Alunperin

Alunperin is a Finnish adverb meaning originally or at the outset. It is used to indicate the initial state, plan, or intention of a situation, prior to changes or developments. The word is common in both spoken and written Finnish and is frequently found in narrative, analytical, and explanatory contexts to reference how something began.

In usage, alunperin introduces statements about what existed or was planned at the beginning. For example, one might say, “Alun perin suunnitelmana oli rakentaa asuinrakennus,” meaning that originally the plan was to construct a residential building. The adverb can accompany verbs and clauses to contrast the original situation with a later outcome, such as “Alun perin hän aikoi muuttaa, mutta tilanne muuttui” (Originally he planned to move, but the situation changed).

Etymology and form: Alunperin derives from the Finnish noun alku, meaning beginning, combined with an older adverbial element perin that conveys origin or basis. The traditional form is the two-word expression alun perin, but in contemporary usage the compound form alunperin is also encountered, especially in more concise or stylistically influenced writing.

See also: related terms include alkupiste (starting point), alkuperäinen (original), and alku (beginning). The term is often contrasted with myöhemmin or myöhemäinen to mark subsequent developments.