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tieto

Tieto is a Finnish noun meaning knowledge, information, or awareness. It refers to facts that are known or the body of information held by a person, organization, or society. The term can denote both concrete data and broader understanding, depending on context.

In everyday language, tieto appears in many compound words and phrases. Common examples include tietokanta (database),

Finnish makes a distinction between tieto as information or data and tietämys as deeper knowledge or understanding.

Etymologically, tieto is a native Finnish word linked to the verb tietää (to know). It forms the

tietotekniikka
(information
technology),
tietoliikenne
(telecommunications),
and
tiedonhaku
(information
retrieval).
The
related
verb
tietää
means
to
know,
and
phrases
built
from
it
(such
as
minulla
on
tieto)
express
possession
or
possession
of
information.
The
genitive
form
tiedon
is
used
in
expressions
like
tiedonvälitys
(information
dissemination)
and
tiedon
säilyttäminen
(retention
of
information).
Other
related
terms
include
tiedottaa
(to
inform)
and
tietoisuus
(awareness).
The
word
appears
across
education,
science,
media,
and
business
to
refer
to
facts,
evidence,
or
news.
basis
of
many
modern
Finnish
compounds
and
remains
a
foundational
term
in
discussions
of
information,
data,
and
knowledge
in
Finnish.