What’s your relationship with the clock like? Does it run your day from a morning alarm to a cut-off chime for bed, or are you more of a go-with-the-flow type, letting your mood and emotions decide how much you fall in line with time?

Understanding time in Finnish is an important part of your studies. As humans, our lives are filled with habits and schedules. From waking up and going to work or gym, to missing rush hour traffic on our way home, we’re always aware of time. We have routines around coffee breaks, meetings, soccer games and vacations. In fact, time can seem rather capricious – going slowly, going fast, sometimes against us, other times on our side – like a force that has a life of its own.

In science, time is often referred to as a fourth dimension and many physicists and philosophers think that if we understood the physics of the universe, we would see that time is an illusion. We sense an ‘arrow’ or direction of time because we have memories, but really time is just a construct that humans have created to help make sense of the world. 

On the other hand, poets through the ages have written impassioned thoughts about time, depicting it as both a relentless thief and an immensely precious resource, not to be wasted at any cost.

Well, poets and scientists may have their views, but in our everyday lives there’s the question of practicality, isn’t there? I mean, if you have plans and want things to happen your way, there’s a certain amount of conforming to the human rules of time that you can’t avoid. 

In ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the prince has a rose that he falls in love with, and he tenderly protects it with a windscreen and places it under a glass dome on his tiny planet.  I love this quote from the book:  “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”  If we truly love something, we spend time with it and not a second of that time could ever be seen as wasted. I feel that way about horses, my children, travel and learning languages. 

With that in mind, I’d like to take you on a journey into ‘time’ from a Finnish perspective. It’s fun, it’s informative and it’s a basic necessity if you’re learning the language – especially if you plan to travel. FinnishPod101 has all the vocab you need to fall in love with telling time in Finnish, and not a minute will be wasted.

Table of Contents

1. Talking about Time in Finnish
2. How to Tell the Time in Finnish
3. Conclusion

1. Talking about Time in Finnish

As a traveler, your primary need for knowing how to read the hour in Finnish will be for transportation schedules: the bus, train, airplane, ferry, taxi… whatever you plan to use to get from A to B, it won’t wait for you! Fortunately, it’s really not complicated. You already have a firm grasp of time in English and you know you’ll need to reset your watch and phone to the local time. Great – that means you’ll have the correct time on your person. 

We’re so used to just looking at our phones for the time, that it’s easy to take this convenience for granted and forget some travel basics: in a foreign country, times won’t always be written digitally. If you see the time written in words, it’ll be the same challenge to you as hearing it spoken: you’ll need to be familiar with the language. 

You may be surprised at how often ‘time’ comes into conversation. Learning the Finnish terms for time will help you when you have to call a taxi, ask about opening and closing times of events and tourist attractions, restaurants and bars and even late-night food cafes.

My biggest annoyance when traveling is not being able to get coffee and amazingly, even at nice hotels this has happened more times than I care to think about. I’ll be up late planning something, writing my blog or chatting and when I go looking for coffee downstairs, I’m told the kitchen is closed or the ‘coffee lady’ has gone to sleep. Frustrating!

If you’re doing a homestay or at a youth hostel or backpackers, there will probably also be a limited timeframe for when you can grab dinner. Do you know how to ask when it’s time to eat in Finnish? I’ve learned that it’s vital to know how to make my queries clearly understood to accommodation staff and for me to clearly understand their answers. Perfect your ‘time in Finnish’ translations early on – you’ll thank me. 

At FinnishPod101, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of Finnish time words and phrases to get you going. 

1- Morning – aamu

Morning is the time when we wake up from our dreamworld, hopefully fully rested and restored; we brew the first delicious cup of coffee for the day and watch the sunrise as we prepare for another glorious twelve hours of life. No matter what happened the day before, a new morning is a chance to make everything right. 

I like these quiet hours for language practice, as my mind is clear and receptive to learning new things. I start by writing the Finnish time, date and word of the day on my whiteboard, then get back under the covers for an engrossing lesson.

Time in the morning is written as AM or A.M., which stands for ante meridiem – meaning ‘before midday’ in Latin.

2- Evening – ilta

Evening is the part of night when we’re still awake and doing things, winding down from the day. Whether you enjoy a tasty international dinner with friends, go out to see a show, or curl up on the couch with a Finnish snack and your favorite TV series, evening is a good time to forget your worries and do something that relaxes you. If you’re checking in with your Facebook friends, say hi to us, too!  

Evening is also an ideal time to catch up on your Finnish studies. The neighbourhood outside is likely to be quieter and time is yours, so grab a glass of wine or a delicious local tea, and see what’s new on your Mac App or Kindle. 

3- Daytime – päiväsaika

Daytime is defined as the period from early morning to early evening when the sun is visible outside. In other words: from sunrise to sunset.  Where you are in the world, as well as the season, will determine how many daylight hours you get. 

Interestingly, in locations north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle, in summertime the sun does not sink below the horizon within a 24-hour period, bringing the natural phenomenon of the midnight sun.  You could only experience this in the north, though, because there aren’t any permanent human settlements south of the Antarctic Circle.

4- Nighttime – yö

Nighttime is all the hours from sunset to sunrise and depending on where in the country you are, people may be partying all night, or asleep from full-dark. 

In the same northernmost and southernmost regions where you can experience a midnight sun, winter brings the opposite phenomenon: the polar night. Can you imagine a night that lasts for more than 24 hours? 

5- Hour – tunti

An hour is a unit of time made up of 60 minutes and is a variable measure of one-24th of a day – also defined by geeks as 3 600 atomic seconds. Of all the ‘time’ words we use on a daily basis, the hour is the most important, as time of day is typically expressed in terms of hours. 

One of the interesting methods of keeping time that people have come up with is the hourglass. Although the origins are unclear, there’s evidence pointing to the hourglass being invented around 1000 – 1100 AD and one of the ways we know this, is from hourglasses being depicted in very old murals. These days, with clocks and watches in every direction we look, they’re really only used symbolically to represent the passage of time. Still – a powerful reminder of our mortality and to seize the day. In his private journal, the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, wrote: “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”

6- Minute – minuutti

Use this word when you want to say a more precise time and express minutes in Finnish. A minute is a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of an hour, or 60 seconds. A lot can happen in the next 60 seconds. For example, your blood will circulate three times through your entire vascular system and your heart will pump about 2.273 litres of blood. 

7- O’clock – kello

We use “o’clock” when there are no minutes and we’re saying the exact hour, as in “It’s two o’clock.”

The term “o’clock” is a contraction of the term “of the clock”. It comes from 15th-century references to medieval mechanical clocks. At the time, sundials were also common timekeepers. Therefore, to make clear one was referencing a clock’s time, they would say something like, “It is six of the clock” – now shortened to “six o’clock”.

We only use this term when talking about the 12 hour clock, though, not the 24 hour clock (more on that later!) The 12-hour clock can be traced back as far as Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Both an Egyptian sundial for daytime use and an Egyptian water clock for nighttime use were found in the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep I. Dating to c.1500 BC, these clocks divided their respective times of use into 12 hours each. The Romans also used a 12-hour clock. Daylight was divided into 12 equal hours and the night was divided into four watches. 

