mukaan

Mukaan is a Finnish word that functions as a postposition and, in some contexts, as an adverb. It marks a relation to another element and has several related meanings. The core senses are to indicate accordance or conformity, and to express inclusion, accompaniment, or participation.

One common use is to mean according to or in light of something. In phrases such as sen mukaan or tämän mukaan, mukaan signals that a statement is based on a source or standard. For example, “Päätös tehtiin sen mukaan” translates as “The decision was made according to that.”

Another core use is inclusion. The fixed expression mukaan lukien means “including” and is used when listing items or setting prices. For instance, “Hinnat ovat 100 euroa mukaan lukien” means “Prices are 100 euros including.”

Mukaan also appears in verbs and constructions that express accompaniment or joining in an activity. With verbs like mennä mukaan or ottaa mukaan, it indicates participation or being taken along. Examples: “Olen menossa mukaan projektiin” (I’m joining the project) and “Hänet otettiin mukaan matkaan” (He was taken along on the trip). In existing phrases such as “hän on mukana” or “hän on mukana projektissa,” mukaan signals involvement or presence in a project or event.

Notes on nuance: mukaan often conveys relational or participatory sense rather than physical location alone; nearby synonym mukaan lukien focuses on inclusion, while mukaan in verbal phrases emphasizes joining or involvement. Overall, mukaan is a versatile word widely used in formal and informal Finnish.