Sokkeloiseen

Sokkeloiseen is a Finnish adjective form meaning labyrinthine or maze-like, used to describe objects, spaces, or situations that are complex, winding, or difficult to navigate. In English it is often rendered as labyrinthine.

The base of the word is sokkelo, meaning maze, with the common adjective suffix -inen. Sokkeloiseen is an inflected form used with a following noun to indicate that the description applies to the target in a particular case, for example sokkeloiseen rakenteeseen (into a labyrinthine structure) or sokkeloisen kaupungin kadut (the streets of the labyrinthine city).

Usage of sokkeloiseen spans literal and figurative contexts. In architecture and urban planning it can describe floor plans, street layouts, or building interiors with many twisting passages. In literature and film it may refer to plots, narratives, or timelines that are intricate and hard to follow. In bureaucratic or organizational contexts it can characterize processes, regulations, or decision-making that are complex and prone to confusion. The term conveys a sense of navigational challenge rather than mere difficulty, highlighting the multiplicity of interwoven elements.

See also: sokkelo, labyrinth, maze, labyrinthine. References for Finnish usage include standard dictionaries such as Kielitoimiston sanakirja and Finnish language corpora.