yleispiirteittäin

Yleispiirteittäin is a Finnish adverb that translates to "in broad outline," "generally speaking," or "in general terms." It is used to indicate that a description or explanation is not exhaustive or detailed but rather focuses on the main points or characteristics. The word is formed from the noun "yleispiirre," which means "general feature" or "outline," combined with the adverbial suffix "-ittäin."

When someone speaks or writes "yleispiirteittäin," they are presenting information in a simplified manner, highlighting the most significant aspects without delving into specifics or exceptions. This approach is often employed when providing an initial overview of a topic, summarizing complex information, or when a high level of detail is not necessary or desired by the audience. For example, one might describe a country's political system "yleispiirteittäin" by mentioning the head of state and the legislative body, without going into the intricacies of electoral processes or parliamentary procedures. Similarly, a business report might outline a company's strategy "yleispiirteittäin" by stating its main goals and target markets, rather than detailing every operational step. The use of "yleispiirteittäin" signals to the listener or reader that further, more detailed information might be available but is being omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.