henkinen

Henkinen is a Finnish adjective used to describe non-material aspects of human life, such as the mind, emotions, values, and the inner life. It denotes phenomena that are not physical or tangible and is often contrasted with aineellinen, meaning material or physical. The term derives from henki, meaning spirit, breath, or life force, and forms adjectives with the suffix -inen.

In everyday language, henkinen appears in phrases such as henkinen hyvinvointi (mental or spiritual well-being), henkinen kasvu (inner or moral growth), henkinen tasapaino (inner balance), and henkinen kuormitus (psychological burden). In health care, education, and social discourse, it is used to describe mental resilience and emotional welfare, while in religion and philosophy it refers to the inner life, beliefs, and moral character. The nuance of henkinen depends on context, ranging from psychological and emotional dimensions to spiritual or moral ones, and it is frequently paired with terms like henkinen pääoma (intrinsic capital) or henkiset arvot (spiritual values) to discuss intangible assets.

Translations into English vary with context; henkinen can be rendered as mental, spiritual, or psychological, depending on usage. The term is common in Finnish policy, welfare discussions, education, health, and culture, where it serves to emphasize the importance of the inner life alongside material conditions.