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How to say "thank you" in Finnish
Kiitos means "thank you". Add paljon for "thank you very much": kiitos paljon.
Using kiitos
Kiitos works in almost every situation, from a shop till to a formal letter. Say it with a long "ee" and put the stress on the first syllable.
It is also the everyday word for "please" when you are asking for something. Finnish has no exact equivalent of English "please", so you put kiitos at the end of the request: Kahvi, kiitos. ("A coffee, please.")
Ways to say thank you
| Finnish | English | When |
|---|---|---|
| kiitos | thank you / thanks | Any situation |
| kiitos paljon | thank you very much | Any situation |
| kiitti | thanks | Casual, with friends |
| kiitos avusta | thanks for the help | After someone helps you |
| kiitos samoin | thanks, same to you | Replying to a good wish |
How to reply
The usual reply is ole hyvä ("you're welcome", literally "be good"). Casual alternatives are ei kestä and ei se mitään ("it's nothing"). Another common reply is ei hätää ("no worries").
Example sentences
- Kiitos avusta.Thank you for the help.
- Kiitos paljon!Thank you very much!
- Kahvi, kiitos.A coffee, please.
- Kiitos, samoin.Thanks, you too.
Common questions
How do you say "thank you" in Finnish?
Kiitos. For extra emphasis, say kiitos paljon (thank you very much).
How do you say "you're welcome" in Finnish?
Ole hyvä is the standard reply. In casual speech people also say ei kestä or ei se mitään.
Does Finnish have a word for "please"?
Not a direct one. Finns usually put kiitos after the request, as in "Kahvi, kiitos", or use polite forms such as "Voisinko saada kahvin?" (Could I have a coffee?).
Related words
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