poliisiasema en 30 secondes
- Poliisiasema means police station in Finnish.
- It is used for both law enforcement and administrative tasks like passports.
- Commonly used with external locative cases like -lla and -lle.
- It is a compound word: poliisi (police) + asema (station).
The Finnish word poliisiasema is a compound noun formed by two distinct parts: poliisi (police) and asema (station, position, or stop). In its most literal sense, it refers to the physical building or headquarters where law enforcement officers operate. However, in the Finnish context, the term encompasses a much broader administrative role than one might expect in other countries. For a typical Finnish resident, the poliisiasema is not just a place associated with crime or emergencies; it is a vital administrative hub. This is where citizens go to handle essential documentation, such as applying for or picking up a passport (passi) or a national identity card (henkilökortti). Because the Finnish police handle these civil administrative tasks, the word is frequently used in mundane, non-emergency conversations about travel planning or identity verification.
- Administrative Function
- The police station is the primary location for identity services, including passports and ID cards.
- Law Enforcement
- It serves as the base for local patrols, criminal investigations, and the filing of crime reports (rikosilmoitus).
- Lost and Found
- Valuable lost items are often turned in to the station's lost property office (löytötavara-toimisto).
When using this word, it is important to understand the Finnish concept of public service. Most police stations have a public service desk (lupapalvelut) which operates during standard business hours. If you hear someone say they are 'going to the police station,' they are more likely to be picking up a travel document than reporting a burglary. The word carries a neutral, authoritative, yet helpful connotation in Finnish society, reflecting the high level of trust Finns generally have in their police force.
Kävin eilen poliisiasemalla hakemassa uuden passini.
Historically, the term has evolved alongside the professionalization of the Finnish police. In smaller villages, the 'station' might have just been the local constable's house, but today, a poliisiasema is a modern facility with digital queuing systems and high security. The word is ubiquitous in news reports, local directions, and bureaucratic instructions. It is a fundamental noun for any learner moving beyond basic survival Finnish into daily life management.
Löysin lompakon kadulta ja vein sen lähimmälle poliisiasemalle.
Culturally, the police station is also a place of safety. In Finnish culture, the police are seen as approachable. If a child is lost, they are taught to look for a police car or a station. Therefore, the word appears in children's literature and educational materials as a symbol of community security. It is not a word that evokes fear, but rather one that evokes order and civil duty.
Onko tässä lähellä poliisiasemaa?
Poliisiaseman ovet aukeavat kello kahdeksan aamulla.
Meidän täytyy mennä poliisiasemalle tekemään rikosilmoitus polkupyörävarkaudesta.
Using poliisiasema correctly in Finnish requires a good grasp of the Finnish case system, particularly the locative cases. Because a police station is considered a functional space or a 'surface' in the Finnish mental map of locations, we primarily use the external locative cases: -lla/-llä (at), -lle (to), and -lta/-ltä (from). However, if you are referring to being 'inside' the building specifically, the internal cases -ssa/-ssä can also be used, though they are slightly less common in general speech unless emphasizing the physical interior.
- Allative (-lle)
- Used for movement towards the station. 'Menen poliisiasemalle' (I am going to the police station).
- Adessive (-lla)
- Used for being at the station or in its immediate vicinity. 'Olen poliisiasemalla' (I am at the police station).
- Ablative (-lta)
- Used for movement away from the station. 'Tulen poliisiasemalta' (I am coming from the police station).
In more formal or written contexts, you might encounter the word in the genitive case (poliisiaseman) to indicate possession or relation, such as 'poliisiaseman osoite' (the address of the police station) or 'poliisiaseman aukioloajat' (the opening hours of the police station). The partitive case (poliisiasemaa) is used after numbers or in negative sentences, for example, 'En löytänyt poliisiasemaa' (I didn't find the police station).
Hän työskentelee poliisiasemalla tutkijana.
When constructing sentences, pay attention to the verbs you use. Verbs like käydä (to visit/go and come back) always require the 'at' (missä) form: 'Kävin poliisiasemalla.' Verbs of motion like mennä (to go) require the 'to' (mihin) form: 'Menen poliisiasemalle.' If you are describing the location of the station, you might say 'Poliisiasema sijaitsee keskustassa' (The police station is located in the city center).
