pyhät

Pyhät is a Finnish term that functions as the plural of pyhä, meaning holy. In everyday Finnish it can refer to the holy ones, the saints, as well as to things or days that are sacred. Because pyhä is both an adjective and a noun in Finnish, pyhät can appear in different grammatical roles depending on the context.

Etymology and usage. The word is of Finnic origin and is cognate with Estonian püha and related Uralic forms. In religious language pyhät typically denote saints or other revered figures, for example in phrases like pyhät apostolit (the Holy Apostles) or pyhä Johannes (Saint John). In this sense pyhät behaves as a plural noun referring to sacred persons.

Beyond persons, pyhät can also describe holy days or holidays. In Finnish, compounds such as joulupyhät (the Christmas holidays) use pyhä in the sense of a sacred or special day. The plural form pyhät can thus mean multiple holy days within a period or season. In non-liturgical contexts, pyhät is less common as a standalone noun and is more often encountered in formal or religious texts, where the adjective sense of pyhä governs phrases like pyhät paikat (sacred places) or pyhät esineet (sacred objects).

Overall, pyhät is a versatile form used mainly in religious or ceremonial language, with its meaning anchored in holiness, sacredness, and reverence. In everyday language, the more common adjective pyhä is typically used, while pyhät appears in specific contexts referring to saints or holy days.