ylioppilas

Finnish

Etymology

yli- (“upper”) +‎ oppilas (“pupil, student”). Coined by Finnish journalist and lecturer Rietrik Polén in 1852. Probably formed after yliopisto (“university”), since originally ylioppilas referred to a university student (but now to someone with qualifications to become one).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈyliˌopːilɑs/,
• Rhymes: -opːilɑs
• Syllabification^(key): y‧li‧op‧pi‧las

Noun

ylioppilas

1. An educational qualification awarded to a person that has successfully completed the upper secondary school final exam.
2. A holder of such qualification, i.e. a high school graduate who has passed ylioppilastutkinto (“matriculation examination”). The individual is qualified to begin baccalaureate level studies at a university.

Usage notes

The Finnish students finishing the lukio (“high school”) must pass a country-wide test called ylioppilastutkinto (“matriculation examination”). While studying for this examination on the last class of high school the students are called abiturientti or ylioppilaskokelas. After passing it they become ylioppilas and gain general eligibility for studying in a university. In addition, many universities and other learning institutions require passing their own pääsykoe (“entrance exam”) and/or soveltuvuuskoe (“aptitude test”).

Declension

Derived terms

Related terms

• yliopisto (“university”)

Further reading

• “ylioppilas”, in Kielitoimiston sanakirja [Dictionary of Contemporary Finnish]‎ (in Finnish) (online dictionary, continuously updated), Kotimaisten kielten keskuksen verkkojulkaisuja 35, Helsinki: Kotimaisten kielten tutkimuskeskus (Institute for the Languages of Finland), 2004–, retrieved 2023-07-04