teenimine

Teenimine is an Estonian noun meaning the act or process of earning income or of providing services for others. It is formed from the verb teenima, which can mean to earn or to serve, with the nominalizing suffix -imine. The sense of the word varies by context: in economic usage it often refers to earning money or making a living; in a broader sense it can denote the provision of labor or services that yield compensation.

Usage and prevalence: The term is relatively formal and appears more often in written language, policy discussions, or academic writing. In everyday speech, speakers typically use sissetulek or tulu to express “income,” and palk to denote “salary.” In discussions of labor, welfare, or earnings, teenimine may be used to emphasize the activity of earning rather than the result (income) alone.

Origin and morphology: The word is a standard Estonian derivation, created by adding the suffix -imine to the verb teenima. This pattern is common in Estonian for forming nouns that describe actions, processes, or states.

Related terms: sissetulek (income), tulu (income), palk (salary), teenus (service). See also Estonian economic terminology and discussions of labor and earnings.