Significado
Asking what the problem is.
Contexto cultural
Finns value personal space, but 'Mikä hätänä?' is a socially accepted way to show you care when someone is visibly upset. It's a key part of Finnish empathy. Among Finnish-Americans or Finnish-Australians, this phrase is often one of the few preserved idioms used to show family concern. Nurses and doctors use this phrase frequently to assess a patient's immediate distress level. It is the primary phrase parents use to comfort children, often followed by 'Ei hätää' (No worries/It's okay).
Tone Matters
Say it with a soft, falling intonation to sound empathetic. A rising intonation can sound surprised or even annoyed.
Not a Greeting
Never use this as a way to say 'Hello'. It will make people think there is a fire or a disaster.
Significado
Asking what the problem is.
Tone Matters
Say it with a soft, falling intonation to sound empathetic. A rising intonation can sound surprised or even annoyed.
Not a Greeting
Never use this as a way to say 'Hello'. It will make people think there is a fire or a disaster.
Add 'sinulla'
Adding 'sinulla' (or 'sulla') makes the question feel more personal and direct: 'Mikä sulla on hätänä?'
The 'No Hätä' Response
If someone asks you this and you are fine, the best response is 'Ei mitään hätää, kiitos' (No emergency, thanks).
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to ask 'What's wrong?'.
Mikä _______?
The phrase requires the essive case '-na'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a friend what's wrong?
A friend is crying. What do you say?
'Mitä kuuluu?' is a greeting, and 'Mikä on ongelma?' is too cold/formal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: (Sees friend looking sad) ______? B: Minulla on koti-ikävä.
The response 'I am homesick' indicates the first person asked what was wrong.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You hear a crash in the kitchen.
You use 'Mikä hätänä?' to check if someone is okay after an accident.
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Ayudas visuales
When to say 'Mikä hätänä?'
Emotional
- • Crying
- • Sadness
- • Heartbreak
Physical
- • Falling
- • Pain
- • Accident
Urgent
- • Lost child
- • Fire
- • Loud crash
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMikä _______?
The phrase requires the essive case '-na'.
A friend is crying. What do you say?
'Mitä kuuluu?' is a greeting, and 'Mikä on ongelma?' is too cold/formal.
A: (Sees friend looking sad) ______? B: Minulla on koti-ikävä.
The response 'I am homesick' indicates the first person asked what was wrong.
Situation: You hear a crash in the kitchen.
You use 'Mikä hätänä?' to check if someone is okay after an accident.
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Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt can be. If someone just dropped a pen, it's too much. If they look like they're about to cry, it's perfect.
Yes, if they look visibly distressed. It shows you are a caring employee.
'Hätänä' is for distress/emergencies; 'Vaivaa' is for things that are 'bothering' or 'ailing' someone.
You can say 'Ei mikään' (Nothing) or explain your problem: 'Olen vain väsynyt' (I'm just tired).
Absolutely. It's a very common way to check on a friend who has posted something sad.
In this phrase, yes, but it can also mean a 'need' (like needing the bathroom). Context is key!
You can make it formal by using 'teillä': 'Mikä teillä on hätänä?'.
Usually, it's for people. For a car, you'd say 'Mikä tässä on vikana?' (What's wrong with this?).
Yes, it's one of the most common ways to express concern in Finnish.
The '-na' ending (essive case) means 'in the state of'. So, 'What is [present] in the state of emergency?'.
Frases relacionadas
Ei hätää
contrastNo worries / No emergency
Mikä vaivaa?
similarWhat's bothering you?
Mikä mättää?
slangWhat's the glitch?
Hätäkeskus
builds onEmergency center (112)
