Iltatyyppi

Iltatyyppi is a Finnish term meaning “evening type,” used to describe a person whose energy and productivity peak in the evening and who tends to prefer late activities, meals, and sleeping times. It is a lay concept rather than a formal psychological diagnosis, commonly found in media, blogs, and self-help contexts.

The word is formed from ilta (evening) and tyyppi (type). In everyday usage, iltatyyppi is often contrasted with aamutyppi, meaning “morning type,” and to a lesser extent with päivätyyppi, or “daytime type.” In scientific discourse, the closest related concept is chronotype, particularly the evening chronotype, but iltatyyppi is less precise and carries cultural or lifestyle associations beyond strict measurement.

People described as iltatyyppi may have a delayed circadian phase, yet patterns vary widely and can be influenced by work, schooling, caregiving, and social obligations. The label is frequently used to explain preferences for late-night activities, creativity windows, or flexible schedules, reflecting either biological tendencies or chosen lifestyles—or a combination of both.

Critics warn that the term can oversimplify individual differences and risk stereotyping, especially for people who must accommodate early wake-up timings. Despite this, iltatyyppi remains a common shorthand in Finnish popular culture for describing a broad pattern of late-day behavior rather than a clinical category. See also chronotype, morningness-eveningness, circadian rhythm.