Tyyppi

Tyyppi is a Finnish noun with several related meanings that are widely used in everyday language. In its most common sense it denotes a type, kind, or category of something, as in phrases like erilaiset tyypit or samaa tyyppiä, where it functions to classify objects, concepts, or phenomena. The word also appears in technical contexts, particularly in computing and science, to refer to a data type or type classification, for example tietotyyppi.

In addition to its generic sense, tyyppi can refer informally to a person, typically translated as “a guy” or “a fellow.” In colloquial speech it is used to talk about someone with a recognizable set of characteristics, such as se tyyppi oli kiltti, meaning that particular person was kind. The tone can range from neutral to friendly or slightly dismissive depending on context and intonation.

Etymology and usage notes: tyyppi is derived from a Swedish root typ or typ, with Finnish suffixation to form a common noun. The sense shift from a broad “type” to a reference to a person arose through metaphorical use of “that type of person.” The plural form is tyypit, and the genitive is tyypin. In formal writing, more precise terms such as laji, luokka, or tietotyyppi are often preferred, depending on the context. In everyday spoken Finnish, tyyppi is a flexible term that covers both classifications and informal references to people.