yhdessäolon

Yhdessäolon is a Finnish noun referring to the state or experience of being together with others. The form yhdessäolon is the genitive of yhdessäolo, from yhdessä meaning “together” and olo meaning “state” or “condition.” In usage, yhdessäolon denotes a sense of connectedness, shared existence, and social togetherness.

In practice, yhdessäolon can describe everyday moments of co-presence—time spent with family, friends, or colleagues—as well as broader social ties that knit communities together. It encompasses aspects of interaction, mutual respect, and support, emphasizing how people live and act in relation to others. The concept is relevant across disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, theology, and cultural studies, where it may be explored as a factor contributing to social cohesion, solidarity, and well-being.

In contemporary Finnish discourse, yhdessäolon often appears in discussions of welfare, democracy, and community life, where the quality of being together is linked to trust, cooperation, and inclusion. It is closely related to, yet distinct from, terms such as yhteisöllisyys (community spirit) and yhteisö (community); yhdessäolo focuses more on the experiential state of togetherness, while the related terms can emphasize structure or belonging.

See also: yhteisöllisyys, yhteisö, solidaarisuus, yksinäisyys.