pääsanansa

Pääsanansa is a term used in Finnish linguistics to denote the head word of a phrase or compound. It refers to the core lexical unit that determines the grammatical properties and the overall meaning of the construction. In practical terms, the pääsanansa is the element that governs inflection and governs how modifiers attach to the whole.

Etymologically, the word is formed from pää (head) and sana (word), with the possessive suffix -nsa, literally meaning “its head word.” The concept emphasizes the central word around which a phrase or compound is organized, and it is most often discussed in formal descriptions of syntax and lexicography rather than in everyday speech.

In compounds, the head is typically the rightmost element in Finnish, and the whole compound inherits the head’s grammatical class and inflection. Modifiers attach to or modify the head, shaping its meaning within the larger expression. In lexicography, the pääsanansa functions as the headword under which related inflected forms are grouped, which helps in organizing dictionary entries and cross-references.

Examples help illustrate the idea. In tietokoneohjelmisto “computer software,” the pääsanansa is ohjelmisto (software), since inflection and semantics of the compound align with that noun. In kirjakauppa “bookshop,” the head is kauppa (shop). The possessive kirjakaupan shows agreement with the head’s case and number.

Pääsanansa is primarily a descriptive, formal concept used for analyzing Finnish compounds and headword behavior. It is related to, but distinct from, broader notions such as lemma, headword in dictionaries, and syntactic head in phrase structure.