Voitko kertoa, missä lähin poliisiasema on?
Advanced learners should note the use of poliisiasema in compound structures. For instance, 'keskuspoliisiasema' (central police station) or 'piiripoliisiasema' (district police station). The word is also used metaphorically in some contexts, though rarely. Its primary use remains strictly literal. When writing about multiple stations, the plural forms are poliisiasemat (nominative), poliisiasemien (genitive), and poliisiasemia (partitive).
Kaupunkiin on rakennettu uusi ja moderni poliisiasema.
Odotan sinua poliisiaseman edessä kello kymmenen.
Miksi poliisiasema on tänään kiinni?
You will encounter the word poliisiasema in a variety of real-life scenarios in Finland. One of the most common places is in the news (uutiset). Finnish media frequently reports on events occurring at or involving the police station, such as the detention of suspects or press conferences held at the central station. In crime dramas (rikossarjat), which are very popular in Finland, characters are constantly 'going down to the station' to review evidence or conduct interviews.
Another very common context is administrative. If you are an immigrant in Finland, you will hear this word during your residence permit process or when you need to register your presence. Finnish citizens hear it when they need a new passport. In these cases, the word is often paired with 'lupapalvelut' (permit services). You might hear an automated voice on a phone line saying, 'Olette soittaneet Helsingin poliisiaseman lupapalveluihin' (You have called the permit services of the Helsinki police station).
In daily navigation, you will see 'poliisiasema' on blue and white street signs. If you ask for directions, a local might say, 'Käänny vasemmalle poliisiaseman kohdalla' (Turn left at the police station). It is a major landmark in many Finnish towns, often situated near other public buildings like the courthouse (käräjäoikeus) or the town hall (kaupungintalo).
In social settings, the word might come up if someone has lost their keys or phone. 'Käy kysymässä poliisiasemalta' (Go ask at the police station) is a standard piece of advice because the police handle high-value lost property. You might also hear it in the context of community events or school trips, where children visit the station to learn about safety and the law.
Finally, in more serious legal contexts, lawyers and officials use the term when discussing where a person is being held or where a statement was taken. 'Kuulustelut suoritettiin Pasilan poliisiasemalla' (The interrogations were conducted at the Pasila police station). It is a word that spans the entire spectrum of Finnish life, from the most mundane administrative tasks to the most serious legal matters.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using poliisiasema is confusing the institution with the individual person. In English, we might say 'I'm going to the police,' which could mean the station or the officers. In Finnish, you must be specific. If you say 'Menen poliisille,' it sounds like you are going to a specific person or the police force as an abstract entity. If you mean the building, you must say 'Menen poliisiasemalle.'
Another common error involves the locative cases. As mentioned earlier, Finnish uses the external cases (-lla/-lle) for most buildings that are seen as functional hubs. Beginners often try to use the internal cases (-ssa/-ssä) because they translate literally to 'in'. While 'poliisiasemassa' is grammatically possible if you are literally inside the walls, it is much more natural to say 'poliisiasemalla' when referring to being at the location for its intended purpose.
Spelling can also be a hurdle. Poliisiasema is a compound word. In Finnish, compound words are written as one word without spaces. Writing 'poliisi asema' is a significant orthographic error. Furthermore, remember the double 'i' in 'poliisi'. English speakers often drop one 'i' because of the English spelling, but in Finnish, the long 'i' is crucial for correct pronunciation and spelling.
Lastly, learners sometimes confuse poliisiasema with poliisilaitos. While they are often used interchangeably in casual speech, a 'poliisilaitos' (police department) is the larger administrative organization, whereas 'poliisiasema' is the specific physical station. In a small town, there is usually just one 'poliisiasema' which is also the 'laitos'. In a large city, the 'poliisilaitos' might have several 'poliisiasema' locations under its jurisdiction.
While poliisiasema is the standard term, there are several related words you should know to sound more like a native speaker and to understand different contexts.
