lippu

Lippu is a Finnish noun with two common meanings. It can refer to a flag, the piece of fabric used as an emblem or symbol of a country, organization, or group, and it can also mean a ticket, a document that grants admission or passage to an event, transport, or venue. The word can be used in both senses in everyday language.

In the flag sense, lippu denotes a physical banner or flag that is raised on a pole or displayed on ships, buildings, or at ceremonies. Flags are used to mark territory, signal identity, or mark occasions such as national holidays and sports events. In Finland, the national flag is known as the siniristilippu, a blue Nordic cross on a white field. There are also different flag variants for official and maritime use, and etiquette surrounding flag display is observed in many contexts.

In the ticket sense, lippu refers to a piece of paper or a digital credential that proves entitlement to entry or transport. Tickets are issued for travel (buses, trains, flights) and for events such as concerts or movies. They can be purchased in various formats, including electronic tickets and mobile passes, and common phrases include ostaa liput (to buy tickets) and lipun haltija (ticket holder).

Etymology is uncertain, reflecting its widespread use in Finnish to denote both a symbol of a group and a pass to an event or service. The word highlights how a single term can cover distinct objects that function as permission or representation in social life.