?' (Who is guilty?). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember it is the opposite of 'syytön' (innocent). You can use it to describe a person or even a pet that has done something wrong, like eating a cake they shouldn't have. It's a useful word for basic 'who' and 'why' conversations. Focus on the nominative form 'syyllinen' and the idea of 'fault.'

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'syyllinen' in short sentences with the verb 'olla' (to be). You can say 'Minä olen syyllinen' (I am guilty) or 'Hän ei ole syyllinen' (He is not guilty). You should also learn the basic plural form 'syylliset' (the guilty ones). At this stage, you might notice that the word comes from 'syy' (reason/cause). You can use it in simple social situations to admit a mistake. You should also be aware of the word 'syy' itself, which is very common. Understanding that 'syyllinen' is an adjective ending in '-nen' is important for basic declension.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'syyllinen' with more precision. You should know that it takes the Illative case to show what someone is guilty of: 'syyllinen varkauteen' (guilty of theft). You should also be comfortable using the translative case 'syylliseksi' with verbs like 'todeta' (to find/state) or 'tulla' (to become). You can express feelings using 'tuntea itsensä syylliseksi' (to feel guilty). You should be able to follow news reports or simple crime stories where this word appears frequently. Understanding the difference between 'syyllinen' (at fault) and 'vastuullinen' (responsible) is a key B1 skill.

At the B2 level, you can use 'syyllinen' in more abstract and formal contexts. You might discuss 'yhteissyyllisyys' (collective guilt) or 'sotasyyllisyys' (war guilt) in historical or political discussions. You should be able to use the word as a noun fluently, such as 'Syyllistä ei koskaan tavoitettu' (The culprit was never caught). Your use of cases (genitive 'syyllisen', partitive 'syyllistä') should be automatic. You can also use the word in idiomatic expressions and understand the nuance of 'syyllinen' versus 'aiheuttaja' (the cause/agent) in technical or legal reports.

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At the C1 level, you understand the subtle emotional and legal weights of 'syyllinen.' You can use it in sophisticated arguments about ethics and law. You are familiar with literary uses and can distinguish between various shades of guilt, such as 'moraalinen syyllisyys' (moral guilt) versus 'juridinen syyllisyys' (legal guilt). You can use the word in complex structures, such as 'Hänen syyllisyyttään ei voida kiistää' (His guilt cannot be denied). You also recognize how the word is used in media to frame narratives about responsibility and blame.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'syyllinen.' You can use it with perfect grammatical accuracy in any context, from high-level legal drafting to nuanced psychological analysis. You understand the etymological roots deeply and can appreciate wordplay involving 'syy' (reason/fiber). You can discuss the historical impact of terms like 'sotasyyllisyysoikeudenkäynti' (war responsibility trial) with full cultural context. Your vocabulary includes all related terms and you can switch between them to achieve specific rhetorical effects in both writing and speech.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

syyllinen en 30 segundos

Syyllinen means 'guilty' or 'culprit' in Finnish, derived from 'syy' (cause/reason).
It is used in legal, personal, and casual contexts to assign fault or responsibility.
Grammatically, it is an adjective ending in -nen, which changes to -se- in cases.
Commonly used with the illative case to specify the crime (e.g., syyllinen varkauteen).

The Finnish word syyllinen is a multi-faceted term that primarily translates to "guilty" in English. At its core, it is derived from the root noun syy, which means "reason," "cause," or "fault." By adding the common Finnish adjectival suffix -llinen, the word literally describes someone who is "full of cause" or "associated with the fault." This linguistic connection is vital for learners to understand because, in Finnish thought, guilt is intrinsically tied to being the cause of an event.

Legal Context: In a court of law, syyllinen is the formal verdict. If a judge finds a defendant responsible for a crime, they are declared syyllinen. It functions both as an adjective ("the guilty man") and a noun ("the culprit").
Emotional Context: In daily life, it describes the internal feeling of remorse. Finns use the construction tuntea itsensä syylliseksi (to feel oneself as guilty) to express that they feel bad about something they did or didn't do.