These days, the internet has made it very easy to know what the time is in any part of the world.  Speaking of which, why not add the Finnish time zone clock to your laptop?

8- Half past – puoli

When the time is thirty minutes past the hour, in English we say “half past”. Just like the hour, the half-hour is universally used as an orientation point; some languages speak of 30 minutes before the hour (subtraction), whereas others speak of 30 minutes after the hour (addition). 

9- AM – aamulla

As mentioned earlier, AM is the abbreviation of the Latin ante meridiem and means before midday. Using ‘AM’ as a tag on your time simply tells people you’re speaking about a time in the morning. In some countries, morning is abbreviated to “AM” and you’ll see this on shop signs everywhere, announcing the opening hour. A typical shop sign might read something like this:

“Business hours are from 7AM to 6PM.” 

10- PM – iltapäivällä

PM is the abbreviation of the Latin post meridiem and means after midday. Along with ‘AM’, you’ll usually find ‘PM’ on store signs and businesses, indicating the closing hours. It’s advisable to learn the difference between the two, since some establishments might only have one or the other on the sign. For example, a night club sign might say: 

“Open from 10 PM until late.” 

11- What time is it now? – Paljonko kello on nyt?

Here’s a very handy question you should memorize, as you can use it in any situation where you don’t have your watch or phone on you. This could be on the beach, in a club, or if you’re stuck anywhere with a flat phone battery. It happens at home, so it can happen when you’re traveling! 

12- One o’clock – kello yksi

One o’clock, or 1 PM, is the average lunch time for many people around the world – at least, we try to get a meal in at some point between midday and 2 PM.  In terms of duration, the nations vary: Brazililans reportedly take the longest lunch breaks, averaging 48 minutes, whereas Greece reports an average break of only 19 minutes. Historically, Greeks were known for their very leisurely lunch breaks, so it just goes to show how fast the world is changing. If you’re curious about what to expect in Finland, try asking our online community about lunch time in Finnish.

13- Two o’clock – kello kaksi

In his last days, Napoleon Bonaparte famously spoke of “Two o’clock in the morning courage” – meaning unprepared, spontaneous  courage. He was talking about soldiers who are brave enough to tumble out of bed in an instant, straight into action, without time to think or strategize. Do you think you have what it takes? I’m pretty sure all mothers know this feeling!

14- Three o’clock – kello kolme

3 AM can be perceived as the coldest time of day and is not an hour we want to wake up, but meteorologists will tell you that the coldest time is actually half an hour after sunrise. Even though the sun is peeking over the horizon, the solar radiation is still weaker than the earth’s infrared cooling to space.

15- Four o’clock – kello neljä

Do you know anyone who purposely gets up at 4 o’clock in the morning? As crazy as it sounds, there is something to be said for rising at 4 AM while the rest of the world sleeps. If you live on a farm, it might even be normal for you. I know that whenever I’m staying in the countryside, rising early is a lot easier, because there’s a satisfying reason to do so: watching a sunrise from a rooftop, with uninterrupted views, can’t be beat! It’s also likely that you’ll be woken by a cock crowing, or other animals waking to graze in the fresh pre-dawn air. 

In the world of business, you’ll find a small group of ambitious individuals – many entrepreneurs – who swear by the 4 o’clock in the morning rise. I’m not sure I like that idea, but I’d wake up at 4 AM if it was summer and I had my car packed for a vacation!

16- Five o’clock – kello viisi

What better way to signal the transition between work and play than the clock hands striking 5 o’clock? It’s the hour most working people look forward to each day – at least, those who get to stop working at 5 PM.  Meanwhile, millions of retired folks are taking out the wine glasses, as 5 PM is widely accepted as an appropriate time to pour the first glass. I don’t know how traditional your families are, but for as long as I’ve been alive, my grandparents have counted down the milliseconds to five o’clock, and the hour is announced with glee.

17- Six o’clock – kello kuusi

This is the time many working people and school kids wake up in the morning. In many parts of the world, 6 o’clock is also a good time to watch the sunrise, go for a run or hit the hiking trails. 

18- Seven o’clock – kello seitsemän

Health gurus will tell you that 7 o’clock in the morning is the best time to eat your first meal of the day, and 7 o’clock in the evening is the time you should eat your last meal. I’ve tried that and I agree, but it’s not always easy!

19- Eight o’clock – kello kahdeksan

8 o’clock in the morning is the time that most businesses open around the world, and the time most kids are in their first lesson at school – still full of energy and willing to participate. Interestingly, it’s also the time most babies are born in the world!  In the evening, 8 o’clock is many young children’s bedtime and the time for parents to watch the evening news. 

20- Nine o’clock – kello yhdeksän

It’s good to occasionally sleep late on a weekend and for me, this means waking up at 9 AM. If you’re traveling in Finland and staying at a hotel, planning to sleep late means politely requesting to not be woken up by room service.

21- Ten o’clock – kello kymmenen

10 o’clock in the morning is a popular time to conduct business meetings, and for first break time at schools. We’re usually wide awake and well into our day by then.  But what about the same hour at night? Modern people are often still awake and watching TV at 10 PM, but this isn’t exactly good for us. Experts say that the deepest and most regenerative sleep occurs between 10 PM and 2 AM, so we should already be sound asleep by ten o’clock. 

In advertising, have you ever noticed that the hands of the clock usually point to 10:10? Have a look next time you see a watch on a billboard or magazine. The reason? Aesthetics. Somehow, the human brain finds the symmetry pleasing. When the clock hands are at ten and two, they create a ‘smiley’ face and don’t cover any key details, like a logo, on the clock face. 

22- Eleven o’clock – kello yksitoista

When I see this time written in words, it makes me think of the hilarious Academy Award-winning very short film, “The Eleven O’Clock”, in which the delusional patient of a psychiatrist believes that he is actually the doctor. 

Then there’s the tradition of ‘elevenses’ – tea time at eleven o’clock in the morning. Strongly ingrained in British culture, elevenses is typically a serving of hot tea or coffee with scones or pastries on the side. It’s a great way to stave off hunger pangs before lunch time arrives. In fact, if you were a hobbit, ‘Elevenses’ would be your third meal of the day!

23- Twelve o’clock – kello kaksitoista

Twelve o’clock in the daytime is considered midday, when the sun is at its zenith and the temperature reaches its highest for that day; it’s written as 12 noon or 12 PM. In most parts of the world, though, this doesn’t happen at precisely 12 PM. ‘Solar noon’ is the time when the sun is actually at its highest point in the sky. The local or clock time of solar noon depends on the longitude and date. If it’s summertime, it’s advisable to stay in the shade during this hour – or at least wear good quality sunblock.

Midnight is the other ‘twelve o’clock’, of course. Midnight is written as 12 AM and is technically the first minute of the morning. On the 24-hour clock, midnight is written as 00:00. 

2. How to Tell the Time in Finnish

Using a clock to read the time in Finland is going to be the same as in your own country, since you’re dealing with numbers and not words. You’ll know the time in your head and be able to say it in English, but will you be able to say it out loud in Finnish? 

