toissijaisina

Toissijaisina is a Finnish term that functions as an adjective or adverbial form meaning “as secondary” or “in a secondary capacity.” It is derived from the adjective toissijainen, which denotes secondary or auxiliary status. The form is used in plural contexts and occurs in phrases such as toissijaisina osapuolina or toissijaisina todistajina, depending on the accompanying noun. In standard Finnish, this expression conveys that a role or measure is not primary but supplementary.

Usage and nuance: Toissijaisina emphasizes secondary status rather than primacy. It is common in formal, administrative, legal, or scholarly writing to distinguish primary from secondary roles, sources, or actions. The adverbial equivalent toissijaisesti is used when describing actions performed in a secondary manner.

Examples: Toissijaisina todistajina hän osallistui oikeudenkäyntiin. Toissijaisina vaihtoehtona tarjottu suunnitelma jäi toteuttamatta.

Notes: The term is part of Finnish vocabulary and its use depends on register. In everyday speech, speakers might prefer phrases like “toissijainen rooli” or “toissijaisesti” to express similar ideas.

See also: ensisijainen (primary), toissijaisuus (secondary status), toissijaisena (as secondary, in a related form).