Naimisiin

Naimisiin is a Finnish adverbial form used in the fixed expression mennä naimisiin, meaning to get married or to wed. The term denotes entering into the state of marriage and functions as a complement to the verb mennä (to go). It is widely used across informal speech, media, and formal writing when describing marriage events.

Usage and grammar

The expression mennä naimisiin is typically conjugated with the auxiliary and main verbs as appropriate, for example: Hän meni naimisiin viime vuonna (He got married last year) or He ovat menneet naimisiin (They have gotten married). Naimisiin is generally not flexed on its own in ordinary sentences; it acts as a fixed complement to mennä. The noun form naimisiinmeno is also used to refer to the act or process of getting married.

Related terms and concepts

Related vocabulary includes morsian (bride), sulhanen/sulhas (groom), vihkiminen (the wedding ceremony, civil or religious), hääjuhla (wedding celebration), and avioero (divorce). The concept of marriage in Finnish culture involves both legal and ceremonial aspects, with civil or religious rites depending on the couple’s preferences.

Etymology and usage notes

Naimisiin derives from traditional Finnish expressions describing marriage and is most commonly encountered in the idiomatic phrase mennä naimisiin. It is a neutral, standard term suitable for general reference, news reporting, and everyday conversation about marriages.