Päinöerä

Päinöerä is a Finnish term that translates to "out of order" or "malfunction" in English. It is commonly used to describe a situation where something is not working correctly or has ceased to function as intended. This can apply to a wide range of objects and systems, from simple household appliances to complex machinery and even abstract concepts like a process or a plan.

The word is often used in everyday conversation to express frustration or to report a problem. For example, someone might say "pesukone on päinöerä" if their washing machine has broken down. Similarly, a traffic light being out of order could be described as "liikennevalot ovat päinöerä". The term implies that the normal operation has been disrupted and requires attention or repair.

Beyond the literal meaning of mechanical failure, päinöerä can also be used metaphorically. If a plan is not going as expected or if a situation is chaotic, one might say that things have gone "päinöerä". This suggests a deviation from the intended course or a loss of control. The context in which the word is used generally clarifies whether it refers to a physical object or a more abstract issue.