- Poliisilaitos
- This refers to the 'Police Department' or the administrative body. It is often used in official titles, like 'Helsingin poliisilaitos'. It sounds slightly more formal than poliisiasema.
- Poliisitalo
- Literally 'Police House'. This is a very common alternative in spoken Finnish and in the names of specific buildings (e.g., Pasilan poliisitalo). It emphasizes the building itself.
- Kyttälä / Koukku
- These are slang terms. 'Kyttälä' (from 'kyttä' - cop) is a slang term for the station. Use these only in very informal, perhaps slightly disrespectful or edgy contexts. Not recommended for formal use!
- Viranomainen
- Meaning 'authority'. Sometimes people say they are going to 'viranomaisen luo' (to the authority) if they are dealing with the police in an official capacity.
Choosing between these depends on the level of formality. If you are asking for directions, stick to poliisiasema. If you are reading an official document, expect to see poliisilaitos. If you are talking to a friend about a building you pass every day, poliisitalo is a great, natural-sounding choice.
Le savais-tu ?
The Finnish police handled passport services because traditionally they were the only authority with a nationwide network of offices reaching every citizen.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing only one 'i' in poliisi.
- Stress on the second syllable.
- Writing it as two separate words.
- Confusing 'asema' with 'asuin'.
- Missing the final 'a'.
Exemples par niveau
Missä on poliisiasema?
Where is the police station?
Nominative case.
Tämä on poliisiasema.
This is a police station.
Simple subject.
Poliisiasema on sininen.
The police station is blue (referring to the logo/sign).
Adjective agreement.
Katso, tuolla on poliisiasema!
Look, there is the police station!
Exclamatory sentence.
Onko poliisiasema lähellä?
Is the police station nearby?
Question with -ko.
Poliisiasema on iso talo.
The police station is a big building.
Noun phrase.
Minä näen poliisiaseman.
I see the police station.
Accusative case (genitive form).
Poliisiasema on kiinni.
The police station is closed.
Predicate adjective.
Menen poliisiasemalle hakemaan passia.
I am going to the police station to get a passport.
Allative case (-lle).
Olen nyt poliisiasemalla.
I am at the police station now.
Adessive case (-lla).
Tulen poliisiasemalta kotiin.
I am coming home from the police station.
Ablative case (-lta).
Poliisiasema aukeaa kello kahdeksan.
The police station opens at eight o'clock.
Verb conjugation.
Etsimme lähintä poliisiasemaa.
We are looking for the nearest police station.
Partitive case (-a).
Poliisiaseman edessä on auto.
There is a car in front of the police station.
Genitive case + postposition.
Voitko soittaa poliisiasemalle?
Can you call the police station?
Allative case with 'soittaa'.
Kävin poliisiasemalla eilen.
I visited the police station yesterday.
Past tense + adessive.
Tein rikosilmoituksen poliisiasemalla lompakkovarkaudesta.
I filed a crime report at the police station about a wallet theft.
Compound word 'rikosilmoitus'.
Poliisiaseman lupapalvelut ovat usein ruuhkaisia.
The police station's permit services are often crowded.
Plural adjective agreement.
Hukkasin avaimeni, joten kävin kysymässä niitä poliisiasemalta.
I lost my keys, so I went to ask about them at the police station.
Ablative case for 'asking from'.
Poliisiasema sijaitsee aivan rautatieaseman vieressä.
The police station is located right next to the railway station.
Verb 'sijaita'.
Uusi poliisiasema on paljon modernimpi kuin vanha.
The new police station is much more modern than the old one.
Comparative form.
Poliisiasemalla työskentelee monia eri alojen asiantuntijoita.
Many experts from different fields work at the police station.
Existential sentence.
Muistathan ottaa mukaan henkilöllisyystodistuksen, kun menet poliisiasemalle.
Remember to take your ID with you when you go to the police station.
Imperative + 'kun' clause.
Poliisiaseman ovet ovat lukossa virka-ajan ulkopuolella.
The police station doors are locked outside of office hours.
Compound word 'virka-aika'.
Poliisiaseman toimintaa on tehostettu uusilla digitaalisilla palveluilla.
The police station's operations have been streamlined with new digital services.
