Näkökohtana

Näkökohtana is a Finnish term formed as the essive case of the noun näkökohta, meaning "viewpoint," "aspect," or "angle." The word is used to indicate that a statement or analysis is considered from a particular perspective or approach, essentially translating to “as a viewpoint” or “from this perspective.”

In Finnish grammar, the essive case (ending -na/-nä) expresses a temporary state, role, or capacity. When näkökohtana is used, it signals the frame or lens through which a topic is being evaluated. This makes it common in analytical, academic, and policy-oriented writing, where authors contrast different standpoints or frame arguments around a specific aspect.

Usage notes:

- Näkökohtana is typically found in more formal or structured texts. In everyday language, speakers may prefer synonyms such as näkökulmasta (from the viewpoint), kannalta (in terms of), or asiasidema.

- The construction often precedes a clause or introduces a viewpoint within a sentence, as in “Näkökohtana tässä tutkimuksessa on sosiaalinen oikeudenmukaisuus.”

Examples:

- Näkökohtana tässä tutkimuksessa on sosiaalinen oikeudenmukaisuus. (From the perspective of this study, social justice is central.)

- Näkökohtana voidaan pitää ympäristövaikutusten arviointi. (The environmental impact assessment can be regarded as the perspective.)

- Tässä artikkelissa näkökohtana on taloudellinen näkökulma. (In this article, the economic perspective is the viewpoint.)

See also: näkökohta, näkökanta, näkökulma. The term is closely related to other expressions for discussing stance or frame in Finnish.