sanahakuja

Sanahakuja are word search puzzles in Finnish. The term sanahaku is formed from sana, meaning "word," and haku, meaning "search." In a typical sanahaku, a grid filled with letters contains a list of hidden words. The challenge is to locate all the words in the grid, with words allowed to run in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—and often backwards. Some puzzles also include diagonal wrap-around or extra decoys.

Sanahakuja are widely used in Finnish education and media. They appear in classroom worksheets to support vocabulary learning and spelling, as well as in newspapers, puzzle books, and online platforms. They can vary in difficulty by changing grid size, word length, or the number of hidden terms. Modern sanahaku tools let users generate custom puzzles with chosen themes, such as nature, foods, or historical terms.

Solving outcomes include locating all listed words; in some formats, the remaining letters spell a hidden message or reveal an additional word. Sanahakuja are popular for their simple mechanics, accessibility for learners, and suitability for self-study or group activities.