minun
/ˈminun/
The Finnish word for "my" is minun. Wiktionary also lists minun …ni and -ni.
Meaning: belonging to me (det)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| minun | /ˈminun/ |
| minun …ni | |
| -ni | /-ni/ |
The word minun and its related forms are used to indicate that something belongs to the speaker.
Which one should you use?
Using both the pronoun minun and the suffix -ni (for example, minun …ni) is more emphatic or formal than using just the suffix -ni alone or just the pronoun minun alone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Helsinki dialect, mun is used as a shortcut for minun. In some eastern Finnish dialects, miun is used as a variation of "my".
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -ni is the first-person singular possessive suffix used to indicate possession by "me". In spoken Finnish, the possessive suffix -ni is often used alongside the possessive pronoun minun to express "my".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈminun/
Did you know?
- The suffix -ni is a remnant of a prehistoric linguistic system that extends far beyond Finland. It shares a common ancestor with the possessive suffix -m used in the Erzya language of Russia.
- Finnish allows you to attach -ni to words that are not traditionally 'possessions'. It can be used to indicate a personal relationship or a specific connection to an object or person.
- In some extremely formal or poetic contexts, the suffix -ni can make a sentence feel more intimate or, conversely, more old-fashioned.
Examples in context
- Se on minun CD:ni.It's my CD.This sentence shows how to use minun with a noun.Tatoeba #3374486 by Silja, translation #25536 by CK
- Tuo on minun työni.That's my job.Tatoeba #3144952 by Kalle63, translation #1897796 by CK
- Se on minun vikani.That's my fault.Tatoeba #3774564 by Silja, translation #251307 by CK
- Tämä on minun kirjani.This is my book.
- Tää on mun oma kirja.This is my own book.
- 1011 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Laura are looking for a lost umbrella.
- JuhoOnko tuo minun sateenvarjoni?Is that my umbrella?
- LauraEi, tämä on minun sateenvarponi.No, this is my umbrella.
- JuhoMissä minun sateenvarponi on?Where is my umbrella?
- LauraSe on tuolla oven vieressä.It is over there by the door.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my” translations and entries minun, -ni, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries -ni, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
