What does it mean word for word?
The question mitä kuuluu? literally translates to "what is heard?" or "what belongs?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form Moi, mitä kuuluu? is informal. For a formal setting, you should use Tervehdys! Kuinka voitte? to say "Hello! How are you?" or specifically the question Kuinka voitte? to ask "How are you?" When responding to a formal greeting, common phrases include Kiitos, hyvin or Hyvin, kiitos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Helsinki, the phrase Moro! Miten menee? is commonly used in informal situations to say "Hi! How are you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase mitä kuuluu?, the verb kuuluu is the third-person singular form of the verb kuulua, which means "to belong" or "to be heard".
When do people say it?
When someone asks you mitä kuuluu?, a common way to respond is Kiitos, hyvää, which means "Thanks, good.".
Did you know?
- The greeting terve is derived from the Finnish word for 'healthy'. Saying it is effectively wishing the other person health.
- The word moi was borrowed into Finnish from Low German, not from a native Finnish root.
- The formal kuinka voitte? uses the plural or formal 'you', which is rarely heard in daily life because Finnish society is highly egalitarian and prefers informal address.
Example conversation
Emma and Antti meet by chance on the street.
- EmmaMoi, mitä kuuluu?Hi, how are you?
- AnttiMoi! Hyvää kuuluu, kiitos.Hi! I'm doing well, thanks.
- EmmaKiva nähdä sinua, Antti.It's nice to see you, Antti.
- AnttiSamoin, Emma!Likewise, Emma!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
