evää

Evä is a Finnish noun referring to provisions or supplies carried for a journey, hike, or other outdoor activity. In standard Finnish the more common form for the singular is eväs, while evä is a colloquial or dialectal variant that many speakers use in everyday speech. The plural eväät is frequently used to denote a supply of food and drink for a trip.

Evä can cover meals, snacks, and beverages that one brings along rather than items bought at the destination. Typical eväät include bread, cheese or cold cuts, fruit or vegetables, cookies or pastries, and a drink such as coffee in a thermos or water. The concept also encompasses practical items that support sustenance on the go, such as a reusable container, utensils, and sometimes a small sweet or energy snack.

Usage and context are important. The expression "ottaa eväät mukaan" (take provisions with you) is common among hikers, students on field trips, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts. In Finnish outdoor culture, eväät represent preparedness and self-sufficiency, reflecting a long-standing tradition of enjoying nature with properly planned sustenance.

Related terms include eväs, the more standard singular form, and eväsrasia or evästuote for packaged or ready-made provisions in more formal contexts. While evä is widely understood in everyday speech, many speakers would prefer eväs in formal writing or when referring to a single portion.