refereähän

Refereähän is a Finnish term that translates most directly to "as for referring" or "regarding referring." It functions as a discourse marker, indicating that the speaker is about to shift the topic of conversation or introduce a new point of reference. It signals a transition, often from a previous discussion to a new one, or from a general statement to a specific example.

The word "refereähän" is formed by combining the verb "referoida" (to refer) with the clitic particle "-han/-hän." This particle is often used to add a slight emphasis or a sense of familiarity to a statement. Therefore, "refereähän" can carry a nuance of "well now, let's talk about..." or "to get back to the matter of..."

This discourse marker is commonly found in spoken Finnish and can appear at the beginning of a sentence or a clause. Its usage helps to structure conversations and guide listeners through different topics or aspects of a discussion. While it might not have a direct one-to-one equivalent in many other languages, its function as a topic shifter is a common linguistic phenomenon. Understanding "refereähän" is key to comprehending the flow and transitions in Finnish discourse.