intressi

Intressi is a noun used in several Nordic languages, most prominently Finnish, where it denotes interest, stake, or concern in a person, group, or matter. It also appears in economic and financial contexts to refer to financial interest or gains from capital, though everyday language often uses korko (interest rate) or tuotto (return). In general usage, intressi can express personal or organizational involvement, curiosity, or affinity for a subject.

The word derives from the Romance word for interest, such as French intérêt, via historical contact between Finnish and other European languages. The sense of stake comes from the idea of being connected to or concerned with something.

In practice, intressi has several overlapping senses:

- Personal or organizational stake: your share or involvement in a project or company.

- Financial sense: the return on an investment or the concept of interest associated with lending money, with korko or tuotto used in everyday language.

- Personal interest or hobby: what you find interesting or care about.

- Legal or corporate context: an ownership interest or claim in an entity.

Cross-linguistically related terms exist in neighboring languages, with cognate forms reflecting a shared root, though exact spellings vary by language. In Finnish usage, the term remains flexible and widely understood to cover both tangible stakes and abstract concerns, as well as financial nuances depending on context.