Oletko varma, että hän on syyllinen tähän sotkuun?

Translation: Are you sure that he is guilty of (responsible for) this mess?

One of the most interesting aspects of syyllinen is its versatility. Unlike English, where "culprit" and "guilty" are distinct words, syyllinen covers both. If you ask "Kuka on syyllinen?", you are asking "Who is the guilty one?" or "Who is the culprit?". This makes it an essential word for problem-solving, conflict resolution, and even lighthearted teasing among friends. In Finnish culture, which highly values individual responsibility and honesty, being labeled syyllinen carries significant weight. It is not a word used lightly in professional settings, as it implies a direct causal link to a failure or mistake.

Hän tunsi olevansa syyllinen tapahtuneeseen.

Translation: He felt he was guilty of what happened.

In a broader philosophical sense, syyllinen appears in Finnish literature and media to discuss collective responsibility. For instance, debates about environmental change often use the term yhteissyyllisyys (collective guilt). This shows that the word isn't just about individual crimes, but about the burden of accountability. For a learner at the B1 level, mastering syyllinen means being able to navigate both high-stakes legal discussions and low-stakes social misunderstandings. It is the bridge between cause and consequence.

Oikeus totesi miehen syylliseksi varkauteen.

Translation: The court found the man guilty of theft.

Synonym Note: While rikollinen means "criminal," syyllinen is broader. You can be syyllinen to forgetting a birthday, but you aren't a rikollinen for it.

Kissa näytti hyvin syylliseltä.

Translation: The cat looked very guilty.

To summarize, whether you are reading a detective novel (dekkari), watching the news, or apologizing for a late email, syyllinen is your go-to word for identifying who is at fault. It is a word that demands a subject and often an explanation, fitting perfectly into the logical structure of the Finnish language.

Using syyllinen correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as an adjective. Like all Finnish adjectives, it must agree with the noun it modifies in both case and number. However, syyllinen often stands alone as a predicate adjective (e.g., "He is guilty") or functions as a noun (e.g., "The guilty one").

The Predicate Structure: When you say "Someone is guilty," you use the nominative form: Matti on syyllinen. If the subject is plural, the adjective becomes plural: He ovat syyllisiä (They are guilty - partitive plural is common here to indicate a group or state).

Kuka on syyllinen tähän onnettomuuteen?

Translation: Who is guilty of/responsible for this accident?

A crucial pattern for B1 learners is the use of the Illative case (to/into) to indicate what someone is guilty of. The formula is: [Subject] + [olla] + syyllinen + [Noun in Illative]. For example, rikos (crime) becomes rikokseen. So, "Guilty of a crime" is syyllinen rikokseen.

Hän ei ole syyllinen murhaan.

Translation: He is not guilty of the murder.

In more complex sentences, syyllinen can be modified by adverbs like erittäin (extremely), mahdollisesti (possibly), or ilmeisesti (evidently). This allows for nuanced communication about suspicion and proof. For instance, in a corporate setting, you might hear: Meidän on löydettävä syyllinen ennen huomista (We must find the culprit before tomorrow). Here, syyllinen acts as the object of the verb löytää (to find), so it takes the accusative (which looks like the nominative in this specific modal construction).

Onko kukaan tunnustanut olevansa syyllinen?

Translation: Has anyone confessed to being guilty?

Negation: To say someone is NOT guilty, you can use ei ole syyllinen or the specific antonym syytön. Syytön is more common in legal contexts to mean "innocent."

Tuomari julisti hänet syylliseksi kaikkiin syytteisiin.

Translation: The judge declared him guilty of all charges.

Finally, remember that syyllinen can be used in the plural partitive syyllisiä when the number of people is indefinite or when you are talking about the existence of guilty parties: Tässä asiassa on monia syyllisiä (There are many guilty parties in this matter). This construction is very common in political commentary and historical analysis.

You will encounter syyllinen in a wide variety of environments, ranging from the very serious to the completely mundane. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the "flavor" of the word in Finnish culture.

