lähde

Lähde is a Finnish noun with several related senses centered on origin and starting point. The primary meaning is a source or origin, including a natural spring or fountain from which water flows. It can also denote the source of something more abstract, such as information, ideas, or materials. In everyday language, lähde conveys both the concrete sense of a physical water source and the figurative sense of provenance or authority behind a claim.

In usage, lähde appears in many common compounds that reflect its role as a source reference or starting point. Examples include lähdekoodi (source code), lähdeluettelo (list of sources or bibliography), and lähdeviite (citation). These formations show how the word functions across contexts such as software development, academic writing, and research.

Grammatical notes: lähde is a regular Finnish noun. In the singular, the forms are nominative lähde, genitive lähteen, and partitive lähdettä. In the plural, nominative is lähteet, genitive lähteiden, and partitive lähteitä. The word is typically used with the appropriate case endings to indicate possession, origin, or source direction in a sentence.

Etymology and language context: lähde is a native Finnish term and a common part of both formal and informal registers. It is a foundational word in discussions of provenance, evidence, and reference, and it underpins vocabulary used in journalism, academia, and information technology.