luokittaa

Luokittaa is a Finnish verb meaning to classify, categorize, or assign to a class or category according to predefined criteria. The action involves organizing items by applying a classification scheme, often in technical or administrative contexts. The word is formed from luokka, meaning class or category, with the suffix -ittaa, which yields a causative or applicative sense of “to make into a class” or “to assign to a class.”

Usage and domains

Luokittaa appears in fields such as statistics and data science, information organization and library science, education and assessment, risk assessment, and regulatory or compliance work. In practice, it describes the process of placing items—data points, documents, products, or risks—into established groups or levels. The term is commonly used when a formal or standardized scheme is applied to ensure consistency and comparability across items or datasets.

Nuance and related terms

The distinction between luokittaa and luokitella is subtle. Luokittaa emphasizes the act of applying a predetermined classification to items, while luokitella generally denotes the broader act of classifying. Related noun forms include luokitus (classification) and luokittaminen (the act of classifying). These terms are part of a broader family related to organization, taxonomy, and categorization in Finnish.

See also

Luokitella, luokitus, luokittaminen, classification, taxonomy.