News and Media (Uutiset): This is perhaps the most common place. Headlines like "Poliisi etsii syyllistä" (Police are looking for the culprit) or "Syyllinen löytyi DNA-testin avulla" (The guilty party was found with the help of a DNA test) are staples of Finnish journalism.
Crime Fiction (Dekkarit): Finland has a massive appetite for Nordic Noir. In books by authors like Reijo Mäki or television series like Sorjonen (Bordertown), the word syyllinen is used constantly as detectives hunt for the person responsible for the crime.

"Kuka on syyllinen?" kysyi etsivä huoneessa olevilta.

Translation: "Who is the culprit?" the detective asked those in the room.

In everyday Finnish homes, you might hear this word when something goes wrong—a broken vase, a missing chocolate bar, or a forgotten chore. Parents might ask their children: Kuka on syyllinen tähän? (Who is responsible for this?). It's often used with a slightly accusatory but sometimes playful tone. In these cases, it’s closer to the English "Whodunnit?" or "Who's the naughty one?"

Minulla on vähän syyllinen olo, koska en auttanut häntä.

Translation: I have a bit of a guilty feeling because I didn't help him.

Workplace environments also use syyllinen, though often in the context of avoiding a "blame culture" (syyllisten etsimisen kulttuuri). Managers might say: Emme etsi syyllisiä, vaan ratkaisuja (We aren't looking for the guilty parties, but for solutions). This is a very common phrase in modern Finnish corporate life, reflecting a shift toward constructive feedback.

On turhaa etsiä syyllisiä, kun vahinko on jo tapahtunut.

Translation: It is useless to look for the guilty ones when the damage has already happened.

Lastly, in historical contexts, you will hear about sotasyylliset (war-guilty parties). This specifically refers to the War Responsibility Trials in Finland after WWII. It is a heavy, emotionally charged term in Finnish history, showing how syyllinen can define an entire era of national politics.

Even for intermediate learners, syyllinen can be tricky. Most mistakes stem from case usage or confusing it with similar-sounding words or concepts.

Mistake 1: Wrong Case for the 'Crime': English speakers often want to use the partitive (like "guilty of...") but in Finnish, we use the Illative.
❌ Syyllinen varkautta
✅ Syyllinen varkauteen.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Syyllinen' and 'Pahoillaan': If you want to say "I'm sorry," do not say "Olen syyllinen" (unless you are admitting to a crime). Use "Olen pahoillani." Syyllinen implies responsibility/fault, while pahoillaan implies regret.

Hän on syyllinen, mutta ei ole pahoillaan.

Translation: He is guilty, but he is not sorry.

Another common error is the confusion between syyllinen (guilty) and syytön (innocent). While they look similar because they share the root syy, the suffixes -llinen (with/full of) and -tön (without) create opposite meanings. Syytön literally means "without cause/fault."

Learners also struggle with the translative case when someone is *found* or *declared* guilty. In English, we say "found guilty." In Finnish, the verb todeta (to state/find) or tuomita (to sentence) requires the translative syylliseksi.
❌ Hänet todettiin syyllinen.
✅ Hänet todettiin syylliseksi.

Älä tee minusta syyllistä tähän!

Translation: Don't make me (the) guilty (one) for this! (Don't blame me!)

Finally, remember that syyllinen is an adjective that ends in -nen. This means that in any case other than the nominative, the -nen changes to -se-. For example: syyllisen (genitive), syyllistä (partitive), syylliseen (illative). If you forget this mutation, your Finnish will sound very broken.

While syyllinen is the most direct word for "guilty," Finnish offers several alternatives depending on the register and the specific type of responsibility you want to convey.

Vastuullinen vs. Syyllinen: Vastuullinen means "responsible." You can be vastuullinen for a project (a good thing), but syyllinen for its failure (a bad thing). Use vastuullinen when the focus is on duty, and syyllinen when the focus is on fault.
Rikollinen: This means "criminal." While a rikollinen is usually syyllinen to something, rikollinen is a broader label for a person's identity or lifestyle, whereas syyllinen is often tied to a specific act.

