ristikkäisiin

Ristikkäisiin is a Finnish term that translates to "crosswords" in English. It refers to word-puzzle games where empty squares are to be filled with letters, according to given clues, to form words. The words are arranged in intersecting columns and rows. The game is played on a grid, typically black and white squares, where black squares separate words and white squares are to be filled. Clues are provided in numerical order, corresponding to the starting square of each word, and are divided into "across" (vaakasuoraan) and "down" (pystysuoraan) categories.

The popularity of ristikkäiset in Finland is significant, with numerous newspapers and magazines featuring them regularly. They are a common form of entertainment and mental exercise for people of all ages. The difficulty of ristikkäiset can vary greatly, from simple puzzles for beginners to complex ones requiring extensive vocabulary and general knowledge. Special editions, such as themed ristikkäiset or those with larger grids, are also available. The word itself, ristikkäisiin, is the illative plural of "ristikko," meaning grid or lattice. The game's objective is to deduce the correct words based on the provided clues and fit them into the intersecting pattern of the grid.