työkaveri

Työkaveri is a Finnish noun meaning a person one works with, i.e., a coworker or colleague in a workplace. The term denotes a working relationship and does not by itself indicate formal status or hierarchy. A työkaveri can be someone in the same team or in a different department, with whom one collaborates during daily tasks. While colleagues often become friends, the word does not imply friendship.

Etymology and usage: The word is a native Finnish compound formed from työ (work) and kaveri (buddy). It is commonly used in everyday speech. In writing, both työkaveri and kollega are used; työkaveri tends to be more informal and everyday, while kollega is slightly more neutral or formal. There is also työtoveri, an older or more formal term that may appear in historical or literary contexts.

Usage in context: In Finnish workplaces, people refer to their coworkers as työkaveri or työkaverit in the plural. Examples: “Kävin eilen kahvilla työkaverini kanssa.” “Hän on hyvä työkaveri.” The term focuses on the working relationship rather than personal status, and it is widely understood across different industries and regions in Finland. See also related terms such as kollega and työtoveri for nuances in formality and register.