Silmäyksellä

Silmäyksellä is a Finnish adverb meaning "at a glance" or "in one look." It describes perceiving, assessing, or presenting information quickly, without a thorough examination. The expression is common in everyday speech, journalism, and descriptive writing, and it often signals a superficial assessment or initial impression rather than a detailed analysis.

Etymology: The term derives from silmäys, meaning "a glance," which itself comes from silmä, "eye." The adverbial form with the suffix -llä conveys "by means of a glance" or "with a single look." The nuance emphasizes speed and a high-level view rather than depth.

Usage: It is used to describe quick judgments, overviews, or impressions. Examples: "Hinta-arvio voidaan tehdä silmäyksellä." (The price can be estimated at a glance.) "Raportti antaa silmäyksen tilanteesta, mutta syvällisempi analyysi vaatii lisätutkimusta." (The report provides an overview at a glance, but a deeper analysis is needed.)

Translation and nuance: In English, "at a glance" conveys a similar sense. The phrase often implies initial impressions and should not replace detailed review when accuracy matters. See also related Finnish terms such as silmäys (a glance), silmäillä (to glance, to skim), and katsaus (overview).