Bedeutung
Not to take something too seriously.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Finns value 'itseironia' (self-irony). Being able to laugh at yourself is seen as a sign of intelligence and confidence. In Finnish offices, 'huumorilla ottaminen' is a way to handle flat hierarchies. Even the boss is expected to take a joke. Finnish memes often focus on awkward social situations. The phrase is frequently used in comments to show the poster isn't offended by criticism. While 'sisu' is about grit, 'huumorilla ottaminen' is the social side of that resilience—staying positive when things are tough.
Use it to be likable
In Finland, showing you can 'ottaa huumorilla' is the fastest way to make friends. It shows you aren't 'tosikko' (a person who takes everything too seriously).
Watch the tone
If you say 'Ota huumorilla!' to someone who is genuinely angry, it might make them angrier. Use it carefully!
Bedeutung
Not to take something too seriously.
Use it to be likable
In Finland, showing you can 'ottaa huumorilla' is the fastest way to make friends. It shows you aren't 'tosikko' (a person who takes everything too seriously).
Watch the tone
If you say 'Ota huumorilla!' to someone who is genuinely angry, it might make them angrier. Use it carefully!
Self-irony is key
The best way to use this is about yourself. 'Otan tämän huumorilla' sounds much better than telling others to do it.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ottaa'.
Minä ______ tämän pienen virheen huumorilla.
The subject is 'Minä' (I), so the verb must be 'otan'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'Take it with humor' to a friend?
Finnish uses the adessive case (-lla) for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hups, kaadoin vettä pöydälle! B: Ei se mitään, ______ ______ ______.
'Otetaan' (let's take) is a common way to suggest a shared attitude.
Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.
Your friend makes a joke about your old shoes.
This is the perfect social situation for this idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMinä ______ tämän pienen virheen huumorilla.
The subject is 'Minä' (I), so the verb must be 'otan'.
How do you say 'Take it with humor' to a friend?
Finnish uses the adessive case (-lla) for this idiom.
A: Hups, kaadoin vettä pöydälle! B: Ei se mitään, ______ ______ ______.
'Otetaan' (let's take) is a common way to suggest a shared attitude.
Your friend makes a joke about your old shoes.
This is the perfect social situation for this idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with your boss if the situation is light.
Yes, it's very common and slightly more informal. It means 'to take as a joke'.
The opposite is 'ottaa vakavasti' (to take seriously) or 'suuttua' (to get angry).
Not necessarily. It means having a lighthearted *attitude*, even if you don't literally laugh out loud.
Minä otin, sinä otit, hän otti, me otimme, te otitte, he ottivat.
It is always 'huumorilla' (adessive). 'Huumorilta' would mean 'from humor', which is wrong.
No, it's best for minor mishaps. Using it for serious problems can seem disrespectful.
It's a slang version of 'huumorilla'. Very common among young people.
Yes, it's one of the most useful idioms for social survival in Finland.
En voi ottaa tätä huumorilla.
Verwandte Redewendungen
nauraa itselleen
similarTo laugh at oneself
painaa villaisella
similarTo overlook something / let it slide
vääntää vitsiä
builds onTo crack jokes
ottaa vakavasti
contrastTo take seriously
