siitähän

Siitähän is a Finnish grammatical construction that translates roughly to "that's why," "that's from which," or "that's what." It is formed by combining the demonstrative pronoun "se" (that) with the postposition "itse" (self/itself) and the partitive case ending "-hän." The addition of the particle "hän" adds an element of emphasis, mild surprise, or a sense of stating a well-known or obvious fact.

The precise meaning of siitähän can vary depending on context. It is often used to explain a reason or cause, similar to "that's why" in English. For example, if someone is cold, one might say, "Siitähän sinä palelet" which means "That's why you're cold." It can also indicate the origin or source of something, akin to "that's from where" or "that's what it's from." For instance, "Siitähän se maku tulee" translates to "That's where the flavor comes from."

Furthermore, siitähän can be used to confirm or acknowledge something, often with an implied understanding. It suggests that the preceding statement or situation is the explanation for something else. The particle "hän" imbues the phrase with a certain intonation, making it sound more conversational and less formal than a direct, unadorned explanation. Understanding siitähän requires paying attention to the surrounding sentences to grasp the intended nuance.