Toistaiseksi

Toistaiseksi is a Finnish adverb meaning "for the time being" or "until further notice." It indicates that a state, decision, or arrangement is temporary and subject to change, without specifying a definite end date. In discourse, toistaiseksi signals provisional status rather than permanence, and it is common in both everyday speech and formal writing.

In practice, toistaiseksi is often used with phrases such as "toistaiseksi voimassa" (for the time being in force) or "toistaiseksi voimassa oleva" (currently in force). It is frequently applied to laws, contracts, and policies, but also to ongoing situations. Examples include "Laki on toistaiseksi voimassa," "Sopimus on toistaiseksi voimassa," and "Toistaiseksi ei ole lisätietoja." The expression can accompany statements about future plans, indicating that a change is possible but not certain.

The nuance of toistaiseksi is that it does not imply an immediate change; rather, it acknowledges uncertainty about when or whether the current state will end. It contrasts with phrases that state definiteness or with more definite predictions about future developments, highlighting a temporary or conditional character of the situation. In Finnish, it is a common and versatile term found in journalism, administration, and daily conversation.