Descriptiivisesti

Descriptiivisesti is a Finnish adverb meaning “in a descriptive manner” or “descriptively.” It is used to qualify statements about data, phenomena, or analyses, indicating that the description aims to characterize what is observed rather than judge or prescribe how things should be.

The term is commonly found in scholarly and analytical writing across disciplines such as linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and literary studies. In these contexts, a descriptive (descriptiivinen) approach seeks to document and explain how language or social phenomena occur in real life, without applying normative rules or judgments about correctness or desirability. This contrasts with prescriptive or normative approaches that specify how things ought to be.

Formation and orthography: descriptiivisesti is formed from the adjective deskriptivinen (descriptive) or the related form deskriptiv, adding the Finnish adverbial suffix -isesti. In practice, Finnish writers may encounter slightly varied spellings, such as deskriptivisesti or descriptiivisesti, influenced by translational habits and the degree of integration from English or other languages. Both forms are understood in academic Finnish, with a preference for consistent use within a single text.

See also: descriptive linguistics, descriptive versus prescriptive grammar, descriptive research methods.

The term serves to mark a methodological stance or evaluative stance in analysis, signaling that conclusions reflect description of observed usage or phenomena rather than normative judgment.