1läheisen

1läheisen is a Finnish sociological term that refers to the most trusted close friend a person has. The term literally translates into English as “first close friend” and is used to distinguish this particular friend from other friends who may be close but less intimate. 1läheisen is typically someone with whom an individual shares personal secrets, seeks advice, and receives emotional support.

The concept emerged in the 1990s in the wake of changing social networks in Finland. Researchers began to differentiate between a broad category of “close friends” (lykäs ystävä) and the single friend that holds a primary position in an individual’s social life. In survey studies, respondents are asked to identify their 1läheisen and rate the level of mutual trust, routine contact, and degree of emotional closeness. This measure is also used in studies of adult attachment and in research on loneliness and well‑being.

Because the term is specific to Finnish cultural context, it has few direct analogues in other languages. Some scholars compare 1läheisen to the English concept of “best friend” or to the German "enge Freundschaft," though the precise selection criteria differ. 1läheisen functions not only as a measurable variable but also as a cultural marker of intimate relational hierarchies in Finland.

The usage has expanded in recent years to cover digital friendships found on social media, where the same criteria of trust and emotional support are applied. 1läheisen continues to be a useful construct for researchers studying the dynamics of friendship and social support across age groups.