kärki

Kärki is a Finnish noun meaning the tip or point of an object. The term denotes the sharp end or apex and is used for both literal and technical meanings. Common examples include the arrowhead of an arrow (nuolen kärki), weapons’ tips, and the tip of a pencil or needle. In mechanical and craft contexts, kärki indicates the pointed end that defines the direction, cutting edge, or fit of a part.

Etymology and usage: Kärki is a native Finnish word connected to the concept of sharpness and pointedness. It appears in a range of contexts, from everyday objects to technical descriptions, and it also has metaphorical extensions. In figurative use, kärki can denote the leading edge or forefront of something, such as the “kärki” of a movement or project, highlighting the part that drives or directs progress.

Usage notes: The word is versatile and forms part of several common phrases referring to pointed ends or guiding edges. It is widely understood in general language as well as in engineering, crafting, and design discussions. While its most literal sense concerns physical points, the metaphorical sense as “front line” or “foremost part” is also established in Finnish usage.