Identtinen

Identtinen is a Finnish adjective meaning identical. It is used to describe two or more things that are the same in all essential properties within a given framework, or that share the same identity. In everyday language it is common to say that two objects are identtinen, such as when a copier produces an identtinen kopio (identical copy). The term is widely used across disciplines to convey exact sameness in the specified context.

Etymology: The word derives from identiteetti (identity) and the common Finnish suffix -inen which forms adjectives from nouns. Its cognates appear in related Finnic languages and in scientific terminology through Finnish.

Applications: In mathematics and logic, identtinen describes equality or the identity relation; for example, two expressions that have the same value under a given interpretation, or the identity function. In linguistics, identtinen can describe forms that are identical in text or structure. In biology or everyday contexts, it is used for identical twins (identtiset kaksoset) or for exact duplicates of a document or file.

Examples:

- identtiset kaksoset (identical twins)

- identtinen kopio (an identical copy)

- identtinen ratkaisu (an identical solution)

Usage note: Identtinen is stronger than similar (samanlainen) and implies no observable difference within the defined criteria; its applicability depends on the criteria used to judge identity.

See also: identity, equality, identiteetti.