halusta

Halusta is a Finnish adverb meaning "gladly" or "with pleasure." It is used to express willingness to perform an action in response to a request, invitation, or offer. In everyday speech it can stand alone as a brief positive reply, or be part of a sentence such as “Halusta autan sinua” (I would be glad to help you) or “Halusta tulen mukaan” (I’ll gladly come along). The expression conveys courtesy and a positive, cooperative attitude.

Usage and register: Halusta is relatively neutral and commonly found in both spoken and written Finnish. It is suitable in polite conversation, customer-service interactions, and formal requests, though more casual alternatives like “mielelläni” or simply “kyllä” can also appear depending on context. It can be used on its own as a short affirmation or combined with a verb to specify the action.

Etymology and related terms: Halusta derives from the noun halu, meaning desire or will, with a suffix that forms an adverbial sense of “with desire” or “in a willing manner.” Related expressions include mielelläni (“with pleasure, gladly”), which serves a similar meaning but with a slightly different nuance. Haluta (to want) is the broader verb related to the concept of willingness.

Notes: Halusta emphasizes readiness and positive willingness rather than mere obligation. It is distinct from phrases that indicate mere agreement or understanding and from stronger commitments like “tietenkin” (of course). In translations, halusta is often rendered as “gladly,” “with pleasure,” or “I’d be happy to.”