kuolevaiset

Kuolevaiset is the Finnish plural noun meaning mortals, i.e., human beings who are subject to death. It contrasts with immortals such as gods or spirit beings in religious, mythological, and literary contexts. In everyday language the term is most often used in formal or rhetorical writing; more common everyday words for people are ihmiset.

Etymology: Kuolevaiset stems from the adjective kuolevainen (mortal), which in turn comes from kuolema (death). The plural noun kuolevaiset denotes multiple mortals; the singular form is kuolevainen. The word is typically used in contexts that emphasize mortality or human finitude.

Usage: In religious or mythological texts, kuolevaiset refers to humans as distinct from gods or other immortals. In philosophy or fiction, the term is used to discuss human fragility, mortality, and the limits of power. It can appear attributively (kuolevaiset olennot) or predicatively (hän on kuolevainen, meaning “he/she is mortal”). The expression is common in discussions of ethics, fate, and the human condition.

In Finnish culture, the concept underscores themes of death, responsibility, and what it means to be human. The term may appear in classical literature, sermons, or contemporary fantasy, often alongside references to immortality or divinity. Related terms include ihmiset (people) and more specific expressions for mortal beings or human existence.