likimääräisinä

Likimääräisinä is a Finnish term that translates to "approximately" or "in approximate terms." It is used in various contexts to indicate that a value, measurement, or statement is not exact but rather a close estimation. This can apply to numbers, quantities, times, or even descriptions of situations. The use of likimääräisinä acknowledges that a precise figure is either unavailable, unnecessary, or difficult to determine.

In mathematical or scientific contexts, likimääräisinä might precede a rounded number or a result derived from estimations or calculations with inherent uncertainties. For example, a measurement might be reported as likimääräisinä 10 kilograms, meaning the actual weight is close to 10 kg but not precisely that amount. Similarly, in everyday conversation, one might say they will arrive likimääräisinä at noon, indicating an arrival time around 12:00 PM but not necessarily exactly on the dot.

The word emphasizes a degree of uncertainty or imprecision, signaling to the listener or reader that the information provided is a close approximation rather than a definitive fact. It is a common and useful adverbial form in the Finnish language for conveying estimations and approximate values in a clear and understandable manner.