Työnteko

Työnteko is a Finnish noun that literally means “the act of doing work.” It refers to the execution and conduct of work tasks, rather than the job itself. The word combines työ ("work") and teko ("act" or "deed"). In everyday Finnish, työnteko describes how someone performs tasks: reliability, care, efficiency, and quality of work.

A common expression is hyvää työnteko, used to commend good workmanship or effort, while epäonnistunut työnteko might describe poor execution. In workplace and educational contexts, työnteko can be used to discuss performance and task completion, including how well instructions are followed, timeliness, and accuracy. It can refer to a worker’s or student’s behavior in carrying out assignments.

While related terms exist—työskentely (the act of working in general) and työmoraali (work ethic)—työnteko specifically highlights the act of performing tasks rather than the nature of the task or the overall working life. The term is not a formal technical designation but a general, neutral descriptor found in everyday speech, media, and literature when describing how work is carried out.