Toimivaltaisessa

Toimivaltaisessa is a Finnish inflected form used in formal language to indicate that a subject is within the authority, competence, or jurisdiction of a particular body. Grammatically, it is the inessive singular form of an adjective derived from toimivalta (authority or competence) and is commonly paired with a noun in the same case, for example toimivaltaisessa viranomaisessa meaning “in the competent authority.”

Meaning and usage

The term signals that action, decision-making, or responsibility lies with the specified body rather than elsewhere. It is typically found in legal, administrative, or organizational texts where jurisdiction or empowerment must be stated clearly. The form helps attribute powers or duties to the appropriate institution or official.

Examples

Hakemus käsitellään toimivaltaisessa viranomaisessa. The application is processed by the competent authority. Toimivaltaisessa asemassaan oleva viranomainen voi tehdä päätöksiä. A viranomainen in a competent position may issue decisions.

Etymology and related forms

Toimivaltaisessa derives from the root toimivalta (authority, competence) and the adjective-forming pattern seen with -ainen adjectives in Finnish, where the inessive singular typically ends in -aisessa or -taisessa depending on the exact stem. Related terms include toimivaltainen (competent, authorized) and toimivalta (authority).

See also

Finnish grammar, Finnish adjectives, inessive case, toimivalta, toimivaltainen.