periaatteellisen

Periaatteellinen is a Finnish adjective meaning principled, grounded in a fixed set of principles or moral standards. It is used to describe people, policies, decisions, or arguments that are guided by explicit values rather than expediency or pragmatism. The term often carries a positive tone, signaling consistency and integrity, but can also imply rigidity in some contexts.

Etymology: Derived from periaate "principle" plus the -ellinen suffix that forms adjectives meaning "pertaining to" or "characterized by." The word is cognate with other Finnic forms and is related to the noun periaate and to expressions such as periaatteellinen kanta.

Usage: Common compounds include periaatteellinen kanta (a principled stance), periaatteellinen ratkaisu (a principled decision), and periaatteellinen linja (principled line). In political or ethical discourse, the term highlights adherence to stated principles rather than compromise for convenience. Antonyms include pragmattinen or käytännöllinen, implying a more flexible or practical approach.

Examples: "Hänen periaatteellinen kantansa korostaa rehellisyyttä ja oikeudenmukaisuutta." "Keskustelu pyöri periaatteellisella tasolla."

See also: periaate, kanta.