virtuaalinen

Virtuaalinen is a Finnish adjective meaning "virtual" or "not physically existing but created by software or simulation." It is used to describe things that exist in a simulated, digital, or otherwise non-physical form. The term is common in information technology, digital media, and everyday speech and helps distinguish between tangible objects and their digital or simulated counterparts. Common examples include virtuaalinen todellisuus (virtual reality), virtuaalinen ympäristö (virtual environment), and virtuaalikoneet (virtual machines).

Etymology and usage notes: The word derives from Latin virtualis and entered Finnish through standard European linguistic routes, with usage expanding alongside computing and digital media in the late 20th century. In Finnish, virtuaalinen is primarily used in compound terms to describe the characteristics of non-physical representations.

In computing contexts, virtuaalinen describes outputs or resources created by software that emulate real devices or environments. The process of creating such representations is known as virtuaalisointi or virtualization; virtuaalinen describes the result rather than the process itself. The term also applies to non-technical domains, such as virtuaalinen tapahtuma (virtual event) or virtuaalinen kokous (virtual meeting).

Relation to other concepts: virtuaalinen is distinguished from todellinen (real) and reaalinen as the context allows. It is part of a broader vocabulary around virtualization, digital media, and online interaction.

See also: virtuaalisointi, virtuaalitodellisuus, virtuaalinen tapahtuma, virtuaalinen ympäristö, tietotekniikka.