kuilu

Kuilu is a Finnish noun meaning an opening that is very deep or wide, typically translated as abyss, chasm, or crevice. It can refer to a physical feature as well as a metaphorical gulf between things.

In geology and geography, kuilu describes vertical openings in rock or ground—such as crevices, shafts, sinkholes, or narrow gorges. The term is used in field descriptions, maps, and scientific writing to convey depth and, often, inaccessibility. It can appear in discussions of karst landscapes, volcanic terrains, and fractured bedrock where openings form by natural processes.

In literary and everyday usage, kuilu also functions as a metaphor for a widening separation or difference between people, groups, or ideas. It can denote social, economic, or ideological divides, as in references to a gap between classes or generations, or between past and present.

Overall, kuilu is a native Finnish word with both concrete and figurative meanings. Its translation depends on context, with common renderings including abyss, chasm, and crevice.