Toimitsijoina

Toimitsijoina is a Finnish noun form that means “as acting deputies” or “in the capacity of deputies.” It refers to multiple people who temporarily occupy or perform the duties of a position, acting as substitutes when the regular holder is absent or the post is vacant. The base noun is toimitsija, meaning a person who acts in place of someone else, i.e., a deputy or acting official. The form toimitsijoina is the essive plural, used to describe the role these individuals are taking on collectively.

In usage, toimitsijoina is common in administrative, corporate, and political contexts where temporary leadership or substitution is required. It is typically used in sentences that describe efficiency, continuity, or interim arrangements, for example: Kolme virkamiestä toimi toimitsijoina, kun johtaja oli poissa. This translates roughly as “Three officials acted as deputies while the director was away.” The corresponding singular form is toimitsijana, used when referring to a single acting official.

Grammatical notes: toimitsijoina is formed from the stem toimitsija with the essive plural ending -joina, which marks “in the capacity of” for multiple individuals. The related singular form is toimitsijana, used for one acting official. The term is primarily a descriptive label rather than a formal title; it appears in written and spoken Finnish where temporary substitution topics are discussed.

Overall, toimitsijoina encapsulates the concept of temporary, acting roles filled by more than one person, highlighting the practical arrangements that maintain continuity in leadership or duties.