The first step to saying the time in Finnish is knowing your numbers. How are you doing with that? If you can count to twelve in Finnish, you’re halfway there! We’ve already covered the phrases you’ll need to say the exact hour, as in “five o’clock”, as well as how to say “half past”. What remains is the more specific phrases to describe what the minute hand is doing.

In everyday speech, it’s common to say the minutes past or before the hour. Often we round the minutes off to the nearest five. 

Then, there’s the 24-hour clock. Also known as ‘military time’, the 24-hour clock is used in most countries and, as such, is useful to understand. You’ll find that even in places where the 12-hour clock is standard, certain people will speak in military time or use a combination of the two.  No doubt you’ve also noticed that in written time, the 24-hour clock is commonly used.  One of the most prominent places you’ll have seen this is on airport flight schedules.

Knowing how to tell military time in Finnish is really not complicated if you know your numbers up to twenty-four. One advantage of using the 24-hour clock in Finnish, is there’s no chance of confusing AM and PM.

Once you know how to say the time, it will be pretty easy to also write the time in Finnish. You’re already learning what the different hours and minutes look and sound like, so give yourself some writing practice of the same. 

3. Conclusion

Now that you understand the vocabulary for telling time in Finnish, the best thing you can do to really lock it down is to just practice saying Finnish time daily. Start by replacing English with Finnish whenever you need to say the time; in fact, do this whenever you look at your watch. Say the time to yourself in Finnish and it will become a habit. When learning a new language, the phrases you use habitually are the ones your brain will acquire. It feels amazing when that turning point comes!

To help yourself gain confidence, why don’t you make use of our various apps, downloadable for iPhone and iPad, as well as Android? Choose what works best for you. In addition, we have so many free resources available to supplement your learning, that you simply can’t go wrong. Some of these are:

• Free lessons on iTunes
• A free mini lesson every day with the Innovative Language Calendar.
• Free audio books for lessons on the go.

If you prefer watching your lessons on video, check out our YouTube channel – there are hundreds of videos to browse. For those of you with Roku, we also have a TV channel you can watch.

Well, it’s time for me to say goodbye and for you to practice saying the time in Finnish. Look at the nearest clock and try to say the exact time, down to the seconds. See you again soon at FinnishPod101!

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Finland for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

Table of Contents

1. Life Events
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
3. Talking About Age
4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Finnish? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Finnish, here at FinnishPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – syntymäpäivä

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Finnish friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Finnish, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Finnish is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

Hyvää syntymäpäivää

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Finnish! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – ostaa

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Finnish etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – jäädä eläkkeelle

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Finland, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – valmistuminen

When attending a graduation ceremony in Finland, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Finnish you hear.

5- Promotion – ylennys

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – vuosipäivä

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Finnish.

7- Funeral – hautajaiset

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Finland, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – matkustaa

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Finnish immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – valmistua

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Finland afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – häät

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – muuttaa

I love Finland, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – syntyä

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Finnish?

13- Get a job – saada työpaikka

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Finland – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Finnish introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Finnish?

14- Die – kuolla

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – koti

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Finland for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – työ

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – syntymä

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Finland?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – mennä kihloihin

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Finland is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Finnish?

19- Marry – mennä naimisiin

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Finnish?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Finland, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Finnish phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, FinnishPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at FinnishPod101:

• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Finnish with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Finnish dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about FinnishPod101…!
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• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Finnish word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Finnish level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in FinnishPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Finnish.

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.

So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Finnish acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.

FinnishPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!

Table of Contents

1. Talking about the weather in Finland
2. Words for the first day of spring
3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?
4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary
5. Winter
6. FinnishPod101 can prepare you for any season.

1. Talking about the weather in Finland

If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Finnish weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.

1- The rain is falling on the street – Sade putoaa kadulle.

Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Finnish experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.

2- Falling snow – satava lumi

A fresh blanket of snow is irresistibly beautiful. Pull on your boots and beanie, and leave your tracks in this foreign landscape. Don’t resist the urge to build a snowman – you need this!

3- Fluffy cloud – pehmeä pilvi

When you’re waiting for a warm beach day, fluffy white clouds in a blue sky are a good sign. Don’t forget your sunscreen, as clouds will intensify the UV rays hitting your skin.

4- The water froze on the glass – Vesi jäätyi lasissa.

Night temperatures can get chilly and might freeze the condensation on your windows. A good way to clear them up is with warm salt water.

5- The heavy rain could cause flash flooding – Tämä rankkasade voisi aiheuttaa suuren tulvan.

If you’re visiting Finland in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Finnish weather words.

6- Flood – tulva

If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.

7- The typhoon has hit – Hirmumyrsky on iskenyt.

Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!

8- Check the weather report before going sailing – Katso säätiedotus ennenkuin lähdet purjehtimaan.

When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!

9- Today’s weather is sunny with occasional clouds – Tänään on ajoittain pilvinen aurinkoinen ilma.

Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Finland! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.

10- A rainy day – sateinen päivä

Remember when you said you’d save the Finnish podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!

11- Scenic rainbow – luonnonkaunis sateenkaari

The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Finland. There’s magic in that!

12- Flashes of lightning can be beautiful, but are very dangerous – Salaman välähtelyt voivat olla kauniita, mutta ne ovat vaarallisia.

Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!

13- 25 degrees Celsius – 25 celsiusastetta

Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Finnish term for ‘degrees Celsius’.

14- Water freezes at thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit – Vesi jäätyy 32 Fahrenheit-asteessa.

Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Finnish in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.

15- Clear sky – pilvetön

Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.

16- Light drizzle – kevyt tihkusade

Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Finland. You could go to the mall and watch a Finnish film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!

17- Temperature – lämpötila

Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.

18- Humid – kostea

I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!

19- With low humidity the air feels dry – Ilmankosteuden ollessa matala ilma tuntuu kuivalta.

These are the best days to go walking the hills and vales. Just take at least one Finnish friend with you so you don’t get lost!

20- The wind is really strong – Tuuli on todella kova.

A strong wind blows away the air pollution and is very healthy in that respect. Just avoid the mountain trails today, unless you fancy being blown across the continent like a hot air balloon.

21- It’s windy outside – Ulkona on tuulista.

Wind! My least favourite weather condition. Of course, if you’re a kitesurfer, a windy day is what you’ve been waiting for!

22- Wet roads can ice over when the temperature falls below freezing – Märät tiet voivat jäätyä kun lämpötila putoaa nollan alapuolelle.

The roads will be dangerous in these conditions, so please don’t take chances. The ice will thaw as soon as the sun comes out, so be patient!

23- Today is very muggy – Tänään on erittäin kuumankosteaa.

Muggy days make your skin feel sticky and sap your energy. They’re particular to high humidity. Cold shower, anyone? Ice vest? Whatever it takes to feel relief from the humidity!

24- Fog – sumu

Not a great time to be driving, especially in unknown territory, but keep your fog lights on and drive slowly.

25- Hurricane – hurrikaani

Your new Finnish friends will know the signs, so grab some food and candles and prepare for a night of staying warm and chatting about wild weather in Finland.

