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Sisu

2006-04-25T14:34:58Z

192.100.124.219:

{{wiktionary}}
'''Sisu''' is a [[Finnish language|Finnish]] term that could be roughly translated into [[English language|English]] as strength of will, determination, perseverance, acting rationally in the face of adversity. The equivalent in English is "to have guts", and indeed, the word derives from ''sisus'', which means something inner or interior. However, sisu has a long-term element in it; it is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain the same. To [[anthropology|anthropologists]], it is an appropriate invention for a cold northern land, dotted by thousands of lakes, and long under threat of being overwhelmed, militarily, linguistically and otherwise, by more powerful neighbours. Similar concepts exist among other cold-weather peoples, such as the [[Inuit]] and [[Chukchi people|Chukchi]].

Due to its cultural significance, ''Sisu'' is a common element of [[brand name]]s in [[Finland]]. For example, there are [http://www.sisuauto.com/portal/english/ Sisu trucks] (and [[Sisu XA-180|armored vehicles]]), a brand of strong-tasting candy manufactured by [http://www.leaf.fi Leaf] and a metapolitical nationalist organisation [http://www.suomensisu.fi Suomen Sisu]. Sisu is also the name of a mountain discovered by mountain-climber [[Veikka Gustafsson]] in the Antarctic.

Foreign users of the term include [http://www.sisu.com Sisu], a [[Canada|Canadian]] company that makes vitamin and mineral supplements; SISU, the educational association of the Swedish National Sports Confederation; and [http://www.sisunet.org Sisu Medical Solutions], an American non-profit company providing IT support.

The term is commonly used in everyday speech to describe stoic toughness. It is widely understood in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]] of [[Michigan]], which is home to a large concentration of Finnish-Americans. For instance: ''Even after cutting his hand open and getting 12 stitches, he didn't shed a tear. Wow! He's got sisu!'' By analogy, the term has picked up new meanings. Depending on context, "sisu" can refer to spunk, attitude, self-confidence, and so on. However, sisu is not [[bravery]], nor [[strength]], and needs to be distinguished from [[courage]], especially when talking about the military. In contrast, sisu is an ability to finish the task and get things done, as defined by [[Roman Schatz]] in his book ''From Finland with Love'' (2005). Usually sisu means will and decisiveness to get the things done against impossible odds, or to succeed when given the [[chinaman's chance]]. An example of sisu in sports could be evening up 5-1 loss into 5-5 draw in [[ice hockey]] game on third period and then score the winning goal on overtime.

Sisu can be either good or bad; the usual meaning is good. Bad sisu (Finnish ''paha sisu'') means malice combined with ruthlessness and implacability: it means relentless strive for mischief, persecution and vengeance. It is in a sense the mirror image of sisu.

In Finland, there's a well-known saying that the Finnish culture can be condensed in three s's: "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[Jean Sibelius|Sibelius]]". Also three s's in "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[salmiakki]]. (The Finnish name of Finland, [[Suomi]], also starts with an s).

==External Link==

*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/22/AR2006032201943.html Washington Post: The Finnish Line] (article about Finnish renowned fortitude and resilience)

[[Category:Finnish culture]]

[[de:Sisu]]
[[fr:Sisu]]
[[ru:Сису]]
[[fi:Sisu]]
[[sv:Sisu]]

Sisu

2006-03-30T10:48:55Z

192.100.124.219: minor editings

{{wiktionary}}
'''Sisu''' is a [[Finnish language|Finnish]] term that could be roughly translated into [[English language|English]] as strength of will, determination, perseverance, acting rationally in the face of adversity. The equivalent in English is "to have guts", and indeed, the word derives from ''sisus'', which means something inner or interior. However, sisu has a long-term element in it; it is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain the same. To [[anthropology|anthropologists]], it is an appropriate invention for a cold northern land, dotted by thousands of lakes, and long under threat of being overwhelmed, militarily, linguistically and otherwise, by more powerful neighbours. Similar concepts exist among other cold-weather peoples, such as the [[Inuit]] and [[Chukchi people|Chukchi]].

