Käännekohtia

Käännekohta (plural käännekohtia) is a Finnish noun that literally translates to “turning point” or “pivot.” The word is formed from the verb kääntyä “to turn” and the noun‑forming suffix –kohta “point.” It is used to describe a moment or event that causes a significant change or shift in direction, process, or situation.

In everyday language käännekohta often refers to a personal milestone, such as graduating from school, changing careers, or experiencing a substantial emotional change. In scientific or technical contexts the term can denote a critical threshold where a system transitions from one state to another, for example a phase transition in physics or a decisive moment in project management.

Literary usage frequently employs käännekohta to mark a narrative pivot: a plot twist, a revelation, or the point at which a character’s arc accelerates. The word carries a dramatic connotation, suggesting not only a change, but a sudden or decisive one.

The concept is related to similar terms in other languages, such as the English “turning point,” the German “Wendepunkt,” and the Russian “переломный момент.” In all cases the term underscores the idea of a juncture where the future direction is reshaped.

In summary, käännekohtia refers to critical junctures that redirect the course of events, whether in personal lives, scientific phenomena, or narratives.