hyvin

Hyvin is a Finnish adverb meaning “well,” “properly,” or “in a good manner.” It is used to describe the manner in which an action is performed or the degree of a quality expressed by an adjective or another adverb. In sentences, hyvin typically precedes the word it modifies and functions as an invariable modifier.

Common uses include modifying verbs to indicate quality of action, as in hyVV? No; examples: Hyvin toimii tämä kone. (This machine works well.) It can also modify adjectives or participles to express a high degree, such as hyvin tärkeä (very important) or hyvin tehty (well done). The phrase hyvin nopeasti is often used to mean “very quickly,” showing hyv in combination with an adverb to intensify the meaning.

Hyvin can serve as a general intensifier, equivalent to “quite” or “very” in English, depending on context. It forms common collocations with words like paljon (much), usein (often), and tärkeä (important), for example hyvin paljon (a lot), hyvin usein (very often), hyvin tärkeä (very important). In everyday Finnish, hyvin is one of the most frequent adverbs and appears in formal and casual registers alike.

Etymology and grammar: Hyvin derives from the Finnish adjective hyvä, meaning “good.” As an adverb, hyvin is invariable and does not inflect for person, number, or case. It interacts with other degree expressions and can be part of larger phrases that convey emphasis or quality.

See also: Finnish grammar, Adverbs in Finnish, Language use in Finnish.