pääsanallinen

Pääsanallinen is a Finnish term that translates to "headword" or "main word" in English. It refers to the primary word in a compound word, phrase, or entry that determines its core meaning. In lexicography, the pääsanallinen is the word under which a dictionary entry is organized. For example, in the compound word "kirjahylly" (bookshelf), "kirja" (book) is the pääsanallinen, as the word describes a type of shelf for books.

The concept of pääsanallinen is crucial for understanding word formation and grammar in Finnish. When analyzing a compound word, identifying the pääsanallinen helps in deciphering its overall meaning and grammatical function. It often indicates the grammatical case and number of the entire compound. For instance, if the pääsanallinen is in the genitive case, the entire compound word might be functioning as a possessive.

In linguistic analysis, the pääsanallinen is also important for classification. It helps linguists categorize words and phrases based on their most significant component. This principle extends to phrases where one word carries the main semantic load, dictating the meaning of the entire phrase. Understanding the pääsanallinen is therefore a fundamental aspect of Finnish language comprehension and study.