Referoimaan

Referoimaan is a Finnish verb form related to referoida, meaning to paraphrase or summarize content from a source in one’s own words. It denotes conveying the essential ideas of a text or speech without reproducing exact wording. In Finland, paraphrasing (referointi) is a standard practice in academic writing, literature reviews, journalism, and educational settings. It contrasts with siteeraaminen (quoting verbatim) and with tiivistäminen (condensing), though paraphrase often involves condensation of information.

Etymology and forms: Referoida is a loanword linked to Swedish referera and Latin referre, in the sense of reporting or reporting back. The form referoimaan is one of the non-finite inflectional variants and appears in contexts that require an infinitive or non-finite phrase to indicate purpose or action, or in formal constructions. In everyday language you will more often encounter finite forms such as referoin, referoit, or the passive referoidaan.

Usage and nuances: When paraphrasing, the writer rewrites the source material in their own words while preserving the original meaning and providing an appropriate citation. The aim is to demonstrate understanding and to integrate sources into one’s argument, rather than to copy text. Paraphrasing should avoid altering critical meaning or introducing misinterpretations.

Related terms and caveats: Related terms include parafraasi (paraphrase) and parafraasoida (to paraphrase), tiivistäminen (condensing), and siteeraus (direct quotation). Proper attribution and fidelity to the source’s intent are essential; careless paraphrase can border on plagiarism if sources are not correctly cited.