ulkomaisen

Ulkomainen is a Finnish adjective meaning foreign or external, describing something that originates outside the speaker’s country or jurisdiction. It is used for people, places, objects, ideas, or practices that are not native to the given context. The term appears in everyday language as well as in formal discourse, including law, politics, journalism, and cultural commentary.

Nuanced usage centers on foreign origin, externality, or otherness relative to a reference frame such as a country, culture, or system. In contrast to ulkomaalainen, which typically refers to a foreign person, ulkomainen describes attributes rather than individuals. It can also denote a foreign or international aspect in institutions and networks, for example in expressions like ulkomaisen maan lait or ulkomaiset tuotteet.

Grammar generally follows Finnish adjective declension. Common forms include: nominative singular ulkomainen; genitive singular ulkomaisen; nominative plural ulkomaiset; genitive plural ulkomaisten. Examples: ulkomaisen maan lait (the laws of a foreign country), ulkomaiset tuotteet (foreign products), vaikutus ulkomaisen kulttuurin (the influence of a foreign culture).

Etymology traces to the prefix ulko- meaning external and the adjectives ending -mainen, forming a term that denotes origin or relevance outside a given referential context. Related terms include ulkomaa (rare), ulkomainen (in certain contexts meaning foreign/external), and ulkomaalainen (foreign person).