Kokemuksella

Kokemuksella is a Finnish adverbial form derived from the noun kokemus, meaning experience. The ending -lla (in this context the adessive/instrumental suffix) marks means, basis, or source, so kokemuksella translates roughly as “with experience” or “by experience.” In Finnish, this form is used to indicate that a statement or assessment rests on firsthand knowledge rather than theory.

Usage and nuance: Kokemuksella is commonly used to justify claims, give practical advice, or describe learning that comes from doing rather than studying. It signals that the speaker’s understanding is informed by personal involvement, trials, or real-world results. It can introduce observations about risks, best practices, or the limits of generalizations.

Example sentences:

- Kokemuksella voin sanoa, että tämä menetelmä toimii. (From experience I can say that this method works.)

- Kokemuksella oppii parhaiten. (One learns best through experience.)

- Hän toimi kokemuksella, ei vain teoreettisella tiedolla. (He acted on experience, not just theoretical knowledge.)

Relation to related terms: Kokemuksella is part of the broader family around kokemus (experience) and practical knowledge. Related expressions include käytännön kokemus (practical experience) and kokemukseen perustuva oppiminen (experience-based learning).

See also: kokemus, kokemukseen perustuva, käytännön kokemus.