Tulkinnanvarainen

Tulkinnanvarainen is a Finnish adjective meaning open to interpretation or not unambiguously defined. It describes statements, texts, artworks, or situations whose meaning may be read in several valid ways. The word derives from tulkinta (interpretation) and the suffix varainen, indicating susceptibility to a given condition or state.

Usage and nuance: The term is common in literary criticism, philosophy, media studies, and legal discourse to flag ambiguity or plurality of readings rather than outright error. A tulkinnanvarainen passage invites discussion about its significance, while a tulkinnanvarainen clause in a contract suggests that its terms could be interpreted differently by different parties or authorities.

Examples: A poem with metaphorical layers can be described as tulkinnanvarainen. A statute or contractual provision may be seen as tulkinnanvarainen, depending on interpretive approach or jurisdiction, potentially leading to disputes or debates about its meaning.

Relation and synonyms: Related concepts include monitulkintainen (open to many interpretations) and moniselitteinen (ambiguous). Tulkinnanvaraisuus (the state or quality of being open to interpretation) is the noun form.

See also: tulkinta, tulkinnanvaraisuus, monitulkintainen, moniselitteinen.