Pääpiirteellä

Pääpiirteellä is a Finnish term that translates to "in broad outline" or "in general terms." It is used to describe a situation, explanation, or plan that is presented or understood in a general, overarching manner, without delving into specific details. When something is described pääpiirteellä, the focus is on the main points, the essential features, or the overall direction rather than intricate particulars.

This phrase is commonly employed in various contexts. For instance, in a business meeting, a project might be discussed pääpiirteellä, meaning the overall goals and strategy are outlined before detailed task assignments are made. Similarly, a historical event could be explained pääpiirteellä to provide a general understanding of its causes and consequences without getting bogged down in minute chronological events or individual roles. In everyday conversation, one might ask for a summary of a book or a movie pääpiirteellä, seeking the main plot points and themes rather than a scene-by-scene retelling.

The use of pääpiirteellä signifies a level of abstraction, where the listener or reader grasps the fundamental concept or structure. It is a useful tool for efficient communication, allowing for a quick understanding of complex subjects or for setting a foundation upon which more detailed information can be built. It implies that further elaboration is possible but not currently necessary or desired.