ötökkä
/ˈøtøkːæ/
In Finnish, the word for bug is ötökkä.
ötökkä is a colloquial name used for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures.
Meaning: a colloquial name for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ötökkä is a singular noun. The plural form is ötökät. In certain grammatical constructions or when expressing an indefinite amount, the word takes the partitive case ötökkää.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈøtøkːæ/
Did you know?
- The word ötökkä is a sound-symbolic version of itikka, which means 'mosquito'.
- In Finnish, the word ötökkä can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is small and restless or annoying.
- Using ötökkä instead of a specific insect name can sometimes make your speech sound more informal or even 'cute' depending on your tone.
Examples in context
- Se ei ole ötökkä.It's not a bug.This sentence is useful for stating that something is not a ötökkä.Tatoeba #12020736 by Johannes_S, translation #4989191 by Hybrid
- Mikä ötökkä satutti sinua?Which bug hurt you?This sentence is useful for asking which ötökkä caused pain.Tatoeba #2681410 by Silja, translation #2176378 by dafp
- Vieressäsi on hyönteinen.There is a bug next to you.
- Lapset nauttivat kerätessään hyönteisiä luonnosta.Children enjoy collecting bugs from nature.
Example conversation
Emma and Antti are looking at a plant in the living room.
- EmmaKatso, tässä on jokin ötökkä.Look, there is some bug here.
- AnttiOnko se vaarallinen ötökkä?Is it a dangerous bug?
- EmmaEi, se on vain pieni ötökkä.No, it is just a small bug.
- AnttiOletpa sinä tarkka, Emma.You are very observant, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bug” translations and entries ötökkä, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ötökkä, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
