minästään

Minästään is a Finnish euphemism used to avoid discussing sensitive or private matters. The phrase, which translates to "from themselves" or "by them," is often used to indicate that information is not publicly known or that the topic is best left unmentioned.

In Finnish culture, minästään is frequently employed to convey that something is personal and not for public discussion. For instance, a person might say "heiltä ei tiedä" (they don't know it) or "sitä ei voi sanoa" (it cannot be said) to avoid specifying a particular individual's involvement or opinion.

This expression is thought to originate from the Finnish verb "säädosten," which means "to cause" or "to keep something to oneself." By using minästään, individuals can tactfully sidestep sensitive topics or protect others' personal information without directly lying or withholding information.

Minästään is often employed in everyday conversations and in formal contexts, such as news reporting or work-related discussions. It is not solely used to avoid speaking negatively, although that can be one reason for using the phrase. Instead, it serves as a politeness mechanism to maintain privacy and respect individuals' boundaries.

In summary, minästään is a nuanced and culturally significant concept in Finnish communication, enabling speakers to avoid disclosure of sensitive or private information while still maintaining social decorum. Its use demonstrates an awareness of the importance of respecting others' privacy and confidentiality.