Päätoiminen

Päätoiminen is a Finnish adjective meaning “full-time” or “as one’s main occupation.” It describes a role, position, or activity that is the primary form of work for a person, typically involving regular salary or compensation rather than a secondary or voluntary engagement. The word combines pää- meaning “main” or “primary” with toiminen, meaning “to act” or “to operate.”

In use, päätoiminen describes tasks or roles that constitute a person’s main professional activity. Examples include päätoiminen toimittaja (editor-in-chief), päätoiminen opettaja (full-time teacher), and päätoiminen virkamies (full-time civil servant). The term is commonly contrasted with sivutoiminen, which denotes a part-time or secondary activity, and with hobby- or voluntary engagements that lie outside one’s primary occupation. In many contexts, the designation signals that the role is the person’s primary source of income and responsibility.

Etymologically, päätoiminen reflects the distinction between primary and secondary work arrangements in Finnish employment and organizational contexts. Its usage spans journalism, public administration, education, and other fields where a clear division between full-time positions and additional responsibilities is relevant.

Notes on nuance: while itseisesti the expression implies a full-time, salary-based engagement, exact definitions can vary by sector, contract, or organizational policy. The term is largely a descriptive label rather than a fixed legal status, and it is often used in job titles, descriptions, and personnel discussions to indicate the scope and priority of the role.

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