Taidokas

Taidokas is a Finnish adjective meaning skilled or talented. It describes a person who demonstrates a high level of ability in a craft, art, or activity. In neutral and formal contexts, taidokas conveys a positive assessment of competence, often implying that the person has earned proficiency through practice and experience.

The word is formed from the stem taido or taito, meaning skill or craft, with a derivational suffix that marks possession of the quality. It is primarily used for people—such as artisans, professionals, athletes, or students—but can also be applied to tasks or products to suggest skilled execution: taidokas työ (skillful work).

Taidokas sits between more general terms such as taitava (dexterous) and osaava (capable) and is typically used to describe demonstrated skill rather than potential. It carries a positive, respectful nuance, and while not as strong as mestari (master), it can acknowledge high competence in a given field.

Examples: "Hän on taidokas puusepp" and "Taidokkaan suorituksen taustalla on pitkä harjoittelu." In plural form, taidokkaat tekijät means skilled makers or craftsmen. The term is common in journalism, education, and descriptions of crafts, sports, and professional work.