tumallisemmin

Tumallisemmin is a Finnish adverb that denotes performing or describing something in a more gloomy, darker, or somber manner. It is used to express a higher degree of darkness or mood relative to another description, often in literary, descriptive, or journalistic contexts.

Etymology and form: the word is derived from the adjective tumallinen or its related forms, combined with the adverbial suffix -mmin, which marks a comparative or manner reference. In use, tumallisemmin signals a shift toward a gloomier or more shadowed atmosphere than what is being contrasted.

Usage and nuance: tumallisemmin tends to describe atmosphere, mood, or lighting rather than physical color alone. It is common in narratives, critiques, or analyses that aim to convey a sensed heaviness or somber tone. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or nouns in a way that emphasizes mood, for example in phrases describing a scene, a voice, or a setting.

Examples (Finnish with rough English glosses):

- Ilta pimeni, ja taivas näytti tumallisemmin kuin ennen. (The evening darkened, and the sky looked gloomier than before.)

- Kaupunki saavutettiin, ja kadut vaikuttivat tumallisemmin valaistuina myöhään illalla. (The city was reached, and the streets seemed more somberly lit late in the evening.)

Relation to related forms: tumallisemmin is the adverbial comparative form; it contrasts with tummemmin, which focuses more on darker color or shade. Both can describe atmosphere, but tumallisemmin emphasizes mood as a quality of the act or scene.

See also: tumma, tummempi, tumma-ilme, tumaisuus.