neliömäinen

Neliömäinen is a Finnish adjective meaning square-shaped or having the form of a square. It is formed from the noun neliö (square) and the derivational suffix -mäinen, which signals likeness or form.

In everyday language, neliömäinen describes objects with a square-like outline, such as a neliömäinen pöytä (a square-shaped table) or neliömäisen pohjan omaava rakennus (a building with a square base). In technical or precise contexts, speakers may also use phrases like neliön muotoinen (square-shaped) or rely on the noun neliö to denote the geometric square. The term can describe approximate shapes as well as exact ones, depending on the level of precision required.

Grammatically, neliömäinen behaves like a regular Finnish adjective and agrees with the noun in number and case. For example: neliömäinen kappale, neliömäisen kappaleen, neliömäistä kappaletta. Related terms include nelikulmainen (four-angled) and neliön muotoinen (in the shape of a square), which can convey similar meaning with subtle nuance in different contexts.

Usage notes: While neliömäinen is widely understood, the most precise mathematical term for a perfect square is the noun neliö, or the adjective neliömäinen when describing a square-like form rather than asserting exact geometric properties. The word is neutral and commonly used in everyday speech, design descriptions, and descriptive writing.