kirjoitusmerkeillä

Kirjoitusmerkeillä is a Finnish term meaning “with quotation marks” or “in quotation marks.” It is used to indicate that a given word or phrase is cited, quoted, or presented as an example rather than as a part of the ordinary narrative. The expression is common in written Finnish, especially in academic writing, journalism, and language instruction, where authors must distinguish direct quotations from their own commentary.

The concept of quotation marks in Finnish writing dates back to the early 19th century, when Finnish scholars adopted punctuation practices from German and Swedish sources. The Finnish Language Society, founded in 1918, later formalized the norms for quotation marks. In standard Finnish orthography, double quotation marks (“ ”) are used for primary quotations, while single quotation marks (' ') are employed for quotes within quotes or for emphasis in informal contexts. Though parentheses and other markers can indicate citations, the phrase “kirjoitusmerkeillä” specifically refers to the use of these verbal quotation marks.

Common usage examples include:

- Korostetaan sanoja: kirjoita sanat "kirjoitusmerkeillä".

- Kirjakäsikirjoituksissa on ”Kirjoitusmerkeillä” viitattuna.

- Sanasta “kirjoitusmerkeillä” käydään keskustelua oppikirjassa.

In literary Finnish, quotation marks serve not only to attribute speech but also to signal shifts in narrative voice or to denote idiomatic expressions. The Finnish spelling rules state that quotation marks must be opened before the quoted material and closed afterward; slanted quotation marks (e.g., « ») are not used in contemporary Finnish texts.

When students learn to write proper Finnish, mastering the use of quotation marks—hence, “kirjoitusmerkeillä”—is essential for clear communication, accurate citation, and stylistic correctness.