Perusaihe

Perusaihe is a Finnish noun that denotes the central or fundamental topic around which a discussion, study, project, or presentation revolves. The compound is formed from perus-, meaning basic or fundamental, and aihe, meaning topic or subject. In ordinary Finnish, perusaihe is used to distinguish the essential theme from ancillary details.

In education and pedagogy, perusaihe refers to the overarching subject of a course or unit. Learning objectives and activities are often aligned with the perusaihe, with subtopics and assignments branching from it. In journalism, a report or program may present its perusaihe as the main issue to be explored, with related questions framing the coverage.

The term is used flexibly; its exact scope depends on context. It suggests importance and centrality rather than exclusivity. It can be contrasted with more specific subtopics or with broader themes.

Examples: "Keskustelun perusaiheena oli ilmastonmuutos." "Kurssin perusaiheena on suomalaisen taloushistorian analyysi." Synonyms include keskeinen teema or pääaihe, though perusaihe emphasizes foundational significance.

See also: aihe, teema, pääaihe, keskeinen teema, suomen kieli.