vajaatoiminnalla

Vajaatoiminnalla is a Finnish adessive form that describes something operating with impaired functioning or in a state of malfunction. It is derived from vajaatoiminta, meaning malfunction or defective operation, with the adessive suffix -lla indicating “with” or “in the presence of.” In English, the phrase can be rendered as “with impaired function” or “in a malfunctioning state.”

In Finnish technical and medical language, vajaatoiminnalla is used to describe devices, systems, or biological processes that operate below normal capacity due to fault, damage, or impairment. It is common in manuals, risk assessments, clinical notes, and diagnostic reports. The expression often appears in compound phrases such as laite vajaatoiminnalla (a device with impaired function) or järjestelmä vajaatoiminnalla (a system with malfunction).

Usage notes include that vajaatoiminnalla conveys a condition or mode of operation rather than a permanent state of identity. It is typically contrasted with normaalikäytössä or toiminnassa to indicate normal or fully functional status. The term is most appropriate when the emphasis is on reduced performance, safety implications, or need for remediation.

See also: vajaatoiminta (malfunction, defective operation), toimintahäiriö (operational fault), laitteisto- ja järjestelmävaarat (device and system risks).