Älykäs

älykäs is a Finnish adjective meaning intelligent, smart, or clever. It describes people, animals, devices, or systems that show high cognitive ability, quick understanding, or effective problem-solving. In everyday language it is used for individuals as well as objects or technologies, for example älykäs ihminen (an intelligent person), älykäs laite (a smart device), or älykäs koti (a smart home). The term is common in discussions of education, technology, media, and consumer products, and it is frequently used in contexts involving artificial intelligence to convey competence or sophistication without implying moral judgment.

Etymology: The adjective is formed from the noun äly, meaning intelligence or mind, with a Finnish suffix that creates an adjective describing someone or something possessing that quality.

Grammar: älykäs is the positive form. The comparative is älykkäämpi and the superlative is älykkäin. It agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, as in älykäs oppilas (an intelligent student) and älykkäät laitteet (smart devices).

Usage notes: älykäs can refer to practical problem-solving ability as well as theoretical knowledge. It is not used to express moral character; other terms would be used for judgments about a person’s ethics or personality. The word is widely used in Finnish media, education, and technology discourse to describe both human intelligence and the capabilities of smart devices and systems.