vuorokaudet

Vuorokaudet refer to 24-hour periods, i.e., intervals of one day consisting of 24 hours. The singular form vuorokausi denotes a single 24-hour span, while vuorokaudet is its plural. In Finnish everyday language the term is used to describe durations that are measured in complete 24-hour blocks, rather than calendar dates.

The concept is distinct from the calendar day, which is the 24-hour interval from one midnight to the next. A vuorokausi does not always align with a calendar day and is often defined from a specific starting moment. For example, kolmekymmentäkuusi vuorokauden päästä means after 24 hours from now, not necessarily after the end of a particular calendar date. People commonly say kaksivuorokautta or kolmevuorokautta to indicate 48 or 72 hours, respectively, counted as consecutive 24-hour periods.

Usage and context vary by field. In everyday speech, vuorokaudet are used to describe durations, deadlines, or the passage of time in terms of 24-hour blocks. In medical, logistical, or legal contexts, the term helps standardize time calculations, such as dosing intervals, shift planning, or deadlines that are defined by continuous 24-hour periods rather than calendar dates.

See also: day, calendar day, time, duration.