Alapealkiri

Alapealkiri is a term in Estonian used to denote a subtitle or subheading that accompanies a main title. It provides additional information about the content, scope, or focus of a work and helps readers understand what to expect. Alapealkirju appear in books, articles, websites, and presentations, and they are commonly used to organize content and guide navigation.

In typography, the alapealkiri is typically less prominent than the pealkiri (the main title). It may be set in a smaller font, a lighter weight, or a different style and is often placed on the same line after a colon or on a separate line beneath the main title. In bibliographic records, the alapealkiri follows the main title, usually separated by a colon or dash, for example: "Pealkiri: alapealkiri."

Etymology: the word combines alla (under) and pealkiri (title), reflecting its function as something that sits under the main title.

Usage considerations: a well-chosen alapealkiri clarifies the work’s topic, scope, or audience and can improve discoverability. It should be informative and concise, avoiding redundancy with the main title. In Estonian, the term has a general usage across literature, journalism, and digital media, while English-language texts may use subtitles or subheadings accordingly.