Glossary

This page will list terms and their translations related to the Finnish military, sometimes with short explanation. You can use the "Search" function of your browser to find the translation from English to Finnish as well.

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Last updated: September 15th, 2016



A

  • Adjutantti - Adjutant / Aide-de-camp

  • Ahkio - Sled / Akio
    Term for all the different Nordic and Sami sleds. A number of types were used by the Finnish Defense Forces.

  • Aikasytytin - Time fuze
    Time delayd fuze, in an artillery grenade or hand grenade. See Kranaatti, Käsikranaatti.

  • Ajomies - Driver
    Generally used for the coachmen of horse-drawn carriages, but can be used for a driver of a car as well.

  • Ajomiina - Drifting Contact Mine
    Term for drifting contact mines. See Miina.

  • Ajoneuvo - Carriage / Vehicle
    Ajoneuvo can refer to cars, trucks, horse-drawn carriages etc.

  • Ajoneuvoasema - Vehicle depot
    A depot or collection point for vehicles.

  • Ajoneuvorivistö - Vehicle column

  • Aktiiviupseeri - Cadre Officer
    Lit. Active officer. Term for professional cadre officers in the Finnish military. See Upseeri, Kantahenkilökunta.

  • Alainen - Junior / Subordinate
    Term generally used to refer to any subordinate in general.

  • Alikersantti - Corporal
    Lit. Under Sergeant. The lowest NCO rank in the Finnish military. Also the highest rank an Enlisted Man can reach without going through NCO school. See Aliupseeri.

  • Aliluutnantti - Second Lieutenant
    Navy equivalent of Second Lieutenant. See Vänrikki

  • Alipäällystö - Non-Commissioned Officer
    Alipäällystö is often translated as Non-Commissioned Officer, but includes Aliupseeri, Upseerioppilas and Upseerikokelas. See Aliupseeri, Päällystö.

  • Aliupseeri - Non-Commissioned Officer
    Aliupseeri is the umbrella term for all the NCO ranks: Alikersantti, Kersantti, Ylikersantti, Vääpeli and Sotilasmestari. See Aliupseerikoulu.

  • Aliupseerikerho - NCO Mess

  • Aliupseerikoulu - NCO School
    Aliupseerikoulu - or AUK for short - is the generic term for all the NCO Schools. See Reserviupseerikoulu.

  • Alokas - Conscript
    Lit. Beginner, but refers to a conscript who has not passed the basic training. It is not concidered a military rank. See Varusmies.

  • Alokaskoulutus - Basic Training

  • Alueammunta - Area Fire

  • Aluevesi - Terrotorial Waters

  • Alusvaatteet - Under garments
    Term for all the under garments worn by a soldier.

  • Amiraali - Admiral
    Amiraali is the highest rank in the Navy, equivalent to Kenraali.

  • Ammattisotilas - Professional Soldier

  • Ammus - Ammunition
    Any projectile, bullet or shell that is fired out of a weapon.

  • Ammusajoneuvo - Ammunition Vehicle
    A vehicle carrying ammunition.

  • Ammuskeskus - Ammunition Depot
    Center for storing and distributing ammunition.

  • Ammuskolonna - Ammunition Column
    Column of ammunition vehicles. See Ammusajoneuvo.

  • Ammuskulutus - Ammunition Expenditure

  • Ammuskuoppa - Ammunition Pit
    Ammunition pit used to store ammunition.

  • Ammuslaatikko - Ammunition Box

  • Ammuslaji - Type of Ammunition

  • Ammusmies - Ammunition Carrier
    A soldier who's job it is to carry ammunition, e.g. in artillery.

  • Ammustäydennys - Ammunition Resupply

  • Ammusvaunu - Ammunition Truck

  • Ampuja - Gunner
    Ampuja can be a gunner of any weapon, crew served or a vehicle.

  • Ampujan apulainen - Assistant Gunner
    Lit. Assistant to the Gunner. Generally assistant of a crew served weapon, such as a machine gun.

  • Ampuma-ala - Firing Area

  • Ampuma-asento - Firing Stance

  • Ampuma-aukko - Embrasure
    Lit. Firing hole. Refers to any hole, recess or groove that is used to fire a weapon from, including firing holes in vehicles.

  • Ampumaharjoitus - Firing Practice
    See Ampumakoulutus.

