Johdattelu

Johdattelu is a Finnish noun derived from the verb johdattaa, meaning to guide or lead. In general use it refers to the act or process of guiding someone toward understanding, action, or a destination. The term emphasizes the element of direction and orientation in which a person, group, or topic is introduced or steered.

In educational and organizational contexts, johdattelu often denotes orientation or onboarding. For example, a new student may receive johdattelu to help navigate studies, or a new employee may receive a briefing that provides initial guidance about responsibilities and procedures. The concept can also be used to describe purposeful guidance given to a group to align goals or to initiate a project.

In discourse and writing, johdattelu can refer to the introductory phase or connective guidance that leads the reader into a topic. However, the more common Finnish term for this function is johdanto (introduction). Because johdattelu is less standardized as a formal term, its exact meaning can vary by context and may overlap with related words such as opastus (guidance), ohjaus (direction or control), or perehdytys (orientation or acclimatization).

Related terms include johtaminen (leadership), johto (leadership or management), and johdanto (introduction). The usage of johdattelu tends to be more specialized or rhetorical rather than a fixed technical concept, and speakers often choose more common synonyms depending on the situation.