Kuka on vastuussa tästä?

Translation: Who is in charge/responsible for this? (Often used instead of 'syyllinen' to be more polite).

In a more literary or old-fashioned context, you might see the word pahantekijä (evildoer/wrongdoer). This is rarely used in modern conversation except when being dramatic or talking about fairy tales. Another useful word is aiheuttaja (the one who caused). If you want to be neutral and scientific, say onnettomuuden aiheuttaja (the cause/agent of the accident) instead of syyllinen.

Hän tunsi piston sydämessään ja tiesi olevansa syyllinen.

Translation: He felt a sting in his heart and knew he was guilty.

For feelings of guilt, you can also use katuvainen (repentant/regretful). While syyllinen describes the state of being at fault, katuvainen describes the emotion following it. You can be syyllinen without being katuvainen, which is a common theme in crime dramas.

Syntinen: This means "sinful." It is strictly religious or moral. A person might feel syntinen before God, whereas they are syyllinen before the law.

By choosing the right word from this set, you can sound much more like a native speaker. Use syyllinen for the facts of the fault, vastuullinen for the duty of the role, and pahoillaan or katuvainen for the emotions involved.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In Finnish, 'syy' can still mean 'muscle fiber' or 'wood grain' today. So 'syyllinen' etymologically implies being woven into the fabric of the event.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈsyːlːinen/

US /ˈsyːlːɪnən/

Primary stress is always on the first syllable: SYY-lli-nen.

Rima con

viallinen tyylillinen kielellinen mielellinen viallisen teollinen todellinen onnellinen

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'y' like English 'ee'.
Shortening the double 'l' to a single 'l'.
Stress on the second syllable.
Mispronouncing the '-nen' ending as '-nan'.
Failing to double the 'l' sound (sylinen vs syyllinen).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to the common -nen ending.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of the -nen to -se- stem change and case usage.

Expresión oral 3/5

Double 'l' and 'y' vowel can be tricky for native English speakers.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

syy olla kuka rikos pahoillaan

Aprende después

syyttää syytön rangaistus todiste oikeudenkäynti

Avanzado

edunsaaja asianomistaja tuomioistuin syyntakeeton syy-yhteys

Gramática que debes saber

Adjectives ending in -nen

syyllinen -> syyllisen (genitive), syyllistä (partitive)

Illative case for 'guilty of'

syyllinen varkauteen (guilty of theft)

Translative case for results

todeta syylliseksi (to find guilty)

Essive case for states

hän on syyllisenä vankilassa (he is in prison as a guilty person)

Partitive plural for indefinite subjects

on monia syyllisiä (there are many guilty ones)

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Ejemplos por nivel

Kuka on syyllinen?

Who is guilty?

Simple nominative subject-complement structure.

Minä en ole syyllinen.

I am not guilty.

Negative form of 'olla' verb.

Onko kissa syyllinen?

Is the cat guilty?

Question form with '-ko' suffix.

Tämä mies on syyllinen.

This man is guilty.

Demonstrative pronoun 'tämä' + nominative.

Syyllinen on täällä.

The guilty one is here.

Using 'syyllinen' as a noun.

He ovat syyllisiä.

They are guilty.

Plural partitive 'syyllisiä' used as a predicate.

Sinä olet syyllinen!

You are guilty!

Direct address.

Kuka on syyllinen tähän?

Who is guilty of this?

Illative 'tähän' (to this).

Hän näyttää syylliseltä.

He looks guilty.

Ablative case '-lta' used with the verb 'näyttää'.

Etsimme syyllistä.

We are looking for the culprit.

Partitive case 'syyllistä' as the object of 'etsiä'.

Oletko syyllinen tähän sotkuun?

Are you guilty of this mess?

Illative case 'sotkuun'.

Syyllinen löytyi pian.

The culprit was found soon.

Passive-style meaning with intransitive verb 'löytyä'.

En halua olla syyllinen.

I don't want to be guilty.

Infinitive 'olla' after 'haluta'.

Kuka on syyllinen rikkoutuneeseen ikkunaan?