  • Ampumahauta - Firing Trench
    The portion of trench used for fiting and firing weapons from.

  • Ampumahautapeili - Trench Periscope
    Hand held periscope used to look out from the trench. Often made in the field.

  • Ampumaketju - Firing Line
    Firing or Skirmish line, a squad or platoon level tactic.

  • Ampumakoroke - Firing Stand
    A raised stand used in firing practice or a raised step in a trench.

  • Ampumakoulutus - Firing Training
    See Ampumaharjoitus.

  • Ampumakuoppa - Foxhole
    Lit. Firing pit. Official term for a foxhole.

  • Ampumarata - Shooting Range

  • Ampumasektori - Firing Sector
    Firing sector of individual soldier or weapon.

  • Annos - Ration
    Lit. Portion. Can refer to food rations or daily portion of ammunition. See Tuliannos.

  • Apulainen - Assistant
    See Ampujan apulainen

  • Apuristeilijä - Auxiliary Cruiser / Commerce Destroyer
    A more official term for Q-ships, merchant ships that were armed.

  • Armeija - Army

  • Armeijakunta - Army Corps

  • Armeijaryhmä - Army Group
    Finland did not have army groups, so the term is used exclusively when discussin foreign army groups.

  • Arvo - Rank / Grade
    More informal term for rank. See Arvoaste.

  • Arvoaste - Rank / grade
    More formal term for rank. See Arvo.

  • Arvojärjestys - Precedence

  • Arvomerkki - Rank insignia
    Any insignia denoting rank.

  • Ase - Weapon
    Any weapon.

  • Asealiupseeri - Ordnance NCO
    See Aseupseeri.

  • Aseistus - Armaments

  • Aselaji - Branch of Service
    See Tykistö.

  • Aselajiväri - Branch Colour

  • Aselepo - Armistice

  • Asema - Station / Position
    Depending on the context Asema can mean either position or station. E.g. Defensive position or Train station.

  • Asemasota - Trench Warfare

  • Asemestari - Armourer
    A senior armourer.

  • Asento - Attention
    Command and position of attention during closed order drill.

  • Asepaja - Armourer's Shop

  • Asepuku - Uniform
    A uniform design intended for both service and field use, e.g. Asepuku M/22 and Asepuku M/36. See Kenttäpuku.

  • Aseseppä - Armourer
    A junior armourer.

  • Asetakki - Tunic
    The term Asetakki is used when referring to all the short service jackets of the military, for both field and service use. See Kenttätakki.

  • Aseteknikko - Weapons Technician

  • Aseupseeri - Ordnance Officer
    See Asealiupseeri.

  • Asevarikko - Weapons Depot

  • Aseveli - Brother-in-Arms
    Endearing term used of fellow soldiers. Also used to refer to the Germans.

  • Asevelvollinen - Conscript
    Lit. Obliged to take up arms. Refers to any man liable for military service.

  • Asevelvollisuus - Conscription
    Term used to refer to the compulsory military service in general.

  • Asevelvollisuusikä - Age of Conscription
    The age during which the man is liable for military service.

  • Asevelvollisuuskutsunta - Conscription Enrollment
    Call up to enroll for military service.

  • Asevelvollisuuslaki - Law of Conscription

  • Autokomppania - Motor Transport Company

  • Automaattiase - Automatic Weapon
    A general term for any self-loading weapon. See Automaattikivääri.

  • Automaattikivääri - Automatic Rifle
    A general term for self-loading and select-fire rifles which are not meant to be used as support weapons. E.g. AVS-36, SVT-40. See Kerta-automaattikivääri, Kevyt konekivääri, Kivääri, Pikakivääri, Sarja-automaattikivääri.

  • Autonkuljettaja - Driver
    Driver of a car.

  • Avojono - Single File
    Lit. open line. A squad or platoon level tactic.

  • Avojärjestys - Open Order Drill
    See Suljettu järjestys.

  • Avomaasto - Open Terrain
    Word used to describe open terrain.

B

  • Ballistiikka - Ballistics
    See Tykistö.

  • Barrikaadi - Barricade
    See Este.

  • Bensiini - Petrol

  • Betoni - Concrete

D

  • Demarkaatiolinja - Demarcation Line
    A temporary border line after a cease fire agreement.

  • Detonaattori - Detonator
    See Sytytin.

