ilmaisun

Ilmaisun is the genitive singular form of the Finnish noun ilmaisu, which translates as expression, articulation, or manifestation. It denotes the act or result of conveying thoughts, feelings, or information through language, art, gesture, or other expressive means. In Finnish, ilmaisun is used in phrases that describe relation to expression, for example ilmaisun keinoja (means of expression), kielellinen ilmaisu (linguistic expression), and visuaalisen ilmaisun keinot (means of visual expression).

Domains: The concept spans linguistic expression (how language encodes meaning), artistic expression (music, painting, theater), and everyday behavior (communication through gestures, tone, or style). In arts education and criticism, ilmaisun käsitteet refer to the techniques, forms, and styles used to convey content, mood, or identity. In semiotics and philosophy, ilmaisun is analyzed as the relationship between form and meaning in a sign system.

Etymology and form: The base ilmaisu comes from the verb ilmaista, to express; the suffix -su forms an abstract noun; ilmaisun is the genitive singular, used to indicate what the expression belongs to or relates to. Though essentially a grammatical form, the term is widely employed in Finnish discussions of culture, communication, and aesthetics.