Päätoimintoina

Päätoimintoina is a Finnish expression used to indicate that certain activities are performed as a person’s primary occupation or main duties. It is formed from the noun päätoiminto (main activity) with the plural instrumental suffix -ina, yielding the sense of “as main activities.” The term is most common in formal or administrative language.

The phrase is typically used in contexts such as employment contracts, welfare and education documents, or organizational statutes to distinguish core work from secondary or hobby activities. It can describe a person’s status or work arrangement, for example: Hän toimii päätoimintoina opettajana ja tutkijana. Henkilön päätoimintona oleva työ on opetus. It is often contrasted with sivutoiminen (part-time) or harrastustoiminta, which denote secondary or voluntary activities.

Grammatical notes: päätoimintoina is the plural instrumental form used when referring to multiple main activities. In singular form, the corresponding expression is päätoimintona. The phrase usually accompanies a noun or role, such as opettajana, tutkijana, or hallinnon piirissä toimet, to emphasize the primary nature of the duties.

See also: päätoimen, päätoiminen, sivutoiminen, harrastustoiminta. These terms relate to how work and activities are structured in relation to a person’s overall responsibilities and time commitments.