vahti

Vahti is a Finnish noun meaning guard, watchman, or sentry. It refers to a person whose job is to watch over a place, process, or event in order to protect people, property, or security. In modern Finnish, vahti is commonly used for security personnel employed by private security firms, hospitals, schools, event venues, and industrial sites. Historically, the term could also describe a warder or guard in fortifications or estates. The word is typically neutral and can be used in formal contexts such as job titles or official descriptions of security duties.

Etymology and related terms: Vahti derives from the verb vahtia, meaning “to watch.” It is cognate with Estonian vaht, reflecting a common Finnic linguistic heritage. Related Finnish terms include vahti (watcher), valvoja (supervisor or monitor), and vartija (guard). While all these terms concern watching or guarding, vahti often conveys active watching duties and shift in guard-related roles.

Usage and context: In contemporary usage, vahti denotes a person on watch or duty, and it can appear in job descriptions or discussions of security arrangements. In some contexts, more specific terms such as vartija or urheilu- or tapahtumaturva may be used depending on the setting. In historical or literary texts, vahti may refer to a warden or guard associated with a fortress, prison, or large estate.

See also: guard, sentinel, watcher; Finnish verbs vahtia, and related nouns valvoja and vartija.