Who is guilty of the broken window?

Illative case for the object of guilt.

Hän myönsi olevansa syyllinen.

He admitted to being guilty.

Participial construction 'olevansa'.

Me tiedämme, kuka on syyllinen.

We know who is guilty.

Subordinate clause.

Tunnen itseni syylliseksi.

I feel guilty.

Translative case '-ksi' with 'tuntea itsensä'.

Hänet todettiin syylliseksi varkauteen.

He was found guilty of theft.

Translative case + Illative case for the crime.

Onko hän syyllinen rikokseen?

Is he guilty of a crime?

Illative 'rikokseen'.

Syyllinen joutuu vankilaan.

The guilty one ends up in prison.

Verb 'joutua' + Illative 'vankilaan'.

Älä syytä minua, en ole syyllinen.

Don't blame me, I'm not guilty.

Imperative 'älä syytä'.

Poliisi ei vielä tiedä syyllisen nimeä.

The police don't know the culprit's name yet.

Genitive 'syyllisen' modifying 'nimeä'.

Hänellä on syyllinen olo.

He has a guilty feeling.

Possessive structure + adjective modifying 'olo'.

Onko ketään muuta syyllistä?

Is there any other guilty party?

Partitive 'ketään muuta syyllistä' in an existential question.

Todisteet osoittavat hänen olevan syyllinen.

The evidence shows him to be guilty.

Accusative with infinitive (referative) construction.

Syyllinen yritti paeta paikalta.

The culprit tried to flee the scene.

Past tense 'yritti' + infinitive.

Hän ei tunne olevansa syyllinen mihinkään.

He doesn't feel guilty of anything.

Negative construction with 'mihinkään'.

Oikeudenkäynnissä etsittiin todellista syyllistä.

The real culprit was sought in the trial.

Passive voice + adjective 'todellista'.

Hän kantoi syyllisyyttä vuosia.

He carried guilt for years.

Noun form 'syyllisyyttä' (partitive).

Syyllinen tunnusti tekonsa lopulta.

The culprit finally confessed his deed.

Noun 'tekonsa' (his deed).

On vaikeaa elää syyllisenä.

It's hard to live as a guilty person.

Essive case '-na' showing a state.

Häntä pidetään syyllisenä onnettomuuteen.

He is considered guilty of the accident.

Essive case '-na' with the verb 'pitää'.

Syyllisyyskysymys on tässä tapauksessa monimutkainen.

The question of guilt is complex in this case.

Compound noun 'syyllisyyskysymys'.

Hän yritti vierittää syyllisyyden muiden niskoille.

He tried to shift the guilt onto others.

Idiomatic expression 'vierittää niskoille'.

Syyllinen vaikeni kuulusteluissa.

The culprit remained silent during interrogations.

Inessive plural 'kuulusteluissa'.

Yhteiskunta etsii usein helppoja syyllisiä.

Society often looks for easy scapegoats (guilty ones).

Plural partitive 'helppoja syyllisiä'.

Hänen katseensa paljasti hänet syylliseksi.

His gaze revealed him to be guilty.

Translative case showing result.

Onko olemassa sellaista asiaa kuin kollektiivinen syyllinen?

Is there such a thing as a collective guilty party?

Existential question with 'sellaista... kuin'.

Syyllinen ei osoittanut minkäänlaista katumusta.

The culprit showed no remorse whatsoever.

Partitive object 'katumusta'.

Hän vapautui syytteistä, vaikka monet uskoivat hänen olevan syyllinen.

He was cleared of charges, although many believed him to be guilty.

Concessive clause with 'vaikka'.

Syyllisen mielenrauha oli tyystin mennyttä.

The culprit's peace of mind was entirely gone.

Genitive 'syyllisen' + compound noun 'mielenrauha'.

Oikeuslaitoksen perustehtävä on erottaa syylliset syyttömistä.

The basic task of the judiciary is to separate the guilty from the innocent.

Ablative plural 'syyttömistä' (from the innocent).

Syyllinen pyrki häivyttämään jälkensä huolellisesti.

