Hommissa

Hommissa is a Finnish colloquial expression meaning "on the job" or "busy with work." It derives from the noun homma, which means a task or job in informal speech, and the inessive suffix -issa, yielding a form that describes being occupied with tasks. The phrase is primarily used in spoken Finnish and informal writing, and it is not typically employed in formal contexts.

In usage, hommissa functions as a predicative or adverbial expression. Common ways to use it include statements like "Ollaan hommissa koko päivän" meaning "We’ll be on the job all day" or the shorter "Olla hommissa," meaning "to be on the job" or "to be busy." The form can also appear as "hommissa ollaan" in conversational emphasis. It signals that someone is engaged with work, often implying focus, diligence, or a busy schedule.

Linguistic notes: hommissa is tied to everyday work-related language and is widely understood across Finnish-speaking communities. It carries a neutral to slightly playful tone and is common in workplace slang, casual dialogue, social media, and entertainment media. While suitable for informal contexts, it is typically avoided in formal writing or official communication.

Related terms include homma (the base noun for a task or job) and slang variants for work or chores. The concept is part of the broader Finnish vocabulary for discussing activities, routines, and labor in everyday life.