26- Big tornado – suuri pyörremyrsky

If you hear these words, it will probably be obvious already that everyone is preparing for the worst! Definitely do whatever your accommodation hosts tell you to do when a tornado is expected.

27- Cloudy – pilvinen

While there won’t be any stargazing tonight, the magnificent clouds over Finland will make impressive photographs. Caption them in Finnish to impress your friends back home!

28- Below freezing temperatures – pakkasasteet

When the temperature is below freezing, why not take an Uber and go shopping for some gorgeous Finnish winter gear?

29- Wind chill is how cold it really feels outside – Pakkasen purevuus kertoo kuinka kylmä ulkona oikeastaan on.

Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is. Not all your Finnish friends will know that, though, so learn this Finnish phrase to sound really smart!

30- Water will freeze when the temperature falls below zero degrees celsius – Vesi jäätyy kun lämpötila laskee alle nollan celsiusasteen.

If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!

31- Clear up – seljetä

Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Finnish Nook Book.

32- Avoid the extreme heat – välttää hellettä

Is the heat trying to kill you? Unless you’re a hardened heatwave hero, definitely avoid activity, stay hydrated and drink electrolytes. Loose cotton or linen garb is the way to go!

33- Morning frost – aamukuura

Frost is water vapour that has turned to ice crystals and it happens when the earth cools so much in the night, that it gets colder than the air above it. Winter is coming!

34- Rain shower – sadekuuro

Rain showers are typically brief downpours that drench the earth with a good drink of water.

35- In the evening it will become cloudy and cold – Illalla pilvistyy ja viilenee.

When I hear this on the Finnish weather channel, I buy a bottle of wine (red, of course) and wood for the fireplace. A cold and cloudy evening needs its comforts!

36- Severe thunderstorm – raju ukkosmyrsky

Keep an eye on the Finnish weather maps if it looks like a big storm is coming, so you’ll be well-informed.

37- Ice has formed on the window – Ikkunaan on muodostunut jäätä.

You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!

38- Large hailstones – suuria rakeita

As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!

39- Rolling thunder – jyrisevä ukkonen

The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.

40- Sleet – räntä

Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Finnish!

2. Words for the first day of spring

You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Finnish friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Finnish spring words!

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Finland there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Finnish songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Finnish summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Finnish landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Finland.

The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.

So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Finnish autumn words.

5. Winter

Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!

Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!

6. FinnishPod101 can prepare you for any season.

Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Finland, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Finnish street café, try asking someone local this question:

“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Finnish weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? FinnishPod101 is here to help!

Did you know there are many different types of calendars?

As you probably know – a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia.

Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth’s movement around the sun – the “solar calendar”. Other calendars keep time by observing the moon’s movements, a combination of the moon and the sun’s movements, and seasons.

Through FinnishPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date.

Having a good plan for a visit or a trip is like studying well for an exam. You’re just so much better prepared! For that, you could well need specific phrases to plan around appointments and such, especially on business trips. Make sure to use the charts we provide here with the days of the week in Finnish, as well as the months in Finnish to navigate your way as you plan. Great resources!

Also – always remember to have fun!

Table of Contents

1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Finnish?
2. Talking About your Plans
3. Can FinnishPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Finnish?

Well, that’s not a difficult question to answer. No matter why you’re travelling, it would be best to at least know the names of days and months in Finnish. You don’t want to miss your flight or an appointment because you confused “perjantai” (Friday) with “lauantai” (Saturday)! Or maybe you planned a holiday for “heinäkuu” (July), but you booked a flight for “kesäkuu” (June) by accident!

Avoid this confusion by learning the Finnish calendar before you leave.

Now, as promised, the 15 phrases to help you make and discuss plans.

2. Talking About your Plans

Perhaps you’re working in Finland, or maybe you’re enjoying a prolonged holiday. Fabulous! Memorize these phrases so you can be sure to successfully negotiate meetings, appointments, dates, events, the list goes on!

1. Mitä sinä teet tänä viikonloppuna?

“What are you doing this weekend?”

This question is usually a preamble to inviting someone somewhere. Given that it’s over the weekend, it probably means a casual get-together or another social event. (But not necessarily! A manager or boss could also ask this for entirely different reasons.)

It’s a handy phrase to know when you’ve made Finnish or expat friends in the country. Or, be the one doing the inviting. Then train your ear to learn the following phrases so you can understand the response.

2. Matkustan tänä viikonloppuna.

“I am traveling this weekend.”

This could be a reply if you’re not available because you’re doing other fun stuff.

No matter why you are visiting Finland, do take the time to explore the country! It’s beautiful and it has so many wonderful, interesting spots ready to be visited.

3. Aion jäädä kotiin.

“I am planning to stay at home.”

Maybe you feel unwell, but don’t want to give too much information? Or maybe you have work to do? Perhaps you just need some quiet gardening time…it doesn’t matter. This response is polite and honest without oversharing.

It could also be a slightly open-ended response, depending on how you deliver it. Because hey, being home could still mean your plans are flexible, right?

That said – depending on your relationship with the inviter, nuances like these will probably not be so apparent in a foreign culture. So, best to use this excuse for declining an invitation only if you are truly set on staying in.

4. Tällä viikolla olen kiireinen.

“This week I am busy.”

Another polite phrase that gives a reason for declining an invitation but without oversharing details.

Don’t decline too many invitations, though! You don’t want people to think that you’re too busy to hang out with them. They will stop inviting you out, and you know how the saying goes – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…! Being social is good for the soul.

5. Olen vapaa huomenna.

“I am free tomorrow.”

Yay! Perhaps you were approached by that person and they asked about your availability for a date. This would be a fine reply. Not too eager, but still indicating that you’re interested.

Or maybe you’re just replying to a colleague or manager’s request for a meeting. Polite, honest and clear.

Alternatively, you’re just busy right now, and plans are not going the way they were…well, planned. Compromise is a lovely thing! And this phrase sounds just like that.

Use it to indicate that you want to accommodate an invitation or the inviter’s plans, despite your current unavailability. Only if you are really free, of course.

6. Voimmeko suunnitella tämän uudelleen?

“Can we reschedule this?”

So, life happened and you are unable to meet obligations or attend a planned meeting. This is a suitable question to ask if you wish to indicate your willingness to still engage with whatever is on the table.

Obviously you should (ideally) not ask to reschedule a party or big meeting! (Unless you’re the boss or it’s your own party, of course.) But if there’s reasonable wiggle room regarding arrangements, then this one’s your question.

7. Minulla on tarpeeksi aikaa kuukauden lopussa.

“I will have enough time at the end of the month.”

A go-to phrase when events or activities are likely to take up a lot of your time, such as going away for a weekend, spending the day at a local market, or writing your manager’s quarterly report (with 20 flow-charts in Powerpoint) – anything that won’t only take an hour or two.

8. Milloin on sinulle sopivin aika?

“When is the best time that suits you?”

Remember phrase #5? That was a possible reply to this question. Asked by your crush, very possibly! Or, it could be asked by any other person for any other reason, doesn’t matter.

If this is addressed to you, it usually means that the person respects your time and schedule, which is a good thing. It probably also means that their own schedule is flexible, another good thing.

