rööbas

Rööbas is a Finnish word that translates to "track" or "rail" in English. It most commonly refers to the parallel steel rails that form a railway line, upon which trains travel. These rails are typically made of steel and are laid on sleepers (ties) that are embedded in ballast, a layer of crushed stone or gravel. The ballast provides drainage and stability for the track structure.

The term rööbas can also be used in a more general sense to describe any set of parallel lines or grooves that guide movement. For example, it might be used to describe the tracks of a sliding door or the grooves in a record player. In a figurative sense, rööbas can refer to a well-established course of action, a routine, or a predictable pattern of behavior, as in "elama rööbasel" meaning "to live a life on track" or "to follow a routine".

The construction and maintenance of rööbas are crucial for the safe and efficient operation of railways. The precise distance between the two rails, known as the gauge, is a critical dimension that varies across different railway systems worldwide. Factors such as the weight of trains, speed, and environmental conditions all influence the design and upkeep of rööbas.