rikkinäiset

Rikkinäiset is a Finnish term that literally means "the broken ones" or "the damaged ones." It functions as an adjective in the plural form rikkinäiset and can also be used as a collective noun to refer to a group of broken items or, metaphorically, to people experiencing hardship. The form comes from the adjective rikkinäinen meaning broken or damaged, with the plural suffix -iset.

Usage includes both literal and figurative meanings. Literally, rikkinäiset describes things that are not intact, such as rikkinäiset astiat (broken dishes), rikkinäiset kengät (damaged shoes), or rikkinäiset talot (damaged houses). Metaphorically, it can refer to people or communities in difficult circumstances, although this usage can carry pejorative connotations if applied to individuals and may require careful handling depending on context.

In literature and media, rikkinäiset is often used to evoke vulnerability, social critique, or empathy, aligning with themes of poverty, housing insecurity, or economic decline. The term is informal and stylistic rather than a formal sociological category; more neutral alternatives for people include köyhät (the poor) or ihmiset in general, depending on the situation.

Common collocations include rikkinäiset tavarat (broken goods), rikkinäiset talot (damaged houses), and rikkinäiset kengät (damaged shoes). The opposite concepts are ehjä or kunnossa, meaning intact or in good condition. Etymologically, rikkinäiset derives from rikkinäinen with the typical pluralization pattern in Finnish.