Pelisäännöillä

Pelisäännöillä is a Finnish expression formed from peli (game) and säännöt (rules) with the adessive suffix -llä. The phrase literally means “with the game rules” and is used to describe actions, decisions, or situations that follow the established rules of a particular game or activity. In everyday use pelisäännöt may refer to actual written rules in a sport, board game, or video game, as well as tacit norms that guide behavior in a given setting. The idiom is also employed metaphorically to describe the “rules of the game” in non-ludic contexts, such as politics, economics, or negotiations, indicating that participants operate within agreed norms or constraints.

The form pelisäännöillä appears in sentences that indicate something is done according to or within those rules. For example: “Peli eteni pelisäännöillä,” meaning the game progressed according to the rules. “Päätökset tehtiin pelisääntöjen mukaan” shows adherence to established guidelines. The related noun pelisäännöt refers to the rules themselves, while pelisäännöillä emphasizes the framework or manner provided by these rules.

In Finnish discourse pelisäännöillä underscores fairness, predictability, and legitimacy achieved through adherence to shared guidelines. It is common in journalism, coaching, and management discussions when contrasting compliant versus non-compliant behavior, or when signaling that conduct follows recognized standards.

See also pelisäännöt, sääntö.