Meaning
Being sad or overwhelmed.
Cultural Background
Finns often use this phrase to express frustration with bureaucracy or technology. It's a way to vent without being overly aggressive. In Aki Kaurismäki's films, characters rarely cry, but the 'mieli' is often heavy. This phrase captures that 'under-the-surface' emotion perfectly. On platforms like Jodel, 'tekis mieli itkee' is a common reaction to relatable, mildly inconvenient life events. Many 'iskelmä' (traditional pop) songs revolve around the feeling of wanting to cry but staying strong in the rain.
The 'Mieli' Rule
Whenever you use 'mieli' to express a desire, remember the Genitive! Minun, sinun, hänen...
Don't over-conjugate
The verb 'tekee' doesn't change for 'me' or 'you'. It's always 3rd person singular.
Meaning
Being sad or overwhelmed.
The 'Mieli' Rule
Whenever you use 'mieli' to express a desire, remember the Genitive! Minun, sinun, hänen...
Don't over-conjugate
The verb 'tekee' doesn't change for 'me' or 'you'. It's always 3rd person singular.
Spoken Finnish
Use 'tekis mieli' to sound more like a local when talking about current feelings.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Minun ______ mieli itkeä, kun kuulin uutiset. (tehdä, past tense)
The past tense of 'tehdä' in the 3rd person singular is 'teki'.
Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence.
______ tekee mieli itkeä.
The 'tehdä mieli' construction requires the genitive case.
Match the situation to the most likely feeling.
Sait potkut töistä ja ulkona sataa vettä.
Losing a job and bad weather are typical triggers for feeling like crying.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Miksi olet niin hiljainen? B: Tämä kirja on niin surullinen, että minun...
'tekee mieli itkeä' is the most natural idiomatic response here.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMinun ______ mieli itkeä, kun kuulin uutiset. (tehdä, past tense)
The past tense of 'tehdä' in the 3rd person singular is 'teki'.
______ tekee mieli itkeä.
The 'tehdä mieli' construction requires the genitive case.
Sait potkut töistä ja ulkona sataa vettä.
Losing a job and bad weather are typical triggers for feeling like crying.
A: Miksi olet niin hiljainen? B: Tämä kirja on niin surullinen, että minun...
'tekee mieli itkeä' is the most natural idiomatic response here.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but you should add 'onnesta' (from happiness). 'Minun tekee mieli itkeä onnesta.'
Only if you have a very close, trusting relationship. Otherwise, it might be too personal.
'Itkettää' is more like 'tears are coming to my eyes' (physical), while 'tehdä mieli itkeä' is 'I feel an urge to cry' (emotional).
Minun ei tee mieli itkeä.
In this context, yes, but it can also mean 'opinion' or 'mood'.
No, you must use the verb 'itkeä'. 'Itkua' is a noun and doesn't fit here.
Because it's an impersonal construction where the 'mieli' is technically the thing doing the 'making'.
Extremely common. Finnish pop and rock are very emotional.
You can say 'Koiran tekee mieli itkeä', but it's anthropomorphizing the dog.
Use the past tense: 'Minun teki mieli itkeä'.
Related Phrases
tehdä mieli
builds onTo feel like (doing) something
itkettää
similarTo feel like crying / to be moved to tears
paha mieli
similarTo feel bad/sad
itku silmässä
similarOn the verge of tears
