aivan

Finnish

Etymology

An instructive singular (compare ihan) of a root aiva-, probably borrowed from Proto-Indo-Iranian *Háywas, or alternatively from Proto-Germanic *aiwaz (“long time”). Cognate with Votic aivaa (“always”) and Estonian aiva (“always”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯ʋɑn/, [ˈɑi̯ʋɑn]
• Rhymes: -ɑiʋɑn
• Syllabification: ai‧van

Adverb

aivan

1. exactly, precisely

   aivan oikein ― precisely right

2. totally, very

   aivan väärin ― totally wrong

3. indeed

   aivan! ― indeed!

Synonyms

• ihan

See also

• kauan

Anagrams

• aavin, avain, ivaan, ivana, naiva, vaani

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Ingrian

Etymology

Borrowed from Indo-European language. Cognates include Finnish aivan and Estonian aiva.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈai̯van/

Adverb

aivan

1. completely
2. very
3. literally

References

• Ruben E. Nirvi, Inkeroismurteiden Sanakirja, Helsinki: Suomalais-Ugrilainen Seura, 1971, page 7
• Vitalij Chernyavskij, Ižoran keel (Ittseopastaja)‎^[1], 2005, page 210