  • Diagonaali - Diagonal
    Diagonaali is a term used for a better quality of wool often used in Officers clothing. The weave of the fabric creates diagonal lines, giving the fabric its name.

  • Diopteri - Diopter
    E.g. diopter sights.

  • Diplomatia - Diplomacy

  • Divisioona - Division
    A Finnish division had roughly 16 000 men.

  • Divisioonan esikunta - Divisional Headquarters
    Refers to both the staff and the place of the divisional headquarters.

  • Divisioonan komentaja - Commander of the Division

  • Dynamiitti - Dynamite

E

  • Elintarvike - Provisions
    Refers to any edible, food or drink, tea, coffee etc.

  • Elintarvikehuolto - Supply of Provisions
    Umbrella term used to refer to the supply organisation behind the supply of provisions.

  • Elintarvikejakopaikka - Distribution Point for Provisions
    Place where the provisions are distributed to units.

  • Elintarvikekenttämakasiini - Provisions Field Depot

  • Elintarvikekolonna - Provisions Column

  • Eläinlääkintähuolto - Veterinary Service

  • Eläinlääkintälaukkua - Veterinarian's Bag

  • Eläinlääkintämies - Veterinary Soldier
    General term form Enlisted men and NCO's that serve in the veterinary units.

  • Eläinlääkintäupseeri - Veterinary Officer
    Any officers in the veterinary units.

  • Eläinlääkäri - Veterinarian

  • Ensiapu - First Aid

  • Ensiside - Field Dressing

  • Ensiapulaukku - First Aid Bag

  • Ensimmäinen upseeri - Second-in-Command
    Lit. First officer, refers to any officer, second in the command chain.

  • Epoletti - Epaulette
    See Olkain.

  • Epäsuora ammunta - Indirect Fire

  • Epäsuora suuntaus - Indirect Aim

  • Erikoiskoulutus - Special Training

  • Erikoismestari - Warrant Officer
    Lit. Specialist master. Special NCO rank used in the 1930's for specialists. Later changed to a rank of Sotilasmestari.

  • Erikoismiehistö - Specially Trained Troops
    Any enlisted men or NCO's serving in special assignments, such as a weapon smith. See Aseseppä.

  • Erillisosasto - Separate Detachment

  • Esikunta - Headquarters

  • Esikuntakomppania - Headquarter Company

  • Esikuntapäällikkö - Chief of Staff
    Also translated as Adjutant General for higher headquarters.

  • Esimies - Superior
    General term for a superior.

  • Esiupseeri - Staff Officer
    Esiupseeri is the second level of Officer ranks: Majuri, Everstiluutnantti and Eversti. See Upseeri.

  • Eskaaderi - Squadron
    Squadron in the Air Force and the Navy.

  • Eskadroona - Company
    Company in the cavalry. See Komppania.

  • Este - Obstacle / barricade
    See Barrikaadi.

  • Eteentyönnetty vartio - Forward Outpost
    See Etuvartio.

  • Etulinja - Frontline

  • Etutuet - Bipod
    Of a light machine gun etc.

  • Etuvartio - Forward Outpost
    Less formal term for Eteentyönnetty vartio. A small outpost, located in the wilderness where continuous trench lines were impossible to maintain.

  • Evakuoida - Evacuate

  • Evakuointi - Evacuation
  • Eversti - Colonel
    Eversti is the third Staff Officer rank. See Esiupseeri

  • Everstiluutnantti - Lieutenant Colonel
    Everstiluutnantti is the second Staff Officer rank. See Esiupseeri

F

  • Formaliini - Formalin

  • Fosfaatti - Phosphate

  • Fosfori - Phosphorus

  • Fosforipalopommi - Phosphorus Shell

G

  • Gasoliini - Gasoline
    Diethyl ether, which in combination with petroleum distillates is used as a component of the fuel mixture for carbureted compression ignition model engines.

  • Glyseriini - Glycerin

  • Glyseriinijarru - Glycerin Buffer
    Glycerin buffer used in cannons. See Tykki.

  • Gondoli - Gondola
    Gondola, or nacelle, in airplanes.

H

  • Haarajoki - Tributary Stream

  • Haarakaukoputki - Scissor Telescope
    Scissor telescope used in the Artillery and in armoured vehicles.

  • Haaralavetti - Split Trail Carriage
    Type of carriage used on cannons. See Tykki.

