ystävällisin terveisin
The English phrase "best regards" can be translated into Finnish as ystävällisin terveisin. Wiktionary also lists parhain terveisin.
Meaning: polite closing of a letter (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ystävällisin terveisin | |
| parhain terveisin | /ˈpɑrhɑi̯n ˈterʋei̯sin/ (word by word) |
These phrases are used as polite closings for letters or emails. While both are polite, ystävällisin terveisin can specifically be used to translate to "kind regards" to add a sense of friendliness to a formal message.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ystävällisin terveisin literally means "with friendliest greetings", while parhain terveisin literally means "with best greetings".
Which one should you use?
Ystävällisin terveisin is slightly more common and standard for professional correspondence than parhain terveisin.
Did you know?
- A Finnish writer might use ystävällisin terveisin to subtly soften the blow of a letter that delivers strict or unpleasant news.
- In Finnish, the greeting terveiset shares a linguistic root with the word for 'health', effectively wishing the recipient well-being.
- Both common forms, parhain terveisin and ystävällisin terveisin, utilize a grammatical structure known as the 'instructive plural'.
Examples in context
- Ystävällisin terveisin, SiljaBest regards, Silja.This example shows the use of ystävällisin terveisin in a sign-off.Tatoeba #2662174 by Silja, translation #2662176 by tsp_2
- Ystävällisin terveisin, Pekka.Best regards, Pekka.
Example conversation
Sofia is asking Mikko to review a formal email.
- SofiaMikko, onko tämä sähköposti hyvä?Mikko, is this email good?
- MikkoKyllä, se on oikein asiallinen.Yes, it is very professional.
- SofiaPitäisikö loppuun lisätä ystävällisin terveisin?Should I add best regards at the end?
- MikkoSe sopii tähän erinomaisesti.That suits this perfectly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “best regards” translations and entries ystävällisin terveisin, parhain terveisin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (parhain, terveisin) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
