miinus

Miinus is the Finnish term for the minus sign and for negative values in arithmetic. It is used in mathematics, science, education, and everyday language to indicate subtraction or a number less than zero. For example, kolmes minus kaksi expresses 3 minus 2, and miinus kahdeksan denotes negative eight. The symbol itself is commonly described in Finnish as the miinusmerkki, or minus sign, and is used in both handwritten and printed work.

In Finnish contexts, miinus also appears in phrases referring to negative quantities in measurements, temperatures, and data. The word functions as a standard part of mathematical notation and is taught early in schooling to help learners understand subtraction and negative numbers. Beyond pure math, the term is encountered in science texts, technical writing, and everyday communication whenever a value is below zero or an operation reduces a quantity.

Etymology and cross-language notes: miinus is a native Finnish form used to name the arithmetic concept, reflecting a broader European tradition of borrowed terms for the minus concept. In practice, Finnish notation harmonizes with international norms, using the same minus symbol in formulas, programming, and data representation.

See also: Minus, Negative number, Subtraction, Minus sign.