Passive voice.
Mielenosoittajat kokoontuivat poliisiaseman eteen vaatimaan oikeutta.
Protesters gathered in front of the police station to demand justice.
Plural subject.
Poliisiasemalla suoritettu kuulustelu kesti useita tunteja.
The interrogation conducted at the police station lasted several hours.
Participle attribute.
On tärkeää tietää, missä lähin poliisiasema sijaitsee hätätilanteessa.
It is important to know where the nearest police station is located in an emergency.
Indirect question.
Poliisiaseman rakennuskustannukset ylittivät budjetin huomattavasti.
The construction costs of the police station significantly exceeded the budget.
Compound word 'rakennuskustannukset'.
Monet poliisiasemat on lakkautettu maaseudulla säästösyistä.
Many police stations have been closed in rural areas for savings reasons.
Passive past participle.
Poliisiaseman henkilökunta opasti turisteja kadonneen passin kanssa.
The police station staff guided tourists with their lost passports.
Collective noun 'henkilökunta'.
Rikosepäilty tuotiin poliisiasemalle jatkotutkimuksia varten.
The crime suspect was brought to the police station for further investigation.
Passive voice + plural-like 'varten' construction.
Poliisiaseman arkkitehtuuri heijastaa avoimuutta ja lähestyttävyyttä.
The architecture of the police station reflects openness and approachability.
Abstract nouns.
Hän joutui viettämään yön poliisiaseman putkassa.
He had to spend the night in the police station's holding cell.
Slang-adjacent 'putka'.
Poliisiasemien verkostoa on harvennettu viime vuosikymmeninä merkittävästi.
The network of police stations has been significantly thinned out in recent decades.
Complex passive.
Poliisiaseman sisäinen viestintä petti kriittisellä hetkellä.
The police station's internal communication failed at a critical moment.
Genitive attribute.
Uudistus siirsi monia poliisiaseman tehtäviä verkkoon.
The reform moved many of the police station's tasks online.
Object in partitive plural.
Poliisiaseman edustaja kieltäytyi kommentoimasta keskeneräistä tutkintaa.
The police station representative refused to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Infinitive with 'kieltäytyä'.
Kansalaispalaute poliisiaseman palveluista on ollut pääosin positiivista.
Citizen feedback on the police station's services has been mainly positive.
Compound word 'kansalaispalaute'.
Poliisiasemalla järjestettiin avoimien ovien päivä paikallisille asukkaille.
An open house day was organized at the police station for local residents.
Passive + genitive plural.
Poliisiaseman strateginen sijainti mahdollistaa nopean reagoinnin hälytyksiin.
The strategic location of the police station enables rapid response to alarms.
Formal vocabulary.
Poliisiasemien toimivaltuudet on määritelty tarkasti lainsäädännössä.
The powers of police stations are strictly defined in legislation.
Legal terminology.
Hän analysoi poliisiaseman hierarkkista rakennetta sosiologisessa tutkimuksessaan.
He analyzed the hierarchical structure of the police station in his sociological study.
Academic register.
Poliisiaseman integroituminen osaksi monitoimitaloa on herättänyt keskustelua.
The integration of the police station as part of a multi-purpose building has sparked discussion.
Verbal noun 'integroituminen'.
Poliisiaseman resurssien kohdentaminen on keskeinen osa turvallisuuspolitiikkaa.
The allocation of police station resources is a central part of security policy.
Abstract compound words.
Poliisiaseman historiikki valottaa paikallisen lainvalvonnan kehityskaarta.
The history of the police station sheds light on the evolution of local law enforcement.
Metaphorical 'valottaa'.
Poliisiaseman tekninen varustelu vastaa nykyajan kyberrikollisuuden haasteisiin.
The technical equipment of the police station meets the challenges of modern cybercrime.
Dative-like 'vastaa' + illative.
Poliisiaseman rooli yhteiskunnallisena vakauden takaajana on kiistaton.
The role of the police station as a guarantor of social stability is indisputable.
Essive case 'takaajana'.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— To file a police report at the station.
Tein rikosilmoituksen poliisiasemalla heti varkauden jälkeen.
