materiaaliltaan

Materiaaliltaan is a Finnish adverbial expression meaning “in terms of material” or “material-wise.” It is used to describe the material composition or material properties of an object, as distinct from other aspects such as size, weight, or function. The phrase is common in technical descriptions, product catalogs, design discussions, and journalism when comparing items or detailing specifications.

The expression is formed from the noun materiaali (material) with a suffix that conveys “in terms of.” It typically accompanies a predication after the verb be (on) or directly after a subject, indicating what the object is made of. Common constructions include, for example: “on materiaaliltaan muovia” (is plastic in terms of material), “kankaat ovat materiaaliltaan puuvillaa” (the fabrics are cotton in terms of material), or “se on materiaaliltaan terästä” (it is steel in terms of material). These uses highlight the material composition rather than origin, design, or quality.

Context and nuance: materiaaliltaan is particularly useful when contrasting items or when precise material information is relevant, such as in procurement, product testing, or design comparisons. It does not, by itself, indicate production quality, durability, or ethical considerations; those aspects would be described with separate terms. In everyday language, the phrase helps clarify what an object is made from, especially in discussions where material properties are central to the point being made.