mahtava
/ˈmɑhtɑʋɑ/
The Finnish word for 'awesome' is mahtava.
mahtava is used to describe something that is excellent or exciting. You can also use it as a standalone exclamation, Mahtavaa!, to react naturally to good news or a positive situation.
Meaning: excellent, exciting (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mahtava is a standard way to express being awesome, huikea is a common synonym that often carries a stronger sense of being breathtaking or dizzying. For a more intense or grand feeling, you might use suurenmoista, which means 'magnificent' or 'stupendous'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on its role in a sentence. If the word modifies a noun in the genitive case, such as in the phrase 'of an awesome day', use the genitive form mahtavan.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɑhtɑʋɑ/
Did you know?
- While mahtava is common, Finns often use the word siisti, which literally means 'tidy' or 'neat', to say something is 'awesome' in a cool or stylish way.
- The word mahtava is actually a verb in disguise, derived from the verb mahtaa, which means 'to have the power' or 'to be able to'.
- The exclamation Mahtavaa! can be used sarcastically to mean 'just great' when something goes wrong, similar to how English speakers use 'wonderful' during a disaster.
Examples in context
- Tää on ihan vitun mahtavaa!This is fucking awesome.This sentence uses mahtava to express an emphatic, vulgar way of saying something is awesome.Tatoeba #2670562 by Silja, translation #1545928 by Spamster
- Mahtavaa! Kirsikkapuut kukkivat jo.Awesome! The cherry trees are blooming already.This sentence uses mahtava as an exclamation regarding cherry trees blooming.Tatoeba #9798708 by Johannes_S, translation #9795668 by DJ_Saidez
- Mahtavaa!Awesome!This sentence uses mahtava as a simple standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #1178627 by talvipuutarha, translation #433512 by CK
- Suurenmoista! Etelä-Suomen järvimaisemat ovat kerrassaan mahtavia.Magnificent! The lake views in southern Finland are truly awesome.
- Hienoa! Voitit jalkapallo-ottelun viime hetkillä.Great! You won the football match in the last seconds.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Anna are talking about a concert they are going to.
- JuhoSain kaksi lippua konserttiin!I got two tickets to the concert!
- AnnaSe on mahtava uutinen, Juho!That is awesome news, Juho!
- JuhoMennäänkö yhdessä?Shall we go together?
- AnnaKyllä, se olisi mahtavaa!Yes, that would be awesome!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “awesome” translations and entries mahtava, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mahtava, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
