Kartoitamaan

Kartoitamaan is a Finnish verb meaning to survey, map out, or inventory something. It refers to the act of collecting information about a subject, area, group, or system in order to understand its characteristics, size, distribution, or condition. The term is common in scientific, administrative, and business contexts, where thorough information gathering is essential for planning and decision-making.

Linguistically, kartoitamaan is the active infinitive in the -maan form of the verb kartoittaa (to survey). This non-finite form is used to express purpose or to introduce subordinate clauses, for example: “Hankkeessa tarkoituksena on kartoittaa alueen tilat.” or “Tutkija aikoo kartoittaa alueen biologisen monimuotoisuuden.” The corresponding noun is kartoitus, meaning a survey, inventory, or mapping effort.

Common usage contexts include environmental assessments, market or needs assessments, risk mapping, and resource planning. In practical work, kartoitaminen typically involves defining scope, collecting data, analyzing findings, and producing a report. It can rely on field measurements, interviews, questionnaires, and document reviews, depending on the subject and objectives.

Etymology traces kartoitamaan to kartta, meaning map, with Finnish verb formation that expands the sense to mapping and systematic information collection. Related terms include kartoittaa (to survey/map, often used in a simpler or broader sense) and kartoitus (the act or result of surveying). Overall, the verb conveys organized information gathering to understand and describe a situation or environment.