Harjoittamaan

Harjoittamaan is the to-infinitive form of the Finnish verb harjoittaa, meaning to practice, train, or exercise. This non-finite form is used in constructions where the action of practicing is the complement of another verb or expresses an intention to begin an activity. A common pattern is ryhtyä harjoittamaan, meaning to start practicing. For example: Hän päätti ryhtyä harjoittamaan liikuntaa. The form can also appear with other verbs that express intention or continuation, and it may take an object indicating what is practiced (kuntosaliharjoituksia, kieliä, musiikkia, etc.).

The noun most closely related to this root is harjoittaminen, meaning practice or training as a process. The present active participle form harjoittava means “practicing” and is used in compounds and subordinate clauses. The verb is part of a broader family of Finnish -taa/-itä infinitive patterns, which gives rise to related forms and expressions in everyday language.

Usage notes emphasize that harjoittamaan often appears in contexts describing the initiation or ongoing act of practicing, especially after verbs such as ryhtyä (to start) or aikomus (intention). In simple, everyday statements, speakers may prefer the plain form harjoittaa when no explicit initiation is intended.

Etymology: the verb harjoittaa derives from harjoitus (practice) with the common Finnish infinitive pattern -taa.

See also: harjoittaminen, harjoittelu, harjoitus, harjoittelija, harjoittaja.