Perimmäisempi

Perimmäisempi is a Finnish adjective used to express a greater degree of innermostness, ultimateity, or fundamental quality. It is the comparative form of perimmäinen, meaning innermost, ultimate, or essential. In translation, perimmäisempi can mean “more ultimate,” “deeper,” or “more fundamental,” depending on context.

Morphology and origin: Perimmäisempi is formed by adding the comparative suffix -isempi to the stem perimmäinen. The base word perimmäinen itself belongs to formal and literary vocabulary and describes things at a deeper or more essential level. Like other Finnish adjectives, perimmäisempi agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case.

Usage: The term is most common in philosophical, theological, or literary prose, and in formal argumentation. It is used when comparing levels of significance, truth, or purpose—for example, perimmäinen totuus (the ultimate truth) or perimmäinen syy (the deeper/fundamental reason). The nuance emphasizes a level beyond the ordinary or surface level.

Nuance and alternatives: In everyday language, speakers often use syvempi (deeper) or oleellisempi (more essential) as more natural choices. Perimmäisempi carries a more elevated, sometimes abstract tone and can suggest a rigorous or interpretive comparison rather than a casual one.

See also: perimmäinen, syvempi, oleellinen.