tulkita

Tulkita is a Finnish verb meaning to interpret, explain, or construe the meaning of something. It is used in linguistic contexts to refer to translating or understanding a text, in law or philosophy to interpret statutes and arguments, and in everyday language to infer meaning from signs, data, or dreams. For example, one can tulkita runoa, tulkita lauseita, or tulkita unia.

In usage, tulkita covers both linguistic interpretation and broader sense-making. It can describe how a text is read and understood, how a statement is explained, or how statistical results are inferred. The verb appears in various tenses and moods, and its imperative form is used to request interpretation from another person.

Tulkita belongs to the group of Finnish -ita verbs and follows standard conjugation patterns for that class. Its passive form tulkitaan is commonly used to denote that something is interpreted by someone or in a certain way. The past tense forms convey that interpretation has occurred, and the subjunctive or conditional forms can express hypothetical interpretation.

Related nominal forms include tulkinta (the act or result of interpreting) and tulkki (an interpreter, especially a human translator or sign-language interpreter). The verb is often contrasted with more specialized terms for translation or interpretation in specific fields, such as scholarly analysis, legal interpretation, or dream interpretation.

Etymology traces tulkita to the root associated with interpretation in Finnish, linked to tulkinta and tulkki. See also tulkinta and tulkki for related concepts.