Kuolevainen

Kuolevainen is a Finnish noun meaning “a mortal” or “a being subject to death.” It refers to beings that can die, most commonly humans, and is often used in philosophical, religious, or literary contexts to contrast mortals with immortals or deities. The term emphasizes human finitude and the universal condition of mortality.

Etymology and form: Kuolevainen is formed from the root kuole- meaning death, combined with the suffix -inen (a productive Finnish ending for agents or descriptors). This yields a noun designating someone who is connected with death or has the property of mortality. The plural form is kuolevaiset; the word is part of a larger semantic field including kuolevaisuus (mortality) and kuolemattomat (the immortals).

Usage: In modern Finnish, kuolevainen is relatively formal or literary. It appears in philosophical discussions, theology, fiction, and discussions of the human condition. In everyday speech, speakers may use more common expressions such as ihminen (human) or kuoleva (dying person) depending on the nuance desired. The term can carry neutral descriptive connotations or, depending on context, ethical or existential overtones.

See also: kuolema, kuolevaisuus, kuolemattomat, mortality, death in literature.