kulttuurina

Kulttuurina is the essive case form of the Finnish noun kulttuuri (culture). In Finnish grammar, the essive marks a temporary state or role, commonly translated as “as culture” or “in the capacity of culture.” The form is used to describe how a phenomenon is understood, framed, or presented within a cultural context.

It is formed from kulttuuri with the essive suffix -na, producing kulttuurina. The usage is widespread in scholarly writing and cultural discourse to emphasize cultural interpretation rather than purely economic, political, or technical factors. For example, researchers may discuss traditions, practices, or artifacts “as culture” to highlight their cultural significance.

Kulttuurina is distinct from kulttuuriksi, the translative form meaning “into culture” or “as a culture” in a sense of becoming or designation. The translative is used when indicating a shift or a label applied to something, whereas kulttuurina marks the current state or role as culture. In Finnish grammar references, essive versus translative distinctions are noted to show how meaning changes with the case suffix.