Idiomaattisempi

Idiomaattisempi is the Finnish comparative form of the adjective idiomaattinen, used to describe something that is more idiomatic, i.e., more natural or conventional in terms of language use or coding style. The term is employed in discussions about writing, translation, and language pedagogy to indicate a higher degree of conformity with established idioms and language patterns.

In linguistic and stylistic contexts, idiomaattisempi refers to expressions, formulations, or styles that align more closely with native-speaker idioms. In translation and language teaching, the concept helps compare how closely a rendering mirrors natural use versus a more literal or forced rendering. In programming and software development, idiomaattisempi code follows the conventional idioms and patterns of a given language, making it easier to read and maintain.

Etymologically, idiomaattinen is built from the concept of idiom (idiom) plus the Finnish -inen suffix, and the comparative form is formed with the -isempi ending. Thus idiomaattisempi literally means “more idiomatic.”

Usage notes: the term is most common in language education, editorial practice, and discussions about writing style or code quality. It conveys a judgment about naturalness and fluency, rather than correctness alone, and is often used when comparing alternatives or suggesting refinements to sound more native or conventional.

Related concepts include idiomi, idiomatic expressions, and idiomatic programming. See also discussions on naturalness in translation, language style, and coding idioms.