Pääkohdalla

Pääkohdalla is a Finnish adverbial phrase used to signal that a discussion, argument, or piece of writing centers on the main point. It functions as a discourse marker that helps a speaker or writer steer attention toward the essential issue rather than tangential details. The expression is most commonly found in formal or semi-formal Finnish, such as journalism, essays, and public speeches, rather than in everyday casual conversation.

Etymology and form: the phrase is built from pää, meaning "main" or "head," and kohta, meaning "point" or "position," combined with the locative suffix -lla to produce a sense of being at or on a point. As a fixed expression, pääkohdalla conveys the idea of focusing on the central issue and is typically used to introduce or emphasize that focus within a sentence or paragraph.

Usage and nuance: käyttötarkoitus is to shift or confirm the central topic. It can introduce a summary of the core argument, or mark a transition to the crucial point after addressing supporting details. Its tone is formal and analytical, making it suitable for analytical writing, policy discussions, and editorial contexts. It is less common in colloquial speech, where simpler phrases like “pääasia” or “siihen päädytään” might prevail.

Examples:

- Pääkohdalla tässä analyysissä on ilmastonmuutoksen taloudelliset vaikutukset. (The main point in this analysis is the economic effects of climate change.)

- Pääkohdalla on se, miten uudistukset vaikuttavat arkeen. (The main point is how the reforms affect daily life.)

See also: getting to the point, focusing on the main issue.