Mattomaksi

Mattomaksi is a Finnish linguistic term used to describe the change of a surface or finish toward a matte appearance. It is formed from the adjective matta (matte) and the translative suffix -omaksi, which expresses becoming or turning into that quality. In Finnish, the translative is commonly used with verbs like muuttua (to become) or tulla (to become), so mattomaksi describes something that has become matte rather than glossy.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is a derivational form used in everyday language, particularly in consumer contexts such as painting, coatings, cosmetics, photography, and product descriptions. It does not refer to a separate material, but to the perceived finish of a surface after a treatment, application, or processing step.

Contexts and examples: People speak of a surface being matte or becoming matte as a result of a coating or process. For instance, a painter may aim to make a wall mattomaksi, meaning the final appearance should be matte rather than shiny. In photography or screen displays, a glare-reducing finish might be described as mattomaksi to indicate reduced reflectivity. Sentences such as “Pinta muuttuu mattomaksi käsittelyssä” (The surface becomes matte in the treatment) illustrate typical usage.

Related terms include matta (matte), mattaiseksi, mattapintainen (matte-finished), and mattahoidot (matte coatings). Mattomaksi is a functional descriptor rather than a separate product category, conveying the intended visual outcome.