Krooniset

Krooniset is the plural form of the Finnish adjective krooninen, meaning chronic or long-lasting. In Finnish, krooninen describes conditions, states, or processes that persist over a long time or recur. The term is most common in health-related contexts but can also appear in everyday language to describe long-standing situations.

In medical usage, krooniset is typically paired with a noun, for example krooniset sairaudet (chronic diseases) or krooniset vaivat (chronic conditions). A disease or condition is described as chronic when it persists beyond the period of an acute illness, often lasting months or years and usually requiring ongoing management rather than a cure. This contrasts with akutti, the Finnish word for acute.

Etymology and form: krooninen derives from the Swedish kronisk, which in turn traces to the Latin/Greek roots related to time (chron-). The Finnish suffix -inen turns the stem into an adjective, and the plural form krooniset is used when agreeing with multiple nouns.

Usage notes: The term krooniset is widely used in medical literature, public health discussions, and patient information to emphasize long-term management, rehabilitation, and health-system planning. In broader discourse, krooniset can describe any long-standing condition or trend, not limited to medicine. The related noun kroonisuus refers to chronicity or the state of being chronic.

Overall, krooniset denotes the plural category of chronic conditions or characteristics, serving as a common descriptor in Finnish for lasting health-related issues.