This is also a polite question to ask when a manager or senior colleague wants to meet with you. Let them decide on the time, and be as accommodating as possible. This attitude shows respect for seniority – good for career building. (Within reason, of course. You don’t need to postpone your wedding or your paid-up holiday to Australia because your manager wants to see you.)

9. Onko tämä päivämäärä OK sinulle?

“Is this date OK with you?”

But – if the other party insists that you choose a time for a meeting, appointment, or date etc., then do so! Respond with this nice, somewhat casual question that leaves space for negotiation, but only needs a simple reply.

Suitable for friends, and casual acquaintances and colleagues.

10. Oletko käytettävissä kyseisenä päivänä?

“Are you available on that day?”

This is the a-bit-more-formal version of the previous question. Again, it has room for negotiation, but only needs a simple response – nice and neat!

Maybe this is the go-to question when you’re addressing your seniors at work, or a person much older than you.

11. Voimmeko tehdä sen mahdollisimman pian?

“Can we do it as soon as possible?”

This question has an urgency to it that should preferably be responded to with the same. A simple reply will be good – yes or no. Less negotiable, this is still polite because it’s a question that gives you a choice.

But stand ready with one of the phrases in this article to help tie down a time and date!

12. Olen käytettävissä joka ilta.

“I’m available every evening”

If you’re going to reply with this phrase, context is everything.

– If it’s your manager asking you to put in a bit of overtime, and you are available to – great reply! When deadlines are tight and everybody is stressing, your willingness to go the extra mile can only improve your relationship with your boss.

(Still, no need to be a doormat! If you get asked to work overtime too often, or if everyone else is goofing around while you have to graft, then re-evaluate the situation. And if you feel you’re being exploited a bit, don’t stress! Equip yourself with the diplomatic, yet assertive responses right in this article.)

– If it’s an old friend or longtime significant other asking to hang out – good reply. You know one another and appearances don’t matter any longer.

– If it’s a new crush who just asked when you’d be available for a date – stop. Not such a great reply. Tone down a bit! “Interested but not overly eager” is what you’re going for here.

Refer back to response #5, or use a counter-question, such as #1. Whatever suits you.

But if they – or anyone else – invite you to scale the Himalayas with them, then the next phrase will probably be the only sane response!

13. Minun täytyy suunnitella tämä hyvin etukäteen.

“I need to plan this well in advance.”

So, as said under #9, perhaps you’re invited to join someone conquer the Himalayas.

Or your company manager wants you to plan the Party that Tops All Year-End Parties Forever.

Simply – if you get asked to do something that you know will need a lot of thorough planning, this is a good phrase to respond with.

It’s an assertive phrase that demonstrates two things regarding your attitude:

a) That you know your own abilities, and respect your own schedule.
b) That your respect other people’s time and schedule too.

Then just be sure to actually do that planning well in advance!

14. Meidän on löydettävä toinen päivämäärä.

“We need to find another date.”

So, you’re in negotiations regarding a date.

This is an assertive statement that should probably not be used with a “My way or the highway” attitude.

That stuff only works in the movies – think sharp-tongued Samuel L. Jackson. Or fierce Kristen Stewart. Yea, they can be scary, so tone down that tone.

Also, be mindful that fickle people who change plans all the time don’t keep friends! Taking others’ needs into consideration, while simultaneously having your way is a delicate art that takes proper cultivation. Use this phrase sparingly – we have better ones here to negotiate with.

Of course, if your planned trip to the dentist falls on the same day as the only Billie Eilish concert close by…well, priorities are priorities. Feel free to call the dentist with this phrase. Or even better, use the next one.

15. En voi tehdä sitä sinä päivänä.

“I cannot do it on that day.”

This is the low-key-but-still-firm cousin of the previous phrase. You’re stating a personal fact, and depending on your tone, this can be as non-negotiable as you prefer.

Again, only use this when you really mean it, if you’re visiting Finland or any other foreign country.

So, that’s it, folks! Which phrase did you find the most helpful? Let us know in the comments!

3. Can FinnishPod101 Help You In Other Ways Too?

Well yes, of course!

We think you will find these phrases easy to use when talking about dates and months in Finnish. But knowing how to employ them properly could help you avoid sticky situations!

FinnishPod101 is uniquely geared to help you with this and so much more.

This InnovativeLanguage.com initiative is one of many online language-learning courses. With us, you’ll find it easy and fun to learn a new language, and here are a few reasons why:

• Immediately upon enrollment, you’ll receive hundreds of well-designed lessons to get you going.
• Watch superb recordings of native Finnish speakers in cool slide-shows – the easy way to practice till you sound just like a native speaker yourself!
• Also immediately upon enrollment, you’ll get access to a huge library of free resources! These include extensive, theme-based Vocabulary Lists and a Word of the Day List (For free, hot bargains!) These alone are sure to give your vocab-learning boxing gloves.
• You’ll also immediately be able to use an excellent and free Finnish online dictionary. Necessary for quick, handy translations, no matter where you find yourself.
• For the serious learner, there are numerous enrollment upgrades available, one of which offers you a personal, online Finnish host. Allow us to hold your hand and support you in your learning!

If you’re serious about mastering Finnish easily yet correctly, FinnishPod101 is definitely one of, if not the best, online language learning platforms available. Talking about your plans or dates in Finnish need not ever spoil your stay.

So, hurry up—enroll today!

Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don’t parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family.

The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive – humans and animals alike!

At FinnishPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family.

Table of Contents

1. Why Is It Important to Know Finnish Vocabulary about Family?
2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first
3. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn Finnish Family Terms

1. Why Is It Important to Know Finnish Vocabulary about Family?

Well, if you’re serious about studying any new language, then learning about the most important social unit in Finnish culture would be a crucial part of your education.

What is family, though? Strictly speaking, it’s a group of people who live together and are supposed to take care of one another. Some of them are genetically linked.

Family isn’t just about who we’re related to by blood, of course. It’s also one of the main influences in shaping every child’s life.

Family is Important for Children’s Healthy Development

Family is the single most important influence in a child’s life. Children depend on parents and family to protect them and provide for their needs from the day they were born.

Primary caregivers, which usually comprise parents and family, form a child’s first relationships. They are a child’s first teachers and are role models that show kids how to act and experience the world around them.

By nurturing and teaching children during their early years, families play an important role in making sure children are ready to learn when they enter school.

Families Can Take All Shapes and Sizes

However, the way families are put together is by no means standard.

Single-parent and same-gender households have become a new norm the past few decades, and there’s no shame in this. When there is love, connection and proper care, a child can thrive anywhere.

Everyone also knows that sometimes friends can become like family and remain with us for life, because it’s all about human connection.

After all, we share many commonalities simply because we’re human, and we are programmed to connect with one another and belong to a group. This is very important for our well-being and survival.

It’s All About Feeling Connected

As John Northman, a psychologist from Buffalo, NY, told WebMD – feeling connected to others contributes to mental as well as physical health.

He pointed out that when people feel connected, they feel better physically, and they’re also less likely to feel depressed.

Or, if they do feel depressed, they’d be in a better position to get out of it when they feel they are connecting with others. This is because they would be psychologically supported too, Northman said.

