Välismaalane

Välismaalainen is a Finnish noun and adjective that designates a person from a foreign country, i.e., a foreigner. The term is used for someone who is not Finnish or not from Finland, and it appears in everyday language as well as in media and statistics. Generally, välismaalainen is neutral in tone, but the perception of the word can depend on context and speaker intention.

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of välis-, a prefix meaning external or foreign (related to foreign lands), with maa meaning land or country, plus the suffix -lainen, which forms nouns denoting a person associated with a place or group. The standard inflected forms include välismaalaisen (genitive), välismaalaisille (illative), and the plural välismaalaiset.

Usage and nuance: Välismaalainen can refer to someone from outside Finland, including visitors, students, workers, residents, or immigrants, depending on context. Ulkomaalainen is another common term for “foreigner” and is often broader;Some contexts distinguish between civics or legal status and origin, with ulkomaalainen sometimes used in regulatory language and välismaalainen in descriptive or sociolinguistic contexts. While generally neutral, the word can feel distant or othering in certain sentences or tone, so sensitivity to context is important.

Related terms include ulkomaalainen, maahanmuuttaja, and ulkomaalaisuus, which are used in related discussions of nationality, immigration, and foreign status.