Kompuutteri

Kompuutteri is a colloquial Finnish term for a computer. The word is derived from the English word computer and was adopted into Finnish pronunciation and morphology, commonly with the -eri suffix that forms a device noun in casual speech. It gained prominence in everyday language as personal computers became widespread in households during the late 20th century.

In contemporary Finnish, the formal and widely used term for a computer is tietokone. Kompuutteri is now generally regarded as informal and somewhat humorous or nostalgic. It appears more often in spoken language, in lighthearted writing, or in contexts aiming for a retro or playful tone rather than in technical or official communication.

Usage and register vary by speaker and region, but the word is typically understood across Finnish-speaking communities. It may be encountered in media aimed at younger audiences, in retro computer nostalgia, or in conversations where a less formal tone is appropriate. As technology and terminology evolve, kompuutteri has largely receded from formal discourse but remains a recognizable facet of Finnish language history.

See also: tietokone, tietotekniikka, informaatio- ja viestintätekniikka.