muutenkin

Muutenkin is a Finnish adverbial particle and discourse marker that expresses emphasis or adds a supplementary or concessive force to a statement. It roughly corresponds to English equivalents such as "anyway," "besides," or "in any case," depending on context. The form is a compound of muuten, meaning “by the way” or “otherwise,” and the particle -kin, which adds emphasis similar to “also” or “too.” The result is a flexible word that can modify a sentence or an element within it.

Usage and function: Muutenkin is most common in informal spoken Finnish and in informal writing. It can appear at the beginning of a clause to introduce a point with extra force, or inside a clause to strengthen a claim. It often signals that the speaker wants to acknowledge an existing point while asserting something additional or contrary to expectations. For example, muutenkin can convey that something is true despite other considerations, or that a statement remains valid in spite of a counterpoint. Typical translations include “anyway,” “besides,” or “in any case.”

Grammatical notes: As a discourse marker, muutenkin does not change the core meaning of the sentence but shifts tone and stance. It is less common in formal writing, where more neutral formulations are preferred. Its use can convey informality, emphasis, or a sense of inevitability.

Examples:

- Se on muutenkin kallis. (It’s anyway/anyhow expensive.)

- Hän on muutenkin myöhässä. (He’s late anyway.)

- Tarvitsen tämän muutenkin. (I need this anyway.)