päälliseltä

Päälliseltä is a Finnish term that translates to "from above," "on top," or "outwardly" depending on the context. It often describes the origin or direction of something. For instance, when referring to weather, päälliseltä voi sataa vettä means "it can rain from above." In a more abstract sense, it can indicate something that is superficial or apparent. For example, the phrase hän on päälliseltä ystävällinen translates to "he is outwardly friendly," suggesting a friendly appearance that may not reflect his true nature.

The word can also be used to describe something that is placed on top of something else. If you are talking about a building, päälliseltä näyttää hyvältä means "it looks good from the outside." This usage emphasizes the external view or appearance. In some contexts, päälliseltä can imply a source of influence or origin, particularly when discussing natural phenomena or actions. It is a versatile adverb that adds nuance to descriptions of location, direction, and appearance. Understanding its various meanings is key to comprehending Finnish sentences where it appears.