elinikänä

elinikänä is a Finnish word that translates to "lifetime" or "lifespan" in English. It is a compound word formed from "eli" (lived) and "ikä" (age) with the genitive suffix "nä". The term refers to the total duration of a person's or organism's existence, from birth to death.

In common usage, elinikä is frequently used when discussing average lifespans of different species, such as humans, animals, or plants. For example, one might refer to the elinikä of a particular breed of dog or the average elinikä of a certain type of tree. It can also be used in a more general sense to describe the expected duration of something, even non-living objects, although this is less common.

The concept of elinikä is important in fields such as biology, medicine, demography, and ecology. It is influenced by a multitude of factors including genetics, lifestyle, environment, and access to healthcare. Understanding elinikä helps researchers and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding public health, conservation efforts, and societal planning. The word itself emphasizes the entirety of a life lived, encompassing all its stages.