There has even been some links drawn between addiction and feeling disconnected from others. According to an article in Psychology Today, research indicates that addiction is not solely a substance disorder, but also affected by people feeling insecurely attached to others.

It showed that securely attached individuals tend to feel comfortable in and enjoy life, while insecurely attached people typically struggle to fit in and connect.

2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first

So, it’s clear that for most of us, family is our entry point into connection and belonging. This is true of every culture, so in every country, family takes prominence.

For this reason, FinnishPod101 offers culturally-relevant lessons that will equip you well to understand families in Finland.

Here are some of the most important Finnish vocabulary and quotes about family and parenting!

A) Finnish Family Vocabulary

Let’s start with the basic vocabulary. Without this collection of words, you’ll have a hard time describing any member of your family at all.

Family Terms
Family perhe	Great grandfather isoisoisä
Mother äiti	Grandmother isoäiti
Father isä	Grandfather isoisä
Wife vaimo	Grandchild lapsenlapsi
Husband aviomies	Granddaughter pojantytär, tyttärentytär
Parent vanhempi	Grandson pojanpoika, tyttärenpoika
Child lapsi	Aunt täti
Daughter tytär	Uncle setä, eno
Sister sisko	Niece veljentytär
Brother veli	Nephew veljenpoika
Younger sister pikkusisko	Younger brother pikkuveli
Older brother isoveli	Great grandmother isoisoäiti
Cousin serkku	Mother-in-law anoppi
Father-in-law appi	Sister-in-law käly
Brother-in-law lanko	Partner kumppani

B) Quotes About Family

One of the ways to improve your Finnish language skills is by memorizing quotes from books, or poems.

Either source some from Finnish literature, or make use of ours!

Sinä et valitse perhettäsi. He ovat Jumalan lahja sinulle, kuten sinäkin olet heille.

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” – Desmond Tutu

Perhe ei ole tärkeä asia. Se on kaikki.

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” – Michael J. Fox

Perhe tarkoittaa, ettei ketään jätetä yksin eikä unohdeta.

“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” – David Ogden Stiers

Perheeni on voimani ja heikkouteni.

“My family is my strength and my weakness.” – Aishwarya Rai

Perhe on yksi luonnon mestariteoksista.

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” – George Santayana

Kun ongelmia tulee, perheesi on se, joka tukee sinua.

“When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” – Guy Lafleur

Perhe on yhteiskunnan perussolu.

“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII

Ei ole olemassa sellaista asiaa kuin hauskaa koko perheelle.

“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” – Jerry Seinfeld

Sinun täytyy puolustaa kunniaasi. Ja perhettäsi.

“You have to defend your honor. And your family.” – Suzanne Vega

Kaikki onnelliset perheet ovat toistensa kaltaisia; jokainen onneton perhe on onneton omalla tavallaan.

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy

C) Test Your Knowledge!

Do you feel you have learned a lot in this blog? Let’s quickly test that!

In the table below, match the Finnish vocabulary on the left with the definition of the relative in the right column.

MY RELATIVES
Relative Name	Definition
1. perhe	a. My male child
2. äiti	b. My older male sibling
3. isä	c. My female sibling
4. vaimo	d. My child’s child
5. aviomies	e. My child’s female child
6. vanhempi	f. My female parent
7. lapsi	g. My grandparent’s mother
8. tytär	h. Mother to one of my parents
9. poika	i. Relatives
10. sisko	j. My female child
11. veli	k. My younger male sibling
12. pikkusisko	l. Male spouse
13. pikkuveli	m. The father of one of my parents
14. isoveli	n. My child’s male child
15. isoisoäiti	o. My children’s father or mother
16. isoisoisä	p. The sister of one of my parents
17. isoäiti	q. The brother of one of my parents
18. isoisä	r. My male parent
19. lapsenlapsi	s. My sibling’s female child
20. pojantytär, tyttärentytär	t. My sibling’s male child
21. pojanpoika, tyttärenpoika	u. My male sibling
22. täti	v. My parents’ sibling’s child
23. setä, eno	w. Female spouse
24. veljentytär	x. The grandfather of one of my parents
25. veljenpoika	y. The person I am a parent to
26. serkku	z. My younger female sibling

How did it go? Don’t worry if you had trouble with it – you’ll get there! With a bit of practice, and our help at FinnishPod101, you’ll soon have these family terms under the belt.

3. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn Finnish Family Terms

We hope that we helped you expand your family in Finnish vocabulary!

FinnishPod101, with its innovative online learning system, stands out among online learning platforms to help you master Finnish easily.

Our lessons are tailored not only to increase your language skills, but to also inform you of Finnish culture, including the Finnish family structure.

When you sign up, you will get instant access to tools like:

1 – An extensive vocabulary list, regularly updated
2 – A new Finnish word to learn every day
3 – Quick access to the Finnish Key Phrase List
4 – A free Finnish online dictionary
5 – The excellent 100 Core Finnish Word List
6 – An almost limitless Lesson Library for learners of all levels

Further speed up your learning with the help of a personal tutor, who will first assess your current Finnish language abilities to personalize your training and tailor it to your needs.

Hard work always pays off, and to help you in this, FinnishPod101 will be there every step of the way toward your Finnish mastery!

Answers: 1.i. 2.f. 3.r. 4.w. 5.l. 6.o. 7.y. 8.j. 9.a. 10.c. 11.u. 12.z. 13.k. 14.b. 15.g 16.x. 17.h. 18.m. 19.d. 20.e. 21.n. 22.p. 23.q. 24.s. 25.t. 26.v.

Traveling to foreign countries is nearly always an exciting, enriching, and beneficial experience. Yet, some things can be real downers, such as boredom on a lengthy flight to Finland. Really, binge-watching onboard movies can only be interesting for so long! And jet lag – another huge downer. Did you know that jet lag is more severe when you travel from the West to the East?

Well, we won’t know how to beat that, but there are fortunately plenty of remedies around to investigate.

To beat flight boredom, though, we may have the answer for you at FinnishPod101! Why don’t you take the time to study Finnish travel phrases? We make this super easy and fun, with great downloadables, like our PDF Cheat Sheets. Quickly memorize these, and impress your Finnish friends or travel guide with your flawless Finnish!

Table of Contents

1. Importance Of Learning Travel Phrases
2. 13 Must-Have Travel Phrases and Words
3. Good-To-Have Travel Phrases
4. Ways To Improve Communication in a Foreign Country
5. FinnishPod101 Can Help You Master Travel Phrases Easily and Effortlessly!

1. Importance Of Learning Travel Phrases

Impressing Finnish people or your travel partners will be the least of the benefits you reap from learning these helpful phrases. These are greater ones:

1) Eliminate Travel Frustration: First of all, you’ll be able to cut out a good chunk of travel frustration and inconvenience due to language barriers.

Know how to pronounce and use at least the basic Finnish phrases, and then just look foreign. This should go a long way to help you get by and win you friends, because locals would be more inclined to help someone who took the trouble to learn a smidgen of their language.

