juhla

Juhla is a Finnish noun meaning celebration, festivity, or party. It refers to a specific festive event and can be used for family gatherings, weddings, graduations, religious ceremonies, or public commemorations. The term is used in both secular and religious contexts and emphasizes the ceremonial or commemorative aspect of the occasion rather than informal leisure.

In everyday speech, juhla is often combined with other words to indicate the purpose and formality of the event. Common examples include perhejuhla (family celebration), syntymäpäiväjuhla or syntymäpäivät (birthdays), and häät (weddings). Juhla also appears in phrases describing official ceremonies or public celebrations, and in compounds such as juhlaillallinen (banquet) or juhlakakku (celebration cake).

Finnish traditions surrounding juhla typically involve food, toasts, speeches, and gift-giving. The word covers both religious ceremonies and secular occasions, from small family gatherings to national or community events. The plural form juhlat is used for celebrations in general or multiple events, while juhla refers to a specific occasion.

In contemporary usage, juhla sits alongside other terms for holidays and festivities, such as juhlapäivä or juhlapyhä, and is distinct from everyday social gatherings described as juhlat. The concept reflects how Finns organize and mark important life events and seasonal or civic milestones with ritual elements and communal participation.