poljin

Poljin is a Finnish noun meaning pedal. The term derives from the verb polkea, meaning to tread or stomp, and it is used to describe a foot-operated lever that transmits the user’s pressure into mechanical work.

The most common use of poljin is on bicycles, where it refers to the pedal that the rider pushes with the foot to rotate the crank and drive the chain. A bicycle typically has two polkimet, one on each crank arm, and their design can vary from flat platform pedals to those compatible with toe clips or clipless systems. Beyond bicycles, poljin is used to denote pedals on other equipment and machines that are operated by pressing a foot or feet, such as sewing machines or various industrial devices, where the pedal controls speed or a specific action.

In everyday language, poljin can contrast with other means of actuation, such as hand levers, and it emphasizes the foot-based method of operation. The word forms part of a broader family related to tread or stamping actions, and it is always understood within the context of a pedal-driven mechanism.

See also: polkea (to tread), polkimet (pedals), jalkapoljin (foot pedal) in common usage.