Meaning
To stand by one's view.
Cultural Background
In Finland, 'takinkääntö' (turning the coat) is a serious political insult. Standing by your word is a core part of 'sisu'. Finnish meetings are often direct. If someone says they 'pitävät mielipiteensä', it's a clear signal to move on to the next topic or find a compromise. Finns value 'oma rauha' (own peace). If a debate gets too heated, saying you'll keep your opinion is a polite way to end the talk. Finnish schools encourage critical thinking. Students are taught to form and 'pitää' their own opinions based on facts.
Master the Suffixes
If you master the possessive suffixes (-ni, -si, -nsä), this phrase becomes a powerful tool for sounding like a native speaker.
Don't use -stä
Remember: 'Pidän mielipiteestä' means you like the opinion, not that you are standing by it!
Meaning
To stand by one's view.
Master the Suffixes
If you master the possessive suffixes (-ni, -si, -nsä), this phrase becomes a powerful tool for sounding like a native speaker.
Don't use -stä
Remember: 'Pidän mielipiteestä' means you like the opinion, not that you are standing by it!
Sisu and Opinions
Standing by your view is seen as a sign of 'sisu' (grit) in Finland, but don't be afraid to be flexible in team settings.
Test Yourself
Täytä puuttuva possessiivisuffiksi (Fill in the missing possessive suffix).
Minä pidän mielipitee___.
The subject is 'Minä' (I), so the suffix must be '-ni'.
Mikä lause on oikein? (Which sentence is correct?)
Hän ei muuttanut mieltään vaan...
'Pitää mielipiteensä' is the correct collocation for standing by a view.
Yhdistä tilanne ja oikea reaktio. (Match the situation and the correct reaction.)
Tilanne: Kaikki työkaverit haluavat uuden kahvinkeittimen, mutta sinun mielestäsi vanha on parempi.
This correctly uses the phrase to express a minority view.
Täydennä dialogi. (Complete the dialogue.)
A: 'Oletko varma tästä?' B: 'Olen, ______.'
B is confirming their stance.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMinä pidän mielipitee___.
The subject is 'Minä' (I), so the suffix must be '-ni'.
Hän ei muuttanut mieltään vaan...
'Pitää mielipiteensä' is the correct collocation for standing by a view.
Tilanne: Kaikki työkaverit haluavat uuden kahvinkeittimen, mutta sinun mielestäsi vanha on parempi.
This correctly uses the phrase to express a minority view.
A: 'Oletko varma tästä?' B: 'Olen, ______.'
B is confirming their stance.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It depends on your tone. It can be very professional and firm.
Yes, it's common to use it playfully for preferences.
'Pitää päänsä' is more about being stubborn, while 'pitää mielipiteensä' is more about the opinion itself.
Use 'piti': 'Minä pidin mielipiteeni.'
Yes, in this context, the possessive suffix is grammatically required.
Yes, it is very common in newspapers and literature.
Yes, that is also a valid and common way to say 'I stand behind my opinion'.
Yes, it's a core phrase for intermediate learners to express complex social interactions.
Use 'Me pidämme mielipiteemme'.
It implies you *believe* you are right, regardless of the actual facts.
Related Phrases
pysyä kannassaan
synonymTo stay in one's position.
pitää päänsä
similarTo keep one's head (be stubborn).
muuttaa mielensä
contrastTo change one's mind.
seisoa sanojensa takana
builds onTo stand behind one's words.
