toimi

Toimi is a Finnish word with several related meanings. As a noun, it denotes function, role, or post within an organization, and it can refer to the duties or the operating capacity of a thing. In formal or administrative language it appears in compounds such as toimenkuva (job description), toimiala (industry or sector), and toiminta (activity or operation), all of which derive from the same root.

As a verb, toimi exists in the form toimia, meaning to act, to function, or to operate. It is commonly used in everyday speech to describe whether a device or system is working. For example, laite ei toimi means the device does not work, and kuka toimii tässä projektissa would refer to who is acting or taking responsibility in a project.

Etymologically, toimi is linked to the verb toimia; the root toim- is productive in many Finnish compounds dealing with action, function, and activity. The word is a core part of a large family of terms such as toiminta, toiminto, and toimielin, which expand on the ideas of doing, acting, and organized activity.

Besides its linguistic uses, toimi is also encountered as a Finnish masculine given name, though it is relatively uncommon. In onomastic contexts, it reflects the same notion of role or function that appears in its other uses.

In summary, toimi functions as a versatile root in Finnish, connecting notions of function, duty, and action in everyday language, formal terminology, and personal naming.