Kriitiikki

Kriitiikki is not a standard Finnish word. It is typically regarded as a misspelling or typographical variant of the noun kritiikki, which in Finnish means critique, criticism, or the act of evaluating something. Because the accepted term is kritiikki, most references to the concept use that spelling.

Kritiikki refers to a reasoned assessment of a work, argument, performance, or idea. It involves analysis, evidence, and justification, and aims to clarify strengths and weaknesses, provide context, and contribute to understanding rather than simply condemn or praise. A critique may exist as a process (the act of evaluating) or as a product (the written or spoken evaluation).

Etymologically, kritiikki derives from the French critique, with roots in Latin crit- and Greek kritikos, reflecting a long tradition of judgment and analysis in Western intellectual history. In Finnish usage, kritiikki appears across fields such as literature, film, music, and visual arts, as well as in academic and media contexts.

In practice, kritiikki encompasses different forms. In arts and culture, it covers reviews and interpretive analyses. In academia, it appears as critical appraisal of methods, arguments, and evidence, often expressed in peer review or scholarly debate. In journalism and consumer media, kritiikki helps inform readers about quality and relevance. Throughout, the goal is constructive evaluation that aids understanding, supports improvement, and situates a work or argument within broader contexts.