  • Haarukoiminen - Bracketing
    Artillery technique of finding the range by bracketing.

  • Haava - Wound

  • Haavoittaa - to wound

  • Haavoittuneiden suojapaikka - First Aid Post
    Lit. Cover for the wounded. The first place the wounded are taken care of.

  • Haavoittunut - Wounded

  • Hakuammunta - Ranging Fire
    Lit. Search firing. A method of firing close to a target with set values and then correcting fire based on the observations.

  • Hakuvalonheitin - Search Light

  • Halla - Frost

  • Hallinto - Administration

  • Hallintoviranomainen - Authorities

  • Hallitus - Government

  • Hangaari - Hangar

  • Happi - Oxygen

  • Happilaite - Oxygen (Haldane) Apparatus

  • Harhaluoti - Stray Bullet

  • Harhauttaa - to Deceive

  • Harhautus - Diversion

  • Harjanne - Ridge

  • Harjoitus - Practice / Exercise / Training

  • Harjoitusalue - Training Area

  • Harjoitusammunta - Firing Practice
    See Ammuntaharjoitus.

  • Harjoituskenttä - Training Grounds

  • Harjoituskranaatti - Practice Grenade
    See Kranaatti.

  • Harjoituspanos - Practice Charge

  • Harjoituspatruuna - Blank Cartridge

  • Harjoitustehtävä - Training Exercise

  • Harmaa - Grey

  • Harsoside - Gauze

  • Haupitsi - Howitzer

  • Haupitsijaos - Howitzer Section
    Platoon of 4 guns in the Howitzer Company. See Patteri.

  • Haupitsipatteri - Howitzer Company
    Howitzer Company in the Howitzer Battalion. See Patteristo.

  • Hauta - Trench, Grave
    Hauta can refer to any kind of trench or to a grave.

  • Hautausmaa - Cemetary

  • Havainto - Observation

  • Havaintopaikka - Observation Point

  • Havaintovirhe - Observation Error

  • Havumaja - Brushwood hut
    A hut literally made out of conifer tree branches.

  • Havupuu - Coniferous Tree

  • Heinälato - Hay Barn

  • Heitin - Mortar
    Umbrella term for all sorts of mortars, trench mortars, mine throwers etc.

  • Heittoharjoitus - Throwing Exercise
    A single throw or an exercise for throwing hand grenades.

  • Heittää - to Throw

  • Hengityselin - Respiratory Organ

  • Hengitysletku - Respirator Tube
    Tubing of any respirator, used between the mask itself and the filter canister.

  • Henkilö - Person
    Generic term for a person, often used in the military lingo.

  • Henkilöasiaintoimisto - Personnel Department
    Literally "Office for Personnel Matters" was the human resource department of the Headquarters.

  • Henkilökohtainen - Personal / Confidential
    Depending on the use the term can mean confidential (as in documents) or personal (as in personal assistant).

  • Henkilökohtainen adjutantti - Personal Adjutant / Aid-de-camp

  • Henkilökortti - Identification card
  • Henkilökunta - Staff / Personnel

  • Henkivartio - Bodyguard / Life Guard
    Generally refers to more formal formations, such as the Household Troops.

  • Herkkäsytytin - Direct Action Fuze

  • Henkilötiedot - Personal Information

  • Hihalaatta - Sleeve tab
    A tab indicating rank worn on sleeves of raincoats etc. See Kauluslaatta, Olkain.

I

  • Ilmatorjunta - Air Defence
    General term and branch for air defence. See Aselaji.

  • Ilmatorjuntatykki - Anti-Aircraft gun
    See Tykki.

J

  • Jaos - Section
    Platoon in artillery units. See Joukkue.

  • Joukkue - Platoon
    Platoon in infantry units. See Jaos.

  • Juhlapuku - Full Dress Uniform
    Uniform ensemble for military-related formal occasions, e.g. visits to dignitaries and unit anniversaries. See Palveluspuku, Paraatipuku, Pieni juhlapuku, Vierailupuku.

  • Juhlavyö - Dress Belt
    A woven belt used in peacetime with various more formal uniform ensembles.

  • Jääkäri - Jäger / Jaeger / Jager
    Jääkäri originally refers to volunteers that received military training in Germany between 1915 and 1918. Later it became a rank for a Light Infantry Private. See Sotamies.

