Signification
Remaining focused.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a key linguistic marker of 'Sisu'. Finns value actions over words, and 'holding onto a goal' is seen as a fundamental character trait of a reliable person. In Nordic corporate culture, flat hierarchies mean that individual commitment to shared goals is vital. This phrase is used to build consensus and collective responsibility. From a young age, Finnish students are encouraged to be self-directed. Teachers use this phrase to help students develop long-term planning skills. Finland has a strong tradition in endurance sports (like cross-country skiing). This phrase is the unofficial motto for athletes training in the dark, cold winter.
Use with 'tiukasti'
Add the word 'tiukasti' (tightly) before 'kiinni' to show extreme determination: 'Pidän tiukasti kiinni tavoitteestani.'
Case Sensitivity
Never forget the -sta ending. Saying 'pitää kiinni tavoite' sounds like you are physically holding a person named Tavoite.
Signification
Remaining focused.
Use with 'tiukasti'
Add the word 'tiukasti' (tightly) before 'kiinni' to show extreme determination: 'Pidän tiukasti kiinni tavoitteestani.'
Case Sensitivity
Never forget the -sta ending. Saying 'pitää kiinni tavoite' sounds like you are physically holding a person named Tavoite.
Sisu Connection
Using this phrase in a job interview in Finland will immediately signal that you have 'Sisu' and are a reliable worker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct case ending for 'tavoite'.
Meidän täytyy pitää kiinni ______.
The expression 'pitää kiinni' always requires the elative case (-sta).
Which sentence is the most natural way to encourage a friend?
Your friend is struggling with a diet. What do you say?
This is the standard idiomatic way to offer encouragement regarding a goal.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
Pomo: 'Projekti on myöhässä.' Työntekijä: 'Tiedän, mutta me ______.'
The subject is 'me' (we), so the verb must be 'pidämme'.
Match the phrase variation to the correct register.
1. 'Pidetään kiinni tavoitteesta.' 2. 'Organisaation on sitouduttava tavoitteeseen.' 3. 'Mä aion pysyä tässä mun jutussa.'
'Pidetään kiinni' is neutral, 'sitoutua' is formal, and 'mun juttu' is informal slang.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Holding vs. Reaching
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMeidän täytyy pitää kiinni ______.
The expression 'pitää kiinni' always requires the elative case (-sta).
Your friend is struggling with a diet. What do you say?
This is the standard idiomatic way to offer encouragement regarding a goal.
Pomo: 'Projekti on myöhässä.' Työntekijä: 'Tiedän, mutta me ______.'
The subject is 'me' (we), so the verb must be 'pidämme'.
1. 'Pidetään kiinni tavoitteesta.' 2. 'Organisaation on sitouduttava tavoitteeseen.' 3. 'Mä aion pysyä tässä mun jutussa.'
'Pidetään kiinni' is neutral, 'sitoutua' is formal, and 'mun juttu' is informal slang.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, 'pitää kiinni tavoitteesta' is for goals. To hold a person, you say 'pitää kiinni [henkilöstä]'.
'Tavoitteesta' is one goal, 'tavoitteista' is multiple goals. Both are correct depending on context.
Not at all. It's used in all registers, though the surrounding words might change.
'Tavoite' is a specific target (like a sales number), 'päämäärä' is a broader destination or life purpose.
Yes! 'To hold onto a dream' is a very common and beautiful variation.
In this context, it means 'fastened' or 'attached', like a grip that won't open.
You can say: 'En pystynyt pitämään kiinni tavoitteestani.'
You can just say 'Pysyä tavoitteessa', but it's less emphatic.
Yes: 'Pidimme kiinni tavoitteesta.' (We stuck to the goal.)
Then you 'muutat tavoitetta' (change the goal) instead of holding onto it.
Yes, they share the root 'kiinni', implying your attention is 'fastened' to something.
Yes, 'Tavoitteesta pidettiin kiinni' means 'The goal was stuck to.'
Expressions liées
pysyä suunnitelmassa
similarTo stay with the plan
saavuttaa tavoite
builds onTo reach the goal
luovuttaa
contrastTo give up
tavoitella kuuta taivaalta
specialized formTo reach for the moon
pitää sanansa
similarTo keep one's word
