Periaate

Periaate is a Finnish noun meaning principle, fundamental rule, or guideline. It designates a basic assumption or standard that guides thought, policy, or action. The term is common across disciplines, from philosophy and ethics to law, governance, and engineering.

Usage and scope: In philosophy and science a periaate often corresponds to an axiom or fundamental proposition that underpins a theory or method. In law and public administration, periaatteet function as overarching principles that shape statutes, codes, and decisions. In business and design, they express core values or design constraints, such as safety, efficiency, or sustainability.

Form and related terms: The plural form is periaatteet, and the common adjectival form is periaatteellinen (principled) in some compounds. The word is native Finnish; cognates appear in related Finnic languages in similar forms. Not all languages translate periaate directly as "principle," because usage depends on context (normative vs descriptive).

See also: Principle, axiom, guideline, policy.