Kuvailullinen

Kuvailullinen is a Finnish adjective describing something that is evocative, descriptive, or imagistic. It is derived from kuvailu, meaning depiction, imagination, or description, with the common attributive suffix -llinen to indicate a characteristic.

The term is used to refer to language, art, or thought that creates vivid mental images or relies on detailed depiction rather than just stating facts. In literary criticism and aesthetics, kuvailullinen style or kuvailullinen kieli emphasizes sensory detail and imaginative portrayal, aiming to paint pictures in the reader’s or viewer’s mind. It can also describe cognitive or communicative approaches that prioritize imaginative or descriptive elements.

Kuvailullinen is related to, but not identical with, similar terms. It is different from kuvitteellinen (imaginary or fictional), which denotes something that does not reflect reality, and from kuvainnollinen (figurative), which foregrounds metaphorical or symbolic representation. In practice, kuvailullinen may overlap with kuvainnollinen when imagery and figurative language work together to evoke scenes and ideas.

Usage notes: the term appears mainly in literary criticism, art theory, and descriptive prose. In everyday Finnish, more common expressions might be kuvaileva or kuvallinen, but kuvailullinen remains a recognized descriptor for imagery-rich or depiction-centric content. Examples include kuvailullinen kuvaus or kuvailullinen proosa, both signaling a style that emphasizes vivid depiction.