vastaanotoilla

Vastaanotoilla is a Finnish noun phrase formed from vastaanotto, meaning reception or the act of receiving, in the adessive plural form. It literally translates to “at the receptions” or “in the receptions,” and is used to describe locations or occasions where guests are greeted or received, or where reception-related activities take place, when referring to more than one such place or event.

Linguistically, vastaanotto derives from the verb vastaanottaa, meaning to receive or to welcome. The form vastaanotoilla combines the plural stem vastaanotot (receptions) with the adessive plural suffix -lla, indicating location or setting: at the receptions. This form is common in descriptive or narrative contexts, such as reporting events or describing arrangements across multiple venues or occasions.

Usage contexts vary. In social or event settings, vastaanotoilla may describe scenes at several receptions, for example at weddings, official functions, or party gatherings: Häiden vastaanotoilla vieraat otettiin vastaan hymyillen. In institutional or service contexts, it can refer to reception areas or front desks serving guests or patients, when discussing multiple locations or shifts: Kaupungin vastaanotoilla työskentelee useita vastaanottovarantoja. The term is generally neutral and open to interpretation as either the physical space (reception desks/areas) or the occasions (the receptions themselves).

Related terms include vastaanotto (singular: reception, reception area, or act of receiving) and vastaanottopalvelut (reception services). The word is common in everyday Finnish and in written descriptions of events, hospitality, and administrative settings.