Periaatetta

Periaatetta is the partitive singular of the Finnish noun periaate, meaning “principle” or “guideline.” In Finnish, the partitive form periaatetta is used in contexts requiring the partitive case, such as after negation or with certain verbs, for example noudattaa periaatetta ("to follow a principle") or toimia periaatetta vastaan ("to act against a principle"). The term is used across domains to denote a general rule or normative standard that guides reasoning or conduct.

In everyday and scholarly language, periaatetta can refer to ethical principles, legal principles, scientific or methodological principles, and organizational policies. It is often translated into English as “principle,” “guiding principle,” or “tenet,” depending on context. The plural form periaatteet means “principles,” and the nominative form periaate refers to the concept in general.

In Finnish texts, phrases such as periaatteen mukaan (in accordance with the principle) or periaatteen mukaisesti (in line with the principle) illustrate how the word is used to connect actions with a guiding rule. The concept is closely related to the broader idea of foundational rules that structure thinking, decision-making, and behavior.

See also periaate and periaatteet for related forms and further usage.