Sukulaisista

Sukulaisista is a Finnish term formed from sukulainen (relative) and the plural elative suffix -ista/-istä, meaning “of the relatives” or “from the relatives.” It is used to refer to relatives collectively or to discuss relatives as a topic. In Finnish sentences, the elative plural form often denotes movement from or discourse about a group, so sukulaisista can translate roughly as “about relatives” or “from the relatives,” depending on context.

In ordinary language, sukulaisista appears in phrases such as “puhumme sukulaisista” (we talk about relatives) or “sukulaisista huolehtiminen” (caring for relatives). It also occurs in genealogical and demographic discussions when describing kinship networks or family history.

Culturally, the concept of sukulaiset covers a wide kin group beyond the nuclear family, including parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Attitudes toward relatives can vary by region, life stage, and individual circumstances. While urbanization and mobility influence how often relatives interact, many people in Finland still maintain prominent ties with close kin.

In scholarly and public discourse, sukulaiset are referenced in studies of kinship, family structure, and social support. Genealogy and family history research (sukututkimus) are popular activities in Finland, reflecting ongoing interest in tracing and understanding one’s relatives.

See also: sukulainen, sukututkimus, kinship.