Reaallinen

Reaallinen is a Finnish adjective used to denote something that is real, actual, or tangible, as opposed to hypothetical, nominal, or imaginary. In everyday language it can describe a situation that exists in fact, such as a real risk or a real problem, and it is commonly paired with phrases like reaali tilanne or reaali elämä to emphasize empirical reality.

In scientific and mathematical contexts the term is closely linked to real numbers and real-valued concepts. The word underpins the contrast between what can be measured or observed and abstract or imaginary constructs. In Finnish mathematics, related terminology includes real numbers (reaaliluvut) and real-valued functions, where reaallinen conveys the same sense of authenticity or factuality that the English “real” carries in these domains.

In economics and social sciences reaallinen is used to distinguish inflation-adjusted, or inflation-corrected, quantities from nominal figures. Phrases such as reaali tulot (real income), reaali palkka (real wage), and reaali kasvu (real growth) reflect values that reflect actual purchasing power or physical quantities rather than face values. The related concept reaali-talouden (the real economy) is also common, contrasting with financial or speculative sectors.

Etymology wise, reaallinen derives from the broader Finnish family around reaali, itself connected to the Latin realis and its European adaptations. In standard modern Finnish the related adjective is commonly seen as reaali- or reaalinen forms, with minor dialectal or stylistic variations across texts.

Notes: The distinction between reaallinen and todellinen—truth versus empirical actuality—can be subtle and context-dependent. Todellinen often emphasizes truth or authenticity, while reaallinen foregrounds empirical existence or measurable reality.