kirppis

Kirppis is Finnish term for a flea market or second-hand shop. It denotes informal venues or stores where people sell used goods, and can refer to both temporary flea markets (kirpputori) and permanent second-hand shops.

Most kirppikset operate by sellers renting a table or space, or by bringing items to display; buyers browse, inspect, and often negotiate prices, although some markets use fixed pricing. Common goods include clothing, shoes, toys, books, furniture, and kitchenware.

Kirppikset can be organized as weekend events in schools, community centers, or malls, and there are online kirppis formats and classified platforms such as Tori.fi that function like virtual flea markets.

Economically and socially, kirppis promote reuse and affordable shopping, contributing to the circular economy. They provide low-threshold opportunities to sell and buy used goods and can serve as social spaces within communities.

The word kirppis is a shortened form of kirpputori; kirpputori means flea market, while kirppis, kirppari, and kirpputori are used interchangeably depending on region and context. They coexist with traditional second-hand shops (kierrätyskeskukset) in Finland.