kähmä

Kähmä is a Finnish word that generally translates to "cramped," "stiff," or "inflexible." It can refer to a physical sensation of tightness or restricted movement in muscles or joints, often due to cold, overuse, or lack of stretching. For example, one might say their shoulders are kähmä after a long day of manual labor or if they slept in an awkward position.

Beyond the physical, kähmä can also describe a more figurative stiffness. It can be used to characterize someone's personality or mindset as being rigid, unwilling to change, or lacking in flexibility. A person described as kähmä in this sense might be resistant to new ideas, stubborn in their opinions, or generally unaccommodating. This metaphorical usage implies a lack of adaptability and a tendency to stick to established patterns, whether they are behavioral, intellectual, or emotional. The word carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a state that is undesirable or limiting.