Nahka

Nahka is the Finnish word for leather or hide, referring to animal skin that has been tanned and prepared for use in goods. The term denotes both the material itself and a wide range of finished products such as footwear, belts, bags, jackets, and upholstery. In everyday Finnish, nahka is contrasted with synthetics, with keinonahka or tekonahka used for artificial leather.

Etymology: Nahka is native to Finnish and is cognate with Estonian nahk. The word derives from Proto-Finnic roots and has parallels in other Finnic languages, reflecting the shared heritage of the region’s languages.

Usage and forms: Nahka appears in many compounds, including nahkakenkä (leather shoe), nahkalaukku (leather bag), and nahkateollisuus (leather industry). The term also appears in expressions describing the conditions of leather products, such as nahkainen meaning leather-made or leather-surfaced.

Production and care: Traditional tanning methods include vegetable tanning and chromium tanning; modern production may involve synthetic coatings and finishing. Proper care extends the life of leather goods through cleaning and conditioning, and storage away from excessive heat.

See also: Leather, Tanning, Finnish language.