Toimettomana

Toimettomana is a Finnish expression that describes a state of inactivity or idleness. It is used to indicate that a person or thing is not acting, functioning, or engaging in activity at a given moment. The form often appears in contexts where the emphasis is on the temporary or situational nature of the state rather than a permanent trait.

Grammatical notes are typically that toimettomana is the essive form of an adjective related to inactivity. This means it describes how someone or something exists in that moment—“as idle” or “in an idle state.” It is common with verbs of being or remaining, such as olla (to be), jäädä (to remain), or pysyä (to stay). The phrase can modify the subject or function as a predicative complement.

Usage examples:

- Hän seisoi toimettomana ja katseli ikkunasta. (He stood idle and watched out the window.)

- Hän oli toimettomana koko päivän. (He was idle for the whole day.)

- Laite on toimettomana, kun sitä ei käytetä. (The device is idle when not in use.)

Etymology and related terms:

Toimettomana derives from the noun toimettomuus, meaning inactivity or idleness, via the related adjective toimeton/toimettom. The suffix -na, part of the essive case, marks a temporary state of being. Related Finnish terms include toiminta (activity), toimeton (idle, inactive), and phrases describing states of operation or non-operation.

See also:

- Toiminta

- Toimettomuus

- Essive case in Finnish grammar

Overall, toimettomana is a concise, neutral way to convey that something or someone is not taking action or functioning at a particular moment, without implying permanent characteristics.