Kuolonuhreja

Kuolonuhreja is a Finnish noun in the partitive plural form that refers to people who have died in a specified event or circumstance. The term is formed from kuolema (death) and uhri (victim or sacrifice), and kuolonuhreja is used when talking about multiple casualties in a non-definitive or ongoing sense.

Usage and context vary with tone and setting. Kuolonuhreja covers a broad range of situations, including wars, accidents, natural disasters, or epidemics. It is a neutral, descriptive term commonly found in news reporting, historical writing, and literary contexts where a solemn tone is appropriate. In more formal or official language, writers might opt for words like tappiot (losses) or kuolemantapaukset (death incidents), but kuolonuhreja remains common when the emphasis is on the human cost and the victims themselves.

Linguistic notes include its role as a plural form indicating multiple victims, typically seen in phrases such as useita kuolonuhreja (several death victims) or kuolonuhreja oli (there were death victims). The term does not imply intentional harm by a perpetrator and can be used for victims of violence, accidents, disasters, or outbreaks, depending on context.

See also: tappiot, kuolemantapaukset, uhrien määrä, kuolonuhrikontekstit.