kiitos
/ˈkiːtos/
Thank you in Finnish is kiitos.
kiitos is the most common word for thank you in Finnish. If you want to say thank you very much, the standard way is to add paljon (much) after the word to say kiitos paljon.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Which one should you use?
While kiitos is the standard term, kiitokset is a slightly more formal option. To express gratitude to a group or to someone using a formal tone, you can use kiitoksia teille, which means thanks to you. The plural form kiitoksia is also used as a slightly more casual, enthusiastic way to say thanks or to mean many thanks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word kiitos is a noun and can be declined. For example, kiitoksen is the genitive form, used in phrases such as kiitoksen vuoksi (for the sake of thanks).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkiːtos/
When do people say it?
The standard polite response to kiitos is Ole hyvä, which literally means 'be good' and is equivalent to saying 'you are welcome'.
Did you know?
- In Finland, kiitos is often used as a polite way to say 'no thank you' when declining an offer, without needing to add the word for 'no'.
- The response ole hyvä is not only used for 'you are welcome' but is also the standard phrase used when handing an object to someone, similar to 'here you go'.
- The word kiitos is used in the phrase kiitos vain, where vain usually means 'only' but here serves to soften the tone or express a slight irony.
Examples in context
- – Tässä. – Kiitos."Here you go." "Thank you."This shows how to use kiitos when receiving something.Tatoeba #7965403 by Thanuir, translation #5832804 by OsoHombre
- Kiitos kun teet tämän.Thank you for doing this.This demonstrates using kiitos to thank someone for a specific action.Tatoeba #3885101 by Silja, translation #1869598 by Spamster
- Kiitos kun ostit ruokaa.Thank you for buying food.Tatoeba #3768090 by Silja, translation #3732640 by CK
- Kiitos!Thank you!
- Kiitokset, tämä on todella ihana!Thank you, this is really lovely!
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma gives a gift to Juho at his birthday party.
- EmmaTässä on lahja sinulle, Juho.Here is a gift for you, Juho.
- JuhoKiitos paljon, Emma!Thank you very much, Emma!
- EmmaOle hyvä.You're welcome.
- JuhoPidän tästä todella paljon.I really like this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries kiitos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
