Tervehdin

Tervehdin is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Finnish verb tervehtiä, meaning to greet or to bid someone well. It expresses the act of greeting someone directly or, in a broader sense, of sending regards. The form reflects a polite, cordial action common in everyday speech and writing in Finnish.

In present tense, the full conjugation is: minä tervehdin, sinä tervehdit, hän tervehtii, me tervehdimme, te tervehditte, he tervehtivät. The verb is commonly used in sentences such as “Minä tervehdin sinua” (I greet you) or “Hän tervehtii meitä” (He greets us). It denotes an intentional act of greeting in the moment of speech and can be extended to greeting multiple people or groups.

Etymologically, tervehtiä derives from the root idea of health and well-being; greetings historically center on wishes for good health or positive regard. The related noun tervehdys refers to a greeting or salutation, and the word family is widely attested in Finnish through different forms and compounds, reflecting social norms surrounding politeness and communication.

Usage notes emphasize that tervehdin and its forms are ordinary, neutral terms suitable for everyday dialogue, correspondence, and narrative. In formal writing, Finnish often prefers other closing conventions, such as terveisin, rather than the imperative or declarative use of tervehdin as a standalone closing. Nonetheless, tervehdin remains a common, clear way to state that one is greeting someone or acknowledging their presence.

See also: tervehtiä, tervehdys.