Alkukauden

Alkukauden is a Finnish noun phrase that refers to the early phase of a season. It is used to describe the initial period within a season’s schedule or cycle and can apply across various domains, with sports and broadcasting being the most common contexts. The term signals that something pertains to the beginning part of a season rather than its later stages.

In sports journalism and discussion, alkukauden ottelut or alkukauden pelejä denote matches played during the early part of a season. The exact time frame of the early season varies by league and sport, often spanning from late summer to autumn in the northern hemisphere. The phrase is frequently used when assessing teams’ form, injuries, or tactical adjustments specific to the initial phase of competition.

Etymology and grammar: alkukauden is the genitive singular form of alkukausi, meaning “early season.” In compound phrases, alkukauden modifies a noun to indicate “early-season” as in alkukauden ottelut (early-season matches). The form also appears in adverbial expressions such as alkukauden aikana (during the early season).

See also: kausi, alkukausi, loppukausi, sportin kaudet.