The culprit sought to obscure his tracks carefully.

Infinitive 'häivyttämään' (to make disappear/fade).

Kirjailija pohtii teoksessaan syyllisen psykologiaa.

In his work, the author ponders the psychology of the guilty.

Genitive 'syyllisen' modifying 'psykologiaa'.

Hän jäi kiinni syyllisenä valtiopetokseen.

He was caught as guilty of high treason.

Essive 'syyllisenä' + Illative 'valtiopetokseen'.

Syyllisen nimeäminen ilman todisteita on vaarallista.

Naming a culprit without evidence is dangerous.

Verbal noun 'nimeäminen' (naming).

Syyllinen kantoi tekoaan kuin polttomerkkiä.

The culprit carried his deed like a brand.

Simile with 'kuin'.

Oliko hän lopulta syyllinen vai vain olosuhteiden uhri?

Was he ultimately guilty or just a victim of circumstances?

Alternative question 'vai' (or).

Colocaciones comunes

todeta syylliseksi

tuntea itsensä syylliseksi

syyllinen rikokseen

etsiä syyllistä

ilmeinen syyllinen

syyllinen olo

yksin syyllinen

syyllinen onnettomuuteen

syyllinen varkauteen

syyllinen murhaan

Frases Comunes

Kuka on syyllinen?

— Who is the guilty one? / Who did it?

Kuka on syyllinen tähän sotkuun?

Olla syyllinen johonkin.

— To be guilty of something.

Oletko syyllinen tähän?

Syyllinen löytyi.

— The culprit was found.

Lopulta syyllinen löytyi.

Ei ole syyllistä.

— There is no one to blame / no culprit.

Tässä ei ole yhtä syyllistä.

Syyllinen on tiedossa.

— The culprit is known.

Syyllinen on jo poliisin tiedossa.

Syyllinen ja syytön.

— The guilty and the innocent.

On vaikea erottaa syyllinen ja syytön.

Etsiä syyllisiä.

— To look for people to blame.

Lopettakaa syyllisten etsiminen.

Myöntää olevansa syyllinen.

— To admit being guilty.

Hän myönsi olevansa syyllinen.

Syyllinen saa rangaistuksen.

— The guilty one gets a punishment.

Syyllinen saa rangaistuksen teostaan.

Syyllinen ilme.

— A guilty look/expression.

Hänellä oli syyllinen ilme kasvoillaan.

Se confunde a menudo con

syyllinen vs syytön

The exact opposite (innocent). Don't mix up the suffixes -llinen and -tön.

syyllinen vs vastuullinen

Means 'responsible'. You can be responsible for a task without being guilty of a crime.

syyllinen vs pahoillaan

Means 'sorry'. Being guilty (at fault) is different from being sorry (feeling regret).

Modismos y expresiones

"vierittää syyllisyys muiden niskoille"

— To shift the blame onto others.

Hän yritti vierittää syyllisyyden kollegoiden niskoille.

informal/neutral

"pisto sydämessä"

— A sting in the heart (feeling guilty).

Tunsin piston sydämessäni, kun valehtelin.

idiomatic

"syyllinen on jo nurkan takana"

— Literally 'the guilty one is around the corner', used when the culprit is obvious or close.

Älä huoli, syyllinen on jo nurkan takana.

informal

"osoittaa sormella"

— To point a finger (at the guilty one).

Ketään ei pitäisi osoittaa sormella ilman syytä.

neutral

"pestä kätensä"

— To wash one's hands (of guilt/responsibility).

Hän pesi kätensä koko asiasta.

neutral

"puhdas omatunto"

— A clean conscience (not guilty).

Minulla on puhdas omatunto.

neutral

"musta lammas"

— The black sheep (often the one blamed).

Hän on suvun musta lammas.

informal

"syyllinen omatunto"

— A guilty conscience.

Syyllinen omatunto ei jätä häntä rauhaan.

neutral

"jäädä kiinni itse teossa"

— To be caught red-handed (proven guilty immediately).