K


L

  • Lomapuku - Leave Uniform
    See Ulosmenopuku.

  • Lotta Svärd
    Lotta Svärd was a Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women.

  • Luutnantti - Lieutenant
    Second Company Level Officer rank. See Komppaniaupseeri.

M

  • Majuri - Major
    Majuri is the first Staff Officer rank. See Esiupseeri.

  • Miehistö - Enlisted Men or Crew
    Miehistö can refer to the men below the NCO ranks or any crew of a crew served weapon or vehicle.

  • Miehistövyö - Enlisted Men's Belt
    Term used to refer to the enlisted men's belt. See Nahkavyö.

N

  • Nahkapuku - Leather Uniform
    A uniform design made from leather used by armoured troops, e.g. Nahkapuku m/22, Nahkapuku m/36.

  • Nahkavyö - Leather Belt
    Standard part of several uniform ensembles and also as part of field gear. E.g. Nahkavyö m/22, Nahkavyö m/27, Nahkavyö m/36. See Miehistövyö, Päällystövyö.

  • Nostoväki - Auxiliary Reserve
    Lit. Drawing crowds. Men over the age of 50 and men who have not gone through thei military service belong to the Auxiliary Reserve. See Varusmies, Reservi.

O

  • Olkain - Shoulder Tab
    A tab worn indicating rank and branch etc. worn on shoulder. See Hihalaatta, Kauluslaatta.

  • Olkanauhat - Aiquilettes
    A uniform accessory for General Staff Officers.

  • Olkapeite - Shoulder Cover
    Shoulder insignia for musicians.

  • Olkapoletti - Shoulder Tab
    A more uncommon term for Olkain.

P


R

  • Ratsumestari - Captain
    Cavalry equivalent of a Captain. Originally from German Rittmeister. See Kapteeni.

  • Reservi - Reserve
    Reservi includes all the men that have finished their mandatory conscript service and do not belong to the auxiliary reserve. See Reserviläinen, Nostoväki.

  • Reserviläinen - Reservist
    A member of the Reserve. See Varusmies, Reservi.

  • Reserviupseerikoulu - Reserve Officer School
    Reserviupseerikoulu - or RUK for short - is responsible for training Reserve Officers.

  • Revolveri - Revolver
    E.g. Nagant M1895. See Pistooli.

  • Ryhmä - Squad
    An infantry squad in 1941 consisted of 9 men.

  • Rykmentti - Regiment
    A Finnish regiment in 1941 was about 3600 men strong.

  • Rähinäremmi - Sam Browne Belt
    Lit. Brawl strap, colloquial nickname for Sam Browne belt or its cross-strap. See Päällystövyö.

S

  • Sarja-automaattikivääri - Automatic rifle
    Lit. burst-automatic rifle. A select fire rifle meant for use as an individual weapon, not as a support weapon, e.g. AVS-36, AVT-40. See Automaattikivääri, Kerta-automaattikivääri, Kivääri, Pikakivääri.

  • Sotamies - Private
    The lowest military rank in the Finnish Army, above conscript. See Alokas.

  • Sotilasmestari - Sergeant Major
    The highest NCO rank in the Finnish Military.

  • Sotilaspoikajärjestö
    Sotilaspoikajärjestö - also known as Sotilaspojat (lit. "Soldier Boys") - was a youth organisation for boys based on the Suojeluskunta youth organisations. It was founded in 1941 and disbanded in 1944.

  • Suojeluskunta - The Civil Guard
    Suojeluskunta was a voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for men that operated from 1918 until 1944. From 1934 until 1944 it was integrated as part of the Finnish Army.

T


U

  • Ulosmenopuku - Walking-Out Uniform
    Informal name for uniform ensemble used on leave. For non-career personnel this was the service uniform, although uniform items of better quality and condition were usually used. See Palveluspuku, Vierailupuku.

  • Upseeri - Officer
    Upseeri ranks include all the Officer ranks in the Finnish Army and is divided in three parts: Komppaniaupseeri, Esiupseeri and the Kenraalikunta being the highest.

V


Y

  • Yleisesikuntaupseeri - General Staff Officer
    See Upseeri.

  • Ylikersantti - Staff sergeant
    Ylikersantti is the third NCO rank. Literal meaning is "Over Sergeant".



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