— To pick up a passport from the station.
Hain uuden passini poliisiasemalta tänään.
— To be interrogated at the police station.
Todistaja oli kuulusteltavana poliisiasemalla.
— To report/check-in at the police station.
Ulkomaalaisen täytyi ilmoittautua poliisiasemalla.
— To leave an application at the station.
Jätin aselupahakemuksen poliisiasemalle.
— The lost and found office at the station.
Kysy avaimiasi poliisiaseman löytötavaratoimistosta.
— The queue number at the station.
Ota poliisiaseman jonotusnumero heti kun saavut.
— An official at the police station.
Poliisiaseman virkamies auttoi minua lomakkeen kanssa.
— The parking space of the station.
Poliisiaseman pysäköintipaikka on vain asiakkaille.
— The security check at the station.
Kaikki kävijät menevät poliisiaseman turvatarkastuksen läpi.
Expressions idiomatiques
— In a crime context, to take someone to the station for questioning or detention.
Poliisi vei häiriökäyttäytyjän asemalle.
neutral— To end up in the drunk tank/holding cell at the station.
Juhannusyönä moni päätyy putkaan.
informal— Metaphorical reference to following the station's strict timing (rare).
Täällä eletään aseman kellon mukaan.
literary— A common Finnish saying implying the police are helpful and approachable.
Muista, että poliisiasemalla poliisi on ystävä.
child-friendly— To visit the station (sometimes used ironically for someone getting in trouble).
Pekka joutui tekemään visiitin asemalle ylinopeuden takia.
informal— The person in charge of the station (old-fashioned).
Hän luulee olevansa aseman herra.
archaic— To be under investigation (literally 'at the interrogation table').
Hän istui taas kuulustelupöydän ääressä poliisiasemalla.
neutral— Referring to the blue lights or the station being active at night.
Aseman valot eivät sammu koskaan.
poetic— The official/legal route, often starting at the station.
Asia täytyy hoitaa viranomaistietä pitkin.
formal— The long queue at the station for passports.
Poliisiaseman passijono oli valtava.
informalFamille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Police' + 'A-Semi' (truck) parked at a 'Station'. Poliisi-asema.
Association visuelle
Imagine a big blue building with a giant passport on the front door. That's a Finnish poliisiasema.
Word Web
Défi
Try to find the address of the nearest Finnish police station using a search engine in Finnish.
Origine du mot
A compound of 'poliisi' and 'asema'. 'Poliisi' comes from the Swedish 'polis', which originates from the Latin 'politia' and Greek 'politeia'. 'Asema' is a native Finnish word meaning 'position' or 'place to stand'.
Sens originel : A place where the police are positioned.
Indo-European (poliisi) + Uralic (asema).Contexte culturel
Generally a neutral term, but be aware that for some, law enforcement can be a sensitive topic.
In the US/UK, police stations are rarely visited for ID/passports (handled by DMV or Post Office). This is a key difference.
Summary
The word 'poliisiasema' is essential for daily life in Finland, not just for emergencies, but specifically for administrative tasks like passport applications. Example: 'Menen poliisiasemalle hakemaan passia.'
- Poliisiasema means police station in Finnish.
- It is used for both law enforcement and administrative tasks like passports.
- Commonly used with external locative cases like -lla and -lle.
- It is a compound word: poliisi (police) + asema (station).
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur law
aiheeton
B2unfounded, groundless, or irrelevant
ennakkotapaus
C1Un précédent. Une décision de justice ou un événement antérieur qui sert de modèle pour des cas futurs similaires.
harkinnanvarainen
C1Qui relève du pouvoir discrétionnaire ou de l'appréciation.
hyväksyä
B1to accept or approve
kielto
B1Une interdiction ou un refus formel.
kieltoalue
B2Prohibited area or restricted zone.
kieltää
B11. Interdire à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose. 2. Nier la vérité d'une affirmation.
kiistää
B2Nier ou contester une affirmation. 'Il nie avoir commis l'erreur.'
käsittelyjärjestys
B2order of proceedings
käsittelykielto
B2ban on processing or handling
