How to use the Finnish words 'edes', 'jopa', 'ainakin' and 'ainakaan'

My 4,5-year-old son says edes a lot, and usually in a place where it doesn't belong to. That's no wonder, because edes can be quite tricky.

• Minulla ei ole edes kahta euroa.  - I don't have even two euros. 
• Minulla on jopa kaksi euroa! - I have as much as two euros!
• Minulla on ainakin kaksi euroa.  - I have at least two euros.
• Minulla ei ainakaan ole kahta euroa. - I definitely don't have two euros.

In a negative sentence, edes is combined with ei and it means not even.

• Mä en edes tunne sitä. - I don't even know him.
• Sillä ei ole edes ajokorttia. - He doesn't even have a driver's licence. 
• Se ei edes tiedä, kuka mä oon. - He doesn't even know who I am. 
• Älä edes kuvittele! - Don't even imagine!

Even is jopa.

• Tämä oli uusi asia jopa minulle. - This was a new thing even for me.
• Jopa puolet suomalaisista ajattelee näin. - As many as half of the Finns think like this.

In an imperative sentence, edes is at least.

• Maista edes vähän. - Taste at least a little bit. 
• Tule edes puoleksi tunniksi. - Come at least for half an hour.

Usually, at least is ainakin or ainakaan.

• Maista ainakin vähän. - Taste at least a little bit, 
• Ostetaan ainakin maitoa ja leipää. - Let's buy at least milk and bread. 
• Olen lähettänyt ainakin kaksikymmentä työhakemusta! - I've sent at least twenty job applications.

In a negative sentence, use ainakaan. The meaning might change a bit depending on the word order.

• Ainakaan minä en tule mukaan. - At least I'm not coming along. 
• Minä en ainakaan tule mukaan! - I'm definitely not coming along!
• Mä en ole nähnyt sitä ainakaan viikkoon. - I haven't seen him at least for a week. 

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. Please read more in www.linktr.ee/hannamannikkolahti and follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.