terve

Terve is a Finnish word with two principal uses. As an adjective, it means healthy or in good health and can describe people, animals, or things in a good condition. Examples include “terve ihminen” (a healthy person) and “terve ruokavalio” (a healthy diet). It can also describe the state or condition of something, such as “terve talo” (a sound house) or “terve ja vahva” (healthy and strong). The word is the basis for related terms like “terveys” (health) and “terveellinen” (healthy, wholesome).

As an interjection, terve is used informally as a greeting, similar to “hi” or “hello” in English. It can stand alone as “Terve!” or be part of a greeting like “Terve, miten voit?” It is common in casual speech among friends and colleagues, but less appropriate in formal contexts where greetings such as “hei” or “tervehdys” are preferred.

Etymology and related terms: The word originates from a Finnic root meaning “whole” or “uninjured” and underlies the broader concept of health expressed by “terveys.” Related forms include “terveellinen” (healthy, wholesome) and the noun “terveys” (health).

Grammar: Like other Finnish adjectives, terve agrees with the noun in number and case (for example, “terve mies” vs. “terveitä miehiä”). The comparative form is “terveempi” (healthier). In practice, the word covers both physical health and general well-being, and also appears in various compound terms related to health and vitality.