päätoimisesti

Päätoimisesti is a Finnish adverb meaning that an activity is carried out as one's primary occupation or in a full-time capacity. It indicates that the person’s engagement in that activity is their main professional commitment rather than a hobby or secondary role. The term is commonly used in employment, organizational contexts, and public life to describe roles held as a main job.

The word derives from the adjective päätoiminen, meaning “main, primary” in relation to activity, with the adverbial suffix -sti. The components are pää- (main, principal) and toiminen (to act, to operate). Grammatical usage follows standard adverbial construction in Finnish.

Usage examples include: Hän työskentelee päätoimisesti opettajana. The organization appointed a päätoiminen sihteeri (full-time secretary). In contrast to sivutoimisesti (part-time) or harrastustoimintana (as a hobby), päätoimisesti signals a primary professional status, potentially with compensation. In CVs or job postings, it clarifies that the position is the main occupation rather than a secondary activity.

Translation and nuance: In English, the term is usually rendered as “full-time” or “as a main occupation.” However, it should not be equated automatically with a fixed number of hours; it conveys the primary nature of the activity rather than necessarily specifying exact work hours. The expression is commonly encountered in professional biographies, organizational announcements, and official descriptions of roles.