Põhitõed

Põhitõed is an Estonian noun meaning the essential principles or fundamentals of a subject. The word derives from põhi, meaning base or foundation, and tõed, the plural of tõde meaning truth. In everyday language it denotes the core concepts, rules, and skills that form the basis for further study or practice.

In educational contexts, põhitõed describe the concise core of a topic: definitions, key concepts, fundamental methods, basic techniques, and safety or best practices. They provide a stable platform for more advanced topics and are often presented at the start of a course or in introductory materials. Materials labeled as covering the põhitõed aim to summarize what a learner must know to understand the subject at a foundational level.

The term is widely used across disciplines, including mathematics, science, programming, language studies, and crafts. It commonly appears in course titles, textbooks, or tutorials, and may be used to indicate an overview of essential knowledge. The exact scope of what constitutes the põhitõed can vary between authors and curricula.

Limitations of the concept include the risk of over-simplification: focusing only on põhitõed may leave learners with gaps in more complex or specialized areas. Nevertheless, the notion reflects a common educational approach to establish a solid base of understanding before advancing to deeper topics.