tööpaigal

Tööpaigal is Estonian an adverb meaning on the workplace or on site, referring to the place where work is performed. It is used to indicate that an activity or presence occurs at the work location rather than elsewhere.

Etymology and form: The term is derived from the noun tööpaik (workplace) and appears in a locational form that can modify verbs or clauses, signaling that the action takes place on site. In practice, it often appears in formal or technical contexts such as safety guidelines, project documentation, and on-site reporting.

Usage: Tööpaigal is used when the location of work matters. For example, it can appear in sentences like, “Töötaja peab olema tööpaigal töö ajal” (The worker must be on site during the work) or “Tööpaigal viibimine on ohutusnõue” (Staying on site is a safety requirement). In everyday speech, speakers may instead use phrases such as “kohapeal tööl” or “tööl kohapeal,” which convey a similar idea.

Context and register: The term is appropriate in professional, industrial, construction, or project-management contexts where distinctions between on-site and remote work are relevant. It is understood by Estonian speakers and is acceptable in formal writing, though it is not the most common everyday expression for being at a work site.

See also: töökoht, tööpaik, kohapeal, töökohal, kohapealne töö.