KYLLÄ

Kyllä is the standard Finnish affirmative word meaning "yes." It functions as an answer to questions, to express agreement or willingness, and can also serve as a general interjection to acknowledge something in conversation.

In everyday speech, kyllä is typically used in response to yes/no questions, as in "Haluatko kahvia?" "Kyllä, kiitos." It can also be used to emphasize or confirm something, for example in phrases like "Kyllä, todellakin" or "Kyllä vain," where it strengthens the affirmation or signals acceptance.

Kyllähän is an emphatic form of kyllä that adds nuance, often signaling reassurance, concession, or a subtle contrast. It is common in both spoken and written Finnish. There are also related forms such as kylläkin, which express a counterpoint or qualification, e.g., "Kylläkin, mutta..." The use of these variants can adjust tone from neutral to strongly affirmative.

Pronunciation and usage notes: kyllä is a native Finnish word and is widely used across registers. It is considered neutral to polite; in casual speech speakers may opt for informal alternatives such as joo, jaa, or yeah in borrowings, but kyllä remains standard in formal or written language.

Etymology and cognates: The exact origin of kyllä is not clearly established, but it is a long-standing part of the Finnish language and lacks a direct cognate in most neighboring Finnic languages. It functions as the primary affirmative particle in Finnish.