Kiitust

Kiitust is a Finnish term related to the concept of praise or gratitude. In everyday Finnish, kiitos is the common word for thanks, while kiitust appears infrequently and is mainly encountered in literary, ceremonial, or linguistic contexts. Some dictionaries and grammars describe kiitust as a derivative or inflected form connected to kiitos, used to express a sense of praise or sincere appreciation in formal speech.

Etymology and scope: Kiitust is linked to the broader semantic field surrounding gratitude and praise in Finnish. It sits alongside related terms such as kiitollisuus (gratitude) and ylistys (praise). While kiitos is widespread in contemporary usage, kiitust is rarely used outside specialized registers, historical texts, or stylistic writing.

Usage: In modern spoken Finnish, kiitust is not a common everyday term. It may appear in older literature, poetry, or ceremonial language where elevated diction is desired. For everyday communication, speakers typically use kiitos, kiitollisuus, or verbs and phrases such as kiittää (to thank) or kiitän (I thank).

Cultural context: Gratitude and praise are important in Finnish communication, but formality and register influence word choice. Kiitust represents one of several terms that can express evaluative appreciation in more formal or literary contexts.

See also: kiitos, kiitollisuus, ylistys, kiittäminen.