What does it mean word for word?
The part mitä kuuluu? literally translates to "what is heard?" or "what belongs?", where kuuluu is the third-person singular form of the verb kuulua (to belong/to be heard).
Which one should you use?
The greeting can be adjusted by changing the opening. Moi, mitä kuuluu? is a more casual version of the default phrase. Additionally, Mitä kuuluu? is a common way to ask how someone is, but it is more specifically focused on what is currently happening in the person's life.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form Hei, mitä kuuluu? is a standard greeting. For a more casual setting, such as among friends or peers, you can use Moi instead of Hei to say Moi, mitä kuuluu? In formal situations, you should use Kuinka voitte? to ask how someone is doing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The question mitä kuuluu? is a fixed idiom and does not change its form based on who you are talking to.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you Mitä kuuluu?, a standard and polite response is Kiitos, hyvää (Thanks, good).
Did you know?
- The casual greeting Moi is often doubled to Moi moi when saying goodbye, making the same word function as both a hello and a farewell.
- The word hei is a linguistic relative of the English word 'hey', as both words descend from ancient sounds used to grab someone's attention.
- The formal greeting Kuinka voitte? uses a verb form that can address either a high-status individual or a whole group of people.
Examples in context
- Tervehdys! Kuinka voitte?Hello! How are you?
- Moi! Mitä kuuluu?Hi! How are you?
- Hei, mitä kuuluu?Hello, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hei, CC BY-SA 4.0.
