Laatikkomainen

Laatikkomainen is a Finnish adjective meaning box-like or box-shaped. It derives from laatikko, meaning “box,” and the suffix -mainen, which forms descriptors of form or appearance. The term is typically used for objects or structures with a predominantly rectangular or cuboid geometry, flat faces, and usually right-angled edges.

In architecture and design, laatikkomainen describes a minimalist, utilitarian aesthetic common in modernism. A laatikkomainen building or a laatikkomainen cabinet emphasizes straight lines and simple volumes rather than ornamentation. The word is frequently applied in descriptive writing to contrast with more organic or curvilinear forms.

The usage extends to everyday language, where the adjective can characterize furniture, containers, devices, or other items whose form prioritizes practicality and modularity. For example, a box-like sofa or a box-shaped storage unit may be described as laatikkomainen to highlight its geometric simplicity.

In scientific or technical contexts, laatikkomainen may be used informally to describe objects that appear rectangular in cross-section or projection, though more precise terms such as rectangular, cuboid, or prism are often preferred in formal descriptions.

See also: suorakulmainen (rectangular), kulmikas (angular), geometrical shapes. Availability of the term can vary by regional usage, and it is most common in Finnish-language descriptive writing about form and design.