2) Emergency Readiness: In case of an emergency, you will be able to get help a lot quicker if you know how to ask for what in Finnish. Imagine miming to a doctor or nurse that you have a sore ear but that you’re allergic to penicillin. Not so easy, right?

Rather, you should know basic emergency travel phrases, especially if you suffer from a serious condition. Also, information about life-threatening allergies you have should always be on your person in the language of the country you’re visiting.

3) Sight-Seeing Readiness: Hopefully, you also travel to learn more about a country’s culture. Visiting the main tourist sites in Finland will be more interesting if you know how to ask pertinent questions in Finnish.

In this blog, we’ll also be giving you important travel phrases to consider – from the 13 essential must-have phrases to ones that are just generally useful and good to know.

Let’s get cracking!

2. 13 Must-Have Travel Phrases and Words

Seasoned explorers of multiple countries will tell you that certain words and phrases are absolute must-knows in anyone’s travel vocabulary. Learning from them, we collated some of the most essential ones here for you.

If you know these travel phrases and words by heart in Finnish, you will be much better equipped for your visit than most of your movie-binging travel mates.

1) Kiitos (Thank you)

As a tourist, you will be relying on the kindness of strangers to get by. Repay them with a small acknowledgment of their friendly generosity – know how to say “thank you” in Finnish.

2) Puhutteko englantia? (Do you speak English?)

While it may be a bit of a cop-out, sometimes you just can’t figure out how to communicate. Maybe you’re blanking on one specific word you need, maybe they’re speaking with a heavy accent, or maybe it’s just really late and you really want to get to the hotel. In that case, try asking if they speak English, and hopefully you can make things a little bit simpler for yourself.

Don’t abuse this phrase, though! If you just try to get by without learning any of the local language, not only will you not learn anything – you’ll be out of luck if they can’t speak English!

3) Meneekö lentokentältä bussia kaupunkiin? (Is there a bus from the airport to the city?)

Public transit is usually cheaper, if slower, than taking a taxi or rideshare. Use this phrase to see if you can get where you’re going when you’re strapped for cash, or just when you’d like to take the scenic route into town!

4) Onko tämä oikea bussi lentokentälle? (Is this the right bus for the airport?)

Likewise, if you’re the kind of person who can get themselves moving early (or maybe you just have a late flight), maybe you want to take the bus to the airport rather than taking a cab. If that’s the case, you’ll want to be sure you’re actually heading the right way! You wouldn’t want to end up at a lookout point half an hour away, watching your flight take off in the distance, would you?

5) Anteeksi, mitä matka maksaa? (Excuse me, what’s the fare?)

If you are paying for a cab, you’ll want to know how much. Most legal taxis will have meters, but when dealing with a currency you’re not familiar with, it can be worth asking just to double check that you’re paying the right amount – especially if the currency has cents.

6) Minulla on varaus (I have a reservation)

This one you can expect to use at least a few times throughout your trip, unless you’re the kind of person who travels by the seat of their pants and just goes to whatever hotel, motel, or hostel has rooms available.

7) Onko teillä vapaita huoneita tänä iltana? (Do you have any vacancies tonight?)

If that’s the case, you’ll definitely be using this phrase instead. Quite possibly a lot, depending on how lucky you are!

8 ) Missä on rautatie-asema? (Where is the train station?)

If you’re in a country with an expansive commuter rail system (or maybe just a fan of other types of locomotives), you may want to know where the closest station is. Just don’t go looking for pennies on the rails!

9) Olen allerginen maapähkinöille (I am allergic to peanuts)

Replace “peanuts” with whatever the word for your allergen may be. If your allergy is serious, you probably already know the importance of stating this very clearly in Finnish.

If the condition is life-threatening, be sure to have a letter or prescription from a medical professional in Finnish on your person at all times. Consider getting a medical alert bracelet specially made in Finnish if your stay will be longer than a month or so.

10) Onko teillä mitään kasvisruokia? (Do you have any vegetarian dishes?)

If you dislike eating certain things, or you have certain dietary restrictions, it would be best if you knew how to convey this clearly in Finnish.

Remember, though, that saying “I’m vegan” or “I’m diabetic” may not be enough to get you what you want. The rules for veganism and vegetarianism are not standard everywhere in the world. Also, your patron might not understand what “diabetic” means. If you have a medical condition, it would be best to research some in-depth vocabulary beforehand.

11) Voisinko saada kartan? (Could I get a map?)

Planning on exploring your destination? Hopelessly lost? Maybe just an amateur cartographer? No matter the reason, this phrase is sure to come in handy. That said, you’re more likely to get use out of it at some sort of tourist or travel center than you are asking a random passerby on the street.

12) Paljonko tämä on? (How much is this?)

Even if you’re not a big shopper, you’re probably going to need this phrase at some point. Knowing how to count in Finnish will, of course, help a lot with purchases too.

13) Käykö teillä luottokortti? (Do you take credit card?)

This is another travel phrase that will smooth your monetary transactions considerably.

3. Good-To-Have Travel Phrases

Unlike the previous phrases, these are not really essential so much as they are useful. Yet, knowing these will still smooth over some bumps on your journey, more than just knowing the crucial phrases would.

1) Onko Wi-Fi-ilmainen? (Is the Wi-Fi free?)

If you’re abroad, your normal cellular plans probably won’t have any service, and you’ll be totally reliant on publically available Wi-Fi while you’re out and about. Just ask a server, clerk, or attendant, and they’ll be happy to let you know. Just make sure you’re paying attention when they tell you the password!

2) Voisitko ottaa minusta kuvan? (Could you take a picture of me please?)

What would a trip be with no photos to commemorate the event? Just be sure to ask this of someone who actually looks like they’d be willing to, unless you’re willing to risk being given the cold shoulder or worse. If you’re at a tourist attraction, you’ll find that most people are more than happy to take one for you, so long as you take one of them as well!

3) Onko teillä mitään suosituksia? (Do you have any recommendations?)

Eating alone in a restaurant? Or going out with new Finnish friends or business colleagues? Let them help you decide what to have.

4) Haluaisin savuttoman istuinpaikan, kiitos (I’d like to have a non-smoking seat, please)

Though smoking has gone out of fashion in some places, it’s still popular in others. In the event you’re at a restaurant where smoking is allowed on premises, you can always ask this question to the staff and be seated elsewhere.

5) Vettä, kiitos (Water, please)

If you’ve emptied your glass, or are cutting yourself off after a few drinks, you can always ask for some water. It can be especially useful if the restaurant is busy to the point you need to call out to someone to get service.

6) Voisinko saada laskun? (Could I have the check?)

To finish off the restaurant related phrases, if you’re eating with friends or really want to impress your colleagues, taking the bill can be a nice treat for them. Of course, this phrase could come in handy as well if you’re eating alone and you’re just impatient to leave.

7) Mitä suosittelette matkamuistoksi? (What do you recommend for a souvenir?)

Now that your trip is over, what better way to cap it all off than a memento, or maybe a gift for friends and family at home? It’ll be nicer to have something recommended by the locals than a cheap bauble from the airport store, so go ahead and ask someone you’ve met what they think.

