Signification
To not share secret information.
Contexte culturel
In Finland, silence is not awkward; it's often a sign of comfort. Keeping things 'omana tietonaan' is seen as a virtue of a reliable person. In some Northern communities, traditional knowledge about reindeer or nature is often kept 'omana tietonaan' within a family to protect resources. Finnish companies value flat hierarchies but strict confidentiality. 'Pitää omana tietonaan' is a common phrase in internal memos. There is a growing trend in Finland called 'oversharing' (ylijakaminen), which is the opposite of this phrase. Many older Finns find it strange.
The 'Navel' Variation
If you want to sound like a native speaker who is slightly annoyed, use 'pitää omana napanaan' (keep as one's own navel) to describe someone being stingy with info.
Suffixes Matter
In a formal email, forgetting the possessive suffix (-an, -ni, etc.) will make you look like a beginner. Always double-check them!
Signification
To not share secret information.
The 'Navel' Variation
If you want to sound like a native speaker who is slightly annoyed, use 'pitää omana napanaan' (keep as one's own navel) to describe someone being stingy with info.
Suffixes Matter
In a formal email, forgetting the possessive suffix (-an, -ni, etc.) will make you look like a beginner. Always double-check them!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct possessive suffix for 'minä' (I).
Lupasin pitää salaisuuden omana tietona__.
The suffix for 'minä' is always '-ni'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a friend to keep a secret?
Valitse luonnollisin vaihtoehto:
'Pidä omana tietonasi' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the response to the situation.
Pomo kertoo sinulle luottamuksellista tietoa. Mitä sanot?
This is the professional and correct way to promise confidentiality.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesLupasin pitää salaisuuden omana tietona__.
The suffix for 'minä' is always '-ni'.
Valitse luonnollisin vaihtoehto:
'Pidä omana tietonasi' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Pomo kertoo sinulle luottamuksellista tietoa. Mitä sanot?
This is the professional and correct way to promise confidentiality.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYes, it's perfect! 'Pidetään juhlat omana tietonamme' means 'Let's keep the party a secret between us.'
Not usually. It depends on your tone. If said calmly, it's a standard request for privacy. If snapped, it can mean 'Mind your own business.'
'Salaisuus' is the noun (a secret). 'Pitää omana tietonaan' is the action (to keep as one's own knowledge). You keep a 'salaisuus' 'omana tietonasi'.
Expressions liées
pitää salaisuutena
synonymTo keep as a secret
vaieta kuin muuri
similarTo be silent like a wall
hiiskua
contrastTo breathe a word / to hint
paljastaa
contrastTo reveal
