Selittäjäsana

Selittäjäsana is a Finnish term that translates roughly to "explainer word" or "clarifying word." It refers to a word or phrase that is used to make a preceding statement or concept clearer, more understandable, or more specific. Selittäjäsana often serves to elaborate on a general idea, provide an example, or define a term that might be ambiguous.

These words or phrases can take various forms. For instance, "eli" (meaning "or" in the sense of "that is to say") is a common selittäjäsana, as in "Hän on toimitusjohtaja, eli yrityksen ylin johtaja" (He is the CEO, that is to say, the highest executive of the company). Other examples include phrases like "esimerkiksi" (for example), "kuten" (such as/like), or simply a direct restatement of the concept in simpler terms.

The function of a selittäjäsana is to bridge a potential gap in understanding between the speaker/writer and the listener/reader. It ensures that the intended meaning is conveyed accurately and reduces the possibility of misinterpretation. In essence, it acts as a linguistic tool for enhancing clarity and precision in communication. The use of selittäjäsana is prevalent in both spoken and written Finnish across various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal academic writing.