4. Ways To Improve Communication in a Foreign Country

When traveling, it’s possible to keep communication smooth when you don’t share a language.

Do so by keeping these five tips in mind. They are aimed to help you communicate with those who cannot speak English very well, and also to keep your traveling experience pleasant!

1. Keep your English simple and easy to understand.
If the person you are talking to speaks very little English, use basic verbs, adjectives, and nouns, and keep sentences short.

However, don’t patronize them by talking in pidgin or like you would address a child. Keep your speech simple but natural, and use the correct grammar.

For instance, don’t say: “You come when?”. If you say: “When will you come?”, you will very likely be understood, and may even help someone who wants to improve their English.

2. Ask someone to write information down.
Apply Rule 1 first at your hotel, where the staff is very likely to be able to speak some English. Get them to write down, in their native language, things like: “I would like to go to the airport, please,” “Please take me to the beach,” or “Where is the closest bathroom?”

These written questions are something you can then give to taxi drivers or any other people who are willing and able to help you. This simple step could make your life a lot easier when you travel to a foreign country!

3. Avoid asking leading questions!
If you want the correct information from a non-native English speaker, that is.

When you need directions, for instance, don’t ask: “To get to the bus stop, do I need to turn left here?” If the person didn’t really understand you, you will probably just get a smile and a “Yes,” which could possibly make you miss your bus.

Rather, you should ask: “Where is the bus stop?” If they understand you, you will get the correct directions.

4. Pick the right person to ask for help.
Time to look at people and think a bit about their appearance! A younger person who looks like they might be a student is more likely to have English skills than the friendly but ancient lady smiling at you from a fruit stall.

If you don’t see anyone like that, head into town to the nearest bank, hospital, pharmacy, or hotel. The staff at those places usually speak a bit of English.

5. Know when to quit.
If you stuck to the above rules, but the person you are talking to only stares at you blankly, say thank you and leave. Hanging around hoping someone will suddenly understand and respond is just wasting your time, and may irritate them as well. Go find someone else.

5. FinnishPod101 Can Help You Master Travel Phrases Easily and Effortlessly!

So, reader, have you found this article helpful?

Do you feel comfortable enough to use some essential travel phrases in Finnish? We’d also love to hear if you think we left out important travel phrases. Leave your suggestions and opinions in the comments!

FinnishPod101 takes the lead with many free learning tools to help you master Finnish reading and speaking easily, and in fun ways.

These tools include:

– An extensive vocabulary list, regularly updated
– A new Finnish word to learn every day
– Quick access to the Finnish Key Phrase List
– A free Finnish online dictionary
– The excellent 100 Core Finnish Word List
– An almost limitless Lesson Library for learners of all levels

You will also have access to topic-specific recordings like our Before You Travel: Survival Phrases lesson.

Learn even more efficiently with the help of a personal tutor, after taking an assessment test to personalize and tailor your training.

Getting a tutor is also a good option if you meet challenges in your learning, or need to fast-track correct pronunciation and diction. Your very own friendly, Finnish-speaking teacher will be only a text away on a special app, anywhere, anytime – an excellent option for business persons!

Using a guided learning system that was developed by experts in language and online education, you’ll receive personal feedback and constant support to improve in no time. You’ll also be tasked with weekly assignments in reading, writing, and speaking to hone your Finnish speaking skills.

Imagine how impressed your Finnish friends or colleagues will be when you display your excellent conversational skills! With FinnishPod101, getting there will be easy and fun.

You’re learning to speak Finnish, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Finnish.

At Learn Finnish, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Finnish in the process.

1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Finnish

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Finnish. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Juha eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Lämmin suositus! Tästä ravintolasta saa mahtavaa sushia.
“A warm recommendation! You can get awesome sushi from this restaurant.”

1- Lämmin suositus!

First is an expression meaning “A warm recommendation!”
The first word means “warm,” and the second word means “recommendation.” You can use this expression whenever you want to recommend something or someone in a warm-hearted, empathetic way.

2- Tästä ravintolasta saa mahtavaa sushia.

Then comes the phrase – “You can get awesome sushi from this restaurant..”
You can use the expression, which means “You can get awesome…from this…”, to say you can find or buy something great from a shop or a restaurant. Sushi is quite trendy and popular in Finland, but as it isn’t a Finnish dish, not everyone has tried it. Also, usually only the bigger cities in Finland have sushi restaurants.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nam! Näyttää herkulliselta.

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Yum! Looks delicious.”
Use this expression to show you are appreciative of the food depicted in the photo.

2- En ole koskaan maistanut, mutta näyttää mielenkiintoiselta. Mukavaa iltaa!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “I have never tasted it, but it looks interesting. Have a nice evening!”
Use this expression to share personal information about the food, and wish the poster a pleasant experience.

3- Ehkä Juha viet tytöt joskus tuonne syömään?

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Perhaps, Juha, you will take the girls to eat there sometime?”
Use this question only if you know the poster well – in context, you want the poster to take someone to the same restaurant.

4- Mennään kaikki yhdessä joku ilta!

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Let’s all go together some evening!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling sociable and would like to get together with the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

suositus: “recommendation”

mahtava: “awesome”

näyttää joltakin: “to look like something”

maistaa (taste): “to taste”

mielenkiintoinen (interesting): “interesting”

mukava (nice): “nice”

yhdessä: “absolutely”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a Finnish restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in Finnish

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everyone loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these Finnish phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Anne goes shopping with her sister at the mall, posts an image of the two of them together, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Shoppailuterapiaa siskon kanssa! Upeita löytöjä.
“Shopping therapy with my sister! Great findings.”

1- Shoppailuterapiaa siskon kanssa!

First is an expression meaning “Shopping therapy with sister!”
The first word comes directly from the English phrase “shopping therapy.” You can use it in a playful way to describe time spent shopping as therapeutic.

2- Upeita löytöjä.

Then comes the phrase – “Great findings..”
This expression is in the plural form. The first word means “great” or “fantastic.” The second word means “findings,” but when talking about shopping, it can also refer to “bargains.”

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Säästäkää jotakin mullekin!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Please, spare something for me too!”
Use this expression to be funny and tease the poster a bit.

2- Älä tuhlaa liikaa…

Her boyfriend, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t spend too much…”
Use this expression to show you are feeling concerned about the poster’s spending habits. But usually, this is not a topic you would discuss seriously on social media, so it serves more as a comment just to make conversation.

3- Muista ostaa Juhalle tuliaisia!

Her college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Remember to buy some souvenirs for Juha!”
Use this expression when you want to contribute to the conversation with a suggestion.

4- Olette varmasti löytäneet kauniita vaatteita. Pitäkää hauskaa!

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “I’m sure you found some beautiful clothes. Have fun!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and wish the shoppers well.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

shoppailuterapia: “shopping therapy”

löytö: “finding”

säästää: “to spare”

mullekin: “for me too (spoken language)”

tuliainen: “souvenir”

kommentti: “comment”

löytää: “to find”

vaate: “a piece of clothing”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in Finnish

Sport events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunities for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in Finnish.

Juha plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of the team, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Tänään rantalentistä poikien kanssa. Vierivä kivi ei sammaloidu!