pääsyehto

Pääsyehto is a Finnish term meaning the main condition or principal prerequisite that must be met for something to apply, be accepted, or proceed to the next stage. It designates the essential eligibility criterion in a process, contract, or decision. If the pääsyehto is not fulfilled, other considerations are typically not taken into account, and an application or bid may be rejected or deemed ineligible.

Etymology and form: The word combines pää- meaning main or principal and ehto meaning condition. It is a standard element of formal, bureaucratic Finnish and appears in statutes, guidelines, admissions notices, contracts, and procurement documents.

Usage: Pääsyehto is commonly used in education admissions, employment processes, licensing procedures, and public tenders where a firm, non-negotiable criterion determines eligibility. In many contexts, the pääsyehto is stated explicitly, sometimes alongside other, secondary, or optional conditions. The precise content of the pääsyehto depends on the issuing authority and the specific document.

Related concepts: The term is often contrasted with other types of conditions that may be described as supplementary or non-essential. While a pääsyehto lays down the fundamental requirement, additional criteria may exist that refine eligibility but are not determinative on their own.

Examples: A university admissions notice might specify as a pääsyehto the possession of a relevant degree or a mandatory language proficiency result; a professional licensing body might require passing an examination as the pääsyehto for certification. The exact language and scope vary by context and document.