eriytys

Eriytys is a Finnish noun that denotes the act or process of separating something into parts or distinguishing between different aspects. It is formed from the verb eriyttää (to separate) and the suffix -tys, which marks a noun for a process or result. The term is used both in everyday language and in technical discourse to refer to physical separation, division of functions, or differentiation of elements.

In biology, eriytys appears in the expression solujen eriytyminen, or cell differentiation, describing how cells acquire specialized functions during development. In organizational and administrative contexts, eriytys can refer to the division of a unit into separate entities or to the separation of duties and responsibilities within an organization. The word can also be used more generally to describe distinguishing or recognizing differences between components, phenomena, or groups.

Eriytys thus covers a range of meanings tied to separation and differentiation, from concrete, physical processes to abstract, conceptual distinctions. Its usage is common in scientific, technical, and evaluative writing, as well as in standard Finnish prose when describing how parts of a system or concept are set apart or made functionally distinct. Related terms include erottaminen (separation or sorting) and eriytyminen (the act or process of becoming differentiated).