põhipunkt

Põhipunkt is an Estonian term meaning the central or main point of a text, argument, or discussion. The word combines põhi, meaning main or principal, and punkt, meaning point. In practice, põhipunkt refers to the core claim or thesis that a speaker or writer seeks to convey, and that other elements of the text serve to support or illustrate.

Usage: In education, students may be asked to identify the põhipunkt of a passage or to state its põhipunkt in a summary. In essays and analyses, the põhipunkt represents the central argument or finding. In journalism or public speaking, it denotes the key takeaway for the audience. The term is often used in more formal contexts; in everyday language, speakers may simply say "the main idea."

Nuance and related terms: Põhipunkt emphasizes core significance rather than peripheral details. Related Estonian terms include keskpunkt (center point), fookus (focus), and peamine mõte (main idea). The concept corresponds to "main point" or "thesis" in English.