Teoreettiset

Teoreettiset is Finnish an adjective form meaning related to theory. It describes concepts, models, frameworks or approaches that are derived from theoretical considerations rather than from direct observation or practical application. The corresponding base noun is teoria, from which the adjective teoreettinen is formed; teoreettiset is the plural form used with plural nouns.

In academic and technical language teoreettiset is used to distinguish theory-based work from empirical or applied work. It frequently occurs in phrases such as teoreettiset mallit (theoretical models), teoreettinen viitekehys (theoretical framework), teoreettiset perusteet (theoretical foundations) and teoreettiset käsitteet (theoretical concepts). The term spans disciplines including physics, philosophy, linguistics, sociology, and economics, where researchers discuss hypotheses, principles, and explanations that arise from theory rather than from experiments alone.

The word is commonly contrasted with empiriset or empiirinen, which describe knowledge or methods based on observation or experiment. In practice, many studies combine teoreettiset analyses with empirical validation, using theory to guide data collection and interpretation. As with other Finnish adjectives, teoreettiset agrees with the nouns it modifies in number and case, for example teoreettisista lähtökohdista (from theoretical origins) or teoreettiset lähestymistavat (theoretical approaches).

Overall, teoreettiset denotes the theoretical dimension within discussions, providing a vocabulary to address abstractions, explanations, and principled reasoning that underpin research across fields.