Varas jäi kiinni itse teossa.

neutral

"kantakaa syynne"

— Carry your fault (take responsibility).

Teidän on kannettava syynne.

formal

Fácil de confundir

syyllinen vs syyllistyä

It's the verb form.

Syyllinen is the person/state; syyllistyä is the act of becoming guilty/committing.

Hän syyllistyi varkauteen.

syyllinen vs syyte

Similar root.

Syyte is the legal 'charge' or 'indictment', not the person.

Syyte hylättiin.

syyllinen vs syytös

Similar root.

Syytös is an 'accusation' made by someone, which might be false.

Hän esitti vakavan syytöksen.

syyllinen vs syy

The root word.

Syy is just 'reason' or 'cause'.

Mikä on syy tähän?

syyllinen vs rikollinen

Synonym.

Rikollinen is a 'criminal' (lifestyle/identity); syyllinen is 'guilty' (specific act).

Hän on ammattirikollinen.

Patrones de oraciones

[Subject] on syyllinen.

Hän on syyllinen.

Kuka on syyllinen [Illative]?

Kuka on syyllinen tähän?

[Subject] tuntee itsensä syylliseksi.

Tunnen itseni syylliseksi.

[Subject] on syyllinen [Illative-Crime].

Hän on syyllinen murhaan.

[Object] todetaan syylliseksi.

Mies todettiin syylliseksi.

[Subject] vierittää syyllisyyden [Genitive] niskoille.

Hän vieritti syyllisyyden muiden niskoille.

Ei ole todisteita [Genitive] syyllisyydestä.

Ei ole todisteita hänen syyllisyydestään.

[Genitive] syyllisyyttä ei voida kiistää.

Hänen syyllisyyttään ei voida kiistää.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

syyllisyys (guilt)

syy (reason/cause)

syyte (charge/indictment)

syytös (accusation)

Verbos

syyttää (to accuse/blame)

syyllistyä (to commit/be guilty of)

syytellä (to keep blaming)

Adjetivos

syytön (innocent)

syyllinen (guilty)

syytetty (accused)

Relacionado

rikos

rangaistus

oikeus

tuomari

poliisi

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Finnish.

Errores comunes

Hän on syyllinen varkaudesta. → Hän on syyllinen varkauteen.
You must use the Illative case (-en, -iin), not the Elative case (-sta).
Olen syyllinen, että olen myöhässä. → Olen pahoillani, että olen myöhässä.
Use 'pahoillaan' for apologies, 'syyllinen' for actual fault/guilt.
Tuomari sanoi häntä syyllinen. → Tuomari totesi hänet syylliseksi.
Verbs of declaring require the Translative case (-ksi).
Syyllinenen mies. → Syyllinen mies.
Don't add extra syllables; 'syyllinen' is the full nominative form.
Tunnen syyllinen. → Tunnen itseni syylliseksi.
The verb 'tuntea' (to feel) requires a reflexive object and the translative case for the feeling.

Consejos

Stem Change

Always remember that -nen words like syyllinen change to -se- before case endings. Syyllinen -> Syyllisen, Syyllistä, Syylliseen.

Guilty of what?

Use the Illative case for the 'what'. If you aren't sure, use 'syyllinen siihen' (guilty of that).

Syy vs Syyllinen

Syy is 'reason'. Syyllinen is 'the person with the reason (fault)'. This helps you remember the meaning.

Directness

Finns are direct. If they say 'olet syyllinen', they mean it. It's not usually a hint; it's a statement of fact.

Translative Case

With verbs like 'todeta' (to find/state), always use 'syylliseksi'. It's a very common exam question!

Double L

The double 'l' in syyllinen is important. If you say it too fast, it sounds like 'sylinen' (which isn't a word, but sounds like 'syli' - lap).

News Keywords

If you hear 'etsitään' (is being searched for) and 'syyllistä', you know it's a crime story.

Compound Nouns

Finnish loves compounds. 'Syyllisyydentunne' (feeling of guilt) is a great word to use in stories.

