silmämääräisen

Silmämääräisen is a Finnish adjective meaning "eyeballed" or "by eye," i.e., estimated visually rather than measured precisely. The form silmämääräisen is the genitive singular of this adjective, used before a noun to indicate that the noun is described as approximate. For example, in the phrase silmämääräisen arvion mukaan, the meaning is “according to a rough estimate.”

Etymology and meaning: The word combines silmämäärä, literally “eye-measure,” with the adjective suffix -inen. This construction denotes an estimation made by visual judgment rather than exact measurement. It emphasizes roughness or uncertainty in the quantity, size, or other attribute being described.

Usage and nuance: Silmämääräinen is commonly used in everyday Finnish to indicate approximate figures or sizes when precise data are unavailable or unnecessary. It contrasts with terms that imply exact measurement, such as mittaustarkka (precisely measured) or mitattu (measured). In formal or technical contexts, speakers may prefer more exact phrasing, for example käyttämällä tarkkaa mittaustietoa or mittauksen perusteella. The adverbial equivalents include arviolta (roughly) or noin (about), which convey a similar level of approximation.

Declension notes: Silmämääräinen declines like a regular Finnish adjective. The specific form silmämääräisen is used in phrases where the adjective governs a genitive singular noun, such as silmämääräisen arvion mukaan. Other related forms include silmämääräisen koon, silmämääräinen arvio, and so on.