Lähtökohtaisesti

Lähtökohtaisesti is a Finnish adverb meaning in principle, by default, or basically. It signals a baseline assumption or the general rule that applies unless circumstances indicate otherwise. The word is formed from the noun lähtökohta (starting point) plus the adverbial suffix -isesti, producing an expression that points to the default or foundational perspective of a statement.

Usage and nuance: Lähtökohtaisesti is common in formal and semi-formal writing, such as policy discussions, analyses, academic texts, journalism, and business communication, as well as in everyday speech when someone wants to frame a claim with a caveat. It prepares the reader or listener for a generalization while leaving room for exceptions or context-specific adjustments. For example: Lähtökohtaisesti projekti etenee suunnitelman mukaan, mutta aikataulua voidaan tarkistaa. Tämä on lähtökohtaisesti hyvä idea, mutta käytännössä haasteita saattaa ilmetä.

Etymology and scope: The term stems from lähtökohta, meaning starting point or basis, with -isesti forming the adverbial modifier. The expression does not guarantee a universal rule; rather, it marks a principle that holds in most cases or under typical conditions, while acknowledging potential deviations.

Related usage: Lähtökohtainen as an adjective exists (starting-point, foundational), and phrase variants such as peruslähtökohdat or perusperiaatteet convey related notions of fundamental assumptions. Lähtökohtaisesti remains a versatile tool for framing statements with a principled or default stance.