How to use the Finnish words 'mukana' ja 'mukaan'

These two words can both be translated as with or along.

Mukana

Mukana is often used with minulla on construction and with verbs that don't express direction.

• Onhan sinulla varmasti passi mukana? - Are you sure you have your passport along?
• Mitä ihmettä sinulla on mukana? - What on earth do you have with you? (ihme = wonder, miracle)
• Oletteko tässä mukana vai ette? - Are you in with this or not?
• Älä mene niin lujaa, minä en pysy mukana! - Don't go so fast, I cannot keep up with you!
• Laula vain muiden mukana. - Just go ahead and sing along with the others.

Mukaan

Mukaan is often used with verbs tulla and ottaa.  As you can see from the illative ending (long vowel + n), there's the idea of to somewhere.

• Tulkaa mukaan ensi kerralla! - Come along the next time!
• Minä en ota mitään muuta mukaan kuin kännykän ja lompakon. - I'm not going to take anything else with me but my phone and my wallet.
• Otatko minut mukaan seuraavalla kerralla, kun menet teatteriin? - Will you take me along next time you're going to theatre?
• Eihän haittaa, että otin meidän kissat mukaan? - I hope it doesn't bother that I took our cats along.

In written language, add the possessive suffixes:

• Muista ottaa mukaasi tarpeeksi vessapaperia. - Remember to take along enough toilet paper.
• Miksi teillä on aina mukananne tuo iso matkalaukku? - Why do you always have that big suitcase with you?

Mukaan can also mean according to somebody or something, and mukana can also be involved in.

• Mun siskon mukaan tämä on tosi hyvä kirja. - According to my sister, this is a really good book.
• Keitetään lisää kahvia tarpeen mukaan. - Let's make more coffee if needed
• Älä vain sano, että sinäkin olet mukana tässä jutussa! - Please don't say that you are also involved in this case!
• Haluaisin olla mukana tämän yhdistyksen toiminnassa - I'd like to be involved in this association.

Kanssa

The difference between mukana and kanssa? I'd say that kanssa is being or doing something with somebody in a more active way, and mukana is more like being there, but observing or tagging along.

• Tulin tänne Elinan kanssa. - I came here with Elina.
• Tulin tänne Elinan mukana. - I came here with Elina. (She's the one who has something going on in here, I just came along because she was so kind and took me with her.) Terveisiä Elinalle! :)

Related posts:

• How to say "with" in Finnish

About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 

My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.  If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can do it here.