Tummaihoisia

Tummaihoisia is a Finnish term used to refer to people who have dark skin. Grammatically, tummaihoinen is the adjective meaning “dark-skinned,” and tummaihoisia is the plural partitive form used when referring to a group, as in “tummaihoisia ihmisiä” (dark-skinned people). The word is formed from tumma, meaning dark, and iho, meaning skin, with the suffix -inen to form the adjective.

Its usage is primarily descriptive rather than identifying a fixed ethnic category. In Finnish journalism and public discourse, skin color terms are used with caution because they can contribute to essentializing individuals. People are more often described by nationality, ethnicity, or immigration background when relevant, rather than by skin color alone.

Context and considerations include the diverse makeup of the Finnish population, which includes people of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent, among others. The term may appear in discussions of diversity, discrimination, or social policy, but style guides emphasize respectful language and avoiding blanket generalizations about groups. As with many terms related to appearance, it is best used selectively and with attention to context to avoid stereotyping or reducing individuals to a surface characteristic.