todella

§ What 'todella' means

The Finnish word 'todella' is an adverb that translates to 'really' in English. It's a common word you'll hear and use often, so it's good to get familiar with it early on. It's straightforward to use because it doesn't change its form based on cases or numbers.

Definition

really

§ Basic usage of 'todella'

You use 'todella' to emphasize adjectives, adverbs, or even verbs, similar to how you use 'really' in English. It comes before the word it's modifying.

This translates to: It is really a good book.

This means: He/She speaks Finnish really fast.

§ 'Todella' with verbs

While more common with adjectives and adverbs, you can also use 'todella' to emphasize verbs, though often you might use other adverbs like 'paljon' (a lot) for emphasis on the degree of the action. However, 'todella' works well to express genuine feeling or intensity.

This translates to: I really like this music.

§ Common phrases with 'todella'

Here are some common phrases where 'todella' is used:

• Todella hyvä! (Really good!)

  Sinun kakku oli todella hyvä!

  Your cake was really good!

• Todella paljon (Really much/a lot)

  Kiitos todella paljon avusta!

  Thank you really much for the help!

• Todella kaunis (Really beautiful)

  Se oli todella kaunis näkymä.

  It was a really beautiful view.

§ 'Todella' vs. 'tosiaan' and 'oikeasti'

You might also come across 'tosiaan' and 'oikeasti', which can also translate to 'really' or 'indeed'. While they often overlap, there are slight nuances:

• Todella: This is generally about intensity or degree, like 'very' or 'so'. It's the most neutral and widely applicable for emphasis.

• Tosiaan: This often implies confirmation or agreement, like 'indeed' or 'that's right'. It can also be used as a conversational filler.

  A: Onpa kylmä! B: Tosiaan!

  A: It's cold! B: Indeed!

• Oikeasti: This emphasizes truth or reality, meaning 'actually' or 'in reality'. It's often used when clarifying something or expressing surprise.

  Onko tämä oikeasti totta?

  Is this really true?

§ Todella vs. Paljon

One common mistake English speakers make is confusing 'todella' with 'paljon'. Both can express a sense of 'very' or 'a lot', but they apply to different types of words. 'Todella' modifies adjectives and adverbs, intensifying their meaning. 'Paljon' modifies verbs or refers to a large quantity of a noun.

Think of 'todella' as 'really' or 'very' when you're describing a quality. For instance, 'todella hyvä' means 'really good'. You wouldn't say 'paljon hyvä' because 'good' is an adjective, not a verb or a noun indicating quantity.

§ Overuse of 'Todella'

Just like in English, overusing 'really' can make your speech sound less natural. While 'todella' is useful for emphasis, Finnish has other ways to express intensity or agreement. Sometimes a simple, strong adjective is enough, or you can use other intensifiers.

For example, instead of always saying 'todella hyvä', you could use 'erinomainen' (excellent) or 'upea' (great/wonderful) to add variety and nuance to your vocabulary.

Could also be:

§ Placement in Sentences

While 'todella' often comes directly before the word it modifies, pay attention to word order in Finnish, which can be more flexible than English. Generally, placing 'todella' right before the adjective or adverb you want to intensify is the safest bet.

Incorrect placement might not make the sentence ungrammatical, but it could sound awkward or shift the emphasis unintentionally.

This is natural. Compare to:

§ Not Using Other Intensifiers

While 'todella' is a good go-to, it's not the only intensifier in Finnish. For example, 'oikein' also means 'really' or 'quite' and can sometimes be used interchangeably, though 'todella' often implies a stronger degree of intensity. Then there's 'aivan' (quite, totally) and 'erittäin' (extremely).

Intensifiers to explore

• Oikein: Often used for politeness or when something is 'quite' something.
• Aivan: Means 'quite' or 'totally', emphasizes completeness.
• Erittäin: A stronger, more formal 'very' or 'extremely'.

Learning these alternatives will make your Finnish sound more nuanced and native-like.

§ What 'todella' means

The Finnish word 'todella' is an adverb. It’s a very common word, and you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversation. Its main meaning is 'really' or 'truly'. It's used to emphasize something, making it stronger.

§ How to use 'todella'

You can use 'todella' with adjectives, other adverbs, and sometimes verbs to add emphasis. It usually comes before the word it's modifying.