This is the 953rd most frequent Finnish word.
eli
"Or" or "that is to say."
In this sentence, 'eli' is used to explain or specify the consequence of the previous statement.
Hän opiskeli lääketiedettä, eli hänestä tuli lääkäri.
He studied medicine, meaning he became a doctor.
Here 'eli' is used to restate or clarify the description given earlier.
Maalaus oli impressionistinen eli se edusti tiettyä taidesuuntausta.
The painting was impressionistic, in other words, it represented a specific artistic movement.
In this context, 'eli' is used to infer a logical conclusion linking the main statement to the result.