Perustan

Perustan is a Finnish verb form that translates to “I base” or “I establish.” It is the first-person singular present indicative form of perustaa, a transitive verb meaning to base, establish, or found. Perustaa is used when a person or subject creates or gives foundation to something, such as a business, organization, project, or argument. The same verb can be used metaphorically, as in basing conclusions on evidence.

In present tense, the full conjugation of perustaa for all persons is: minä perustan, sinä perustat, hän perustaa, me perustamme, te perustatte, he perustavat. The negative is formed with en, for example “minä en perusta” (I do not base/found). There is also a related intransitive verb, perustua, meaning “to be based on,” as in “päätös perustuu faktoihin” (the decision is based on facts). The form perusta, without the -a ending, is the noun meaning base or foundation.

Etymology and related terms: perustaa derives from the noun perusta, meaning base or foundation, with the verb suffix -a to create the action “to base or found.” Related words include perusta (base), peruste (basis), and perusteellinen (thorough, based on a basis).

Usage context: Perustan commonly appears in discussions of founding organizations, launching projects, or articulating how decisions or arguments are grounded. It is one of several related forms used to express foundation or basis in Finnish, and it contrasts with mutta meanings conveyed by perustua when speaking about what something is based on rather than who or what is doing the basing.