Due to its cultural significance, ''Sisu'' is a common element of [[brand name]]s in [[Finland]]. For example, there are [http://www.sisuauto.com/portal/english/ Sisu trucks], a brand of strong-tasting candy manufactured by [http://www.leaf.fi Leaf] and a metapolitical nationalist organisation [http://www.suomensisu.fi Suomen Sisu]. Sisu is also a name of mountain discovered by mountain-climber [[Veikka Gustafsson]] in the Antarctic.

Foreign users of the term include [http://www.sisu.com Sisu], a [[Canada|Canadian]] company that makes vitamin and mineral supplements; SISU, the educational association of the Swedish National Sports Confederation; and [http://www.sisunet.org Sisu Medical Solutions], an American non-profit company providing IT support.

The term is commonly used in everyday speech to describe stoic toughness. It is widely understood in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]] of [[Michigan]], which is home to a large concentration of Finnish-Americans. For instance: ''Even after cutting his hand open and getting 12 stitches, he didn't shed a tear. Wow! He's got sisu!'' By analogy, the term has picked up new meanings. Depending on context, "sisu" can refer to spunk, attitude, self-confidence, and so on. However, sisu is not [[bravery]], nor [[strength]], and needs to be distinguished from [[courage]], especially when talking about the military. In contrast, sisu is an ability to finish the task and get things done, as defined by [[Roman Schatz]] in his book ''From Finland with Love'' (2005).

In Finland, there's a well-known saying that the Finnish culture can be condensed in three s's: "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[Jean Sibelius|Sibelius]]". Also three s's in "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[salmiakki]]. (The Finnish name of Finland, [[Suomi]], also starts with an s).

{{Finland-stub}}

[[Category:Finnish culture]]

[[de:Sisu]]
[[fi:Sisu]]
[[sv:Sisu]]
[[ru:Сису]]

Sisu

2006-02-09T09:29:10Z

192.100.124.219:

{{wiktionary}}
'''Sisu''' is a [[Finnish language|Finnish]] term that could be roughly translated into [[English language|English]] as strength of will, determination, perseverance, acting rationally in the face of adversity. The equivalent in English is "to have guts", and indeed, the word derives from ''sisus'', which means something inner or interior. To [[anthropology|anthropologists]], it is an appropriate invention for a cold northern land, fractured by thousands of lakes, and long under threat of being overwhelmed, militarily, linguistically and otherwise, by more powerful neighbours. Similar concepts exist among other cold-weather peoples, such as the [[Inuit]] and [[Chukchi people|Chukchi]].

Due to its cultural significance, ''Sisu'' is a common element of [[brand name]]s in [[Finland]]. For example, there are [http://www.sisuauto.com/portal/english/ Sisu trucks], a brand of strong-tasting candy manufactured by [http://www.leaf.fi Leaf] and a metapolitical nationalist organisation [http://www.suomensisu.fi Suomen Sisu]. Sisu is also a name of mountain discovered by mountain-climber [[Veikka Gustafsson]] in the Antarctic.

Foreign users of the term include [http://www.sisu.com Sisu], a [[Canada|Canadian]] company that makes vitamin and mineral supplements and [http://www.sisunet.org Sisu Medical Solutions], an American non-profit company providing IT support.

The term is commonly used in everyday speech to describe stoic toughness. It is widely understood in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]] of [[Michigan]], which is home to a large concentration of Finnish-Americans. For instance: ''Even after cutting his hand open and getting 12 stitches, he didn't shed a tear. Wow! He's got sisu!'' By analogy, the term has picked up new meanings. Depending on context, "sisu" can refer to spunk, attitude, self-confidence, and so on. However, sisu is not [[bravery]], nor [[strength]], and needs to be distinguished from [[courage]], especially when talking about the military. In contrast, sisu is an ability to finish the task and get things done, as defined by [[Roman Schatz]] in his book ''From Finland with Love''.

In Finland, there's a well-known saying that the Finnish culture can be condensed in three s's: "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[Jean Sibelius|Sibelius]]". Also three s's in "sisu, [[sauna]] and [[salmiakki]]. (The Finnish name of Finland, [[Suomi]], also starts with an s).

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''SISU'' is also the [[acronym]] for the educational association of the National Sports Confederation for [[Sweden]]. The allusion is intentional.
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{{Finland-stub}}

[[Category:Finnish culture]]

[[de:Sisu]]
[[fi:Sisu]]
[[sv:Sisu]]
[[ru:Сису]]