Meaning
To see family members.
Cultural Background
Visiting relatives often involves 'tuliaiset' (small gifts), usually chocolate (Fazer Blue) or flowers. It's considered polite to bring something small. In the Savo region, people might use more roundabout ways to say they are visiting, often with a humorous or self-deprecating tone. Urban Finns often use this phrase to describe their 'escape' to the countryside during summer weekends. The Swedish-speaking minority (suomenruotsalaiset) has a very strong tradition of large family gatherings, often called 'släktträff'.
The 'Oon' Shortcut
In spoken Finnish, almost everyone says 'Oon menos...' instead of 'Olen menossa...'. Use this to sound like a local.
Don't forget the 'MAAN'
The most common error is forgetting the 3rd infinitive. It's always 'tapaamaan', never 'tavata' in this phrase.
Meaning
To see family members.
The 'Oon' Shortcut
In spoken Finnish, almost everyone says 'Oon menos...' instead of 'Olen menossa...'. Use this to sound like a local.
Don't forget the 'MAAN'
The most common error is forgetting the 3rd infinitive. It's always 'tapaamaan', never 'tavata' in this phrase.
Coffee is Mandatory
If you say you are going to see relatives, people assume you will be drinking a lot of coffee. It's a cultural synonym for the visit.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing part of the phrase in the correct form.
Minä olen _________ tapaamaan sukulaisia. (mennä)
The structure 'olla menossa' requires the inessive form of the noun 'meno'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
You need the 3rd infinitive 'tapaamaan' and the partitive plural 'sukulaisia'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Mitä teet huomenna? B: ________________________ Tampereelle.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to express the plan.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
When would you say 'Oon menossa moikkaa sukua'?
'Oon' and 'moikkaa' are informal/spoken forms suitable for friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMinä olen _________ tapaamaan sukulaisia. (mennä)
The structure 'olla menossa' requires the inessive form of the noun 'meno'.
Choose the correct sentence:
You need the 3rd infinitive 'tapaamaan' and the partitive plural 'sukulaisia'.
A: Mitä teet huomenna? B: ________________________ Tampereelle.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to express the plan.
When would you say 'Oon menossa moikkaa sukua'?
'Oon' and 'moikkaa' are informal/spoken forms suitable for friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it's perfectly correct and common. 'Tapaamaan' implies a more active meeting, while 'näkemään' is just 'seeing'.
Because 'tavata' is a partitive verb in this context. You are meeting an indefinite amount of family.
No, it's neutral. You can use it with anyone.
Then you say 'Olen menossa tapaamaan sukulaista' (singular partitive) or name them: 'tapaamaan tätiäni'.
Use the past tense of 'olla': 'Olin menossa tapaamaan sukulaisia'.
No, use 'kavereita' or 'ystäviä' instead of 'sukulaisia'.
It's the noun 'meno' (going/movement) in the inessive case (-ssa), meaning 'in the state of going'.
Yes, 'Olen sukuloimassa' is a very common one-word alternative for the whole activity.
Yes, 'menossa' needs the auxiliary verb 'olla' to function as 'to be going'.
Yes, it is a standard Finnish expression used nationwide.
Related Phrases
käydä kylässä
similarTo visit someone's home
sukuloimassa
synonymEngaged in visiting relatives
perhetapaaminen
builds onA family meeting/reunion
suku on pahin
contrastFamily is the worst
