seuralais

Seuralais is a Finnish noun meaning a person who accompanies another person, providing companionship, assistance, or escort. The term is used to describe someone who travels with, attends to, or stays with another person in social, official, or personal settings. In modern Finnish, seuralainen is the standard form for “the companion,” while seuralais appears in older texts, dialects, or in compound terms such as seuralaispalvelut (companionship services).

A seuralainen may accompany someone to social events, meetings, or travel, offering company, safety, or practical help. The role can be informal, such as a friend or family member providing company, or formal, under paid services or municipal arrangements that provide companionship and support for the elderly, people with disabilities, or others who need assistance to remain independent.

In care and welfare contexts, seuralaispalvelut describe organized companionship and assistance aimed at reducing isolation and supporting daily life. These services may be provided by private agencies or public social services, and they can cover activities such as social interaction, transportation, and basic assistance with errands or appointments. The concept emphasizes the social and practical dimensions of accompaniment rather than medical care.

Historically, a seuralainen could also refer to an attendant of a noble or official, accompanying them at ceremonies or travel. While the term persists in everyday language, modern usage often prefers seuralainen for the person and seuralaispalvelut for the service-based context. See also seuralainen and seuralaispalvelut.