Apologizing

Don't say 'olen syyllinen' to apologize for being late. Say 'olen pahoillani'. 'Syyllinen' is too formal/heavy for that.

The 'Linen' Culprit

Imagine the culprit is wearing a linen shirt. The SYYLLINEN wears LINEN.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a 'Syy' (Reason) that is 'Linen' (like the fabric). The 'Syyllinen' person is wrapped in the 'Linen' of 'Reason' for the crime.

Asociación visual

Picture a person holding a smoking gun and a sign that says 'I have the SYY (reason)'.

Word Web

Syy Syyllisyys Syyttää Syytön Syyte Rikos Oikeus Tuomio

Desafío

Try to find three things today that you are 'syyllinen' for (even small things like eating the last cookie).

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Proto-Finnic word 'syy', which originally meant 'fiber' or 'grain of wood'. This evolved to mean 'cause' or 'reason' because a fiber is a fundamental part of a structure.

Significado original: Full of cause / associated with the reason.

Uralic / Finnic.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'syyllinen' in professional settings as it is a very strong accusation.

In English, 'guilty' often has a heavy emotional weight. In Finnish, it is equally heavy but more logically tied to the 'cause' (syy).

Sotasyyllisyysoikeudenkäynnit (War Responsibility Trials) Rikos ja rangaistus (Crime and Punishment - Dostoevsky translation) Sorjonen (TV series investigating culprits)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Law & Justice

todeta syylliseksi
syyllinen varkauteen
pääsyyllinen
syyllisyys osoitettiin

Personal Relationships

tuntea itsensä syylliseksi
syyllinen olo
älä syytä minua
myöntää syyllisyys

News & Media

poliisi etsii syyllistä
syyllinen on karkuteillä
mahdollinen syyllinen
syyllistä ei löydetty

Workplace

kuka on syyllinen virheeseen
ei etsitä syyllisiä
vastuullinen vs syyllinen
syyllisten etsiminen

History

sotasyylliset
poliittinen syyllisyys
historiallinen vastuu
syyllisten tuomitseminen

Inicios de conversación

"Oletko koskaan tuntenut itseäsi syylliseksi jostain, mitä et tehnyt?"

"Kuka on mielestäsi syyllinen ilmastonmuutokseen?"

"Mitä teet, jos tunnet itsesi syylliseksi?"

"Onko helppoa myöntää olevansa syyllinen?"

"Pitäisikö syyllinen aina antaa anteeksi?"

Temas para diario

Kirjoita kerrasta, kun olit syyllinen johonkin pieneen vahinkoon lapsena.

Pohdi, onko olemassa tilanteita, joissa kukaan ei ole syyllinen.

Miten yhteiskunnan pitäisi kohdella syyllisiä?

Kuvaile 'syyllinen olo' -tunnetta ilman, että käytät sanaa 'syyllinen'.

Kirjoita lyhyt dekkaritarina, jossa syyllinen selviää vasta lopussa.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No. While it is used for criminals, you can be 'syyllinen' to something small, like forgetting to water the plants or eating someone else's lunch. It just means you are the one at fault.

The most common way is 'Tunnen itseni syylliseksi.' You can also say 'Minulla on syyllinen olo' (I have a guilty feeling).

'Vastuussa' means 'in charge' or 'responsible for'. 'Syyllinen' usually implies that something went wrong and you are to blame for it.

Yes. It can mean 'the culprit' or 'the guilty party'. For example: 'Syyllinen pakeni' (The culprit fled).

This is the translative case. In Finnish, when you are *declared* or *become* something, you use the translative case to show the change or the result of the legal process.

It can be. In a serious context, it's a heavy accusation. In a casual context, it's like saying 'It's your fault' or 'You did it!'

Use the Illative case (the 'into' case). For example: 'syyllinen petokseen' (guilty of fraud).

The nominative plural is 'syylliset'. The partitive plural is 'syyllisiä'.

The opposite is 'syytön' (innocent/not guilty).

Finns often use 'pahe' (vice) for 'guilty pleasure', but you can say 'syyllinen nautinto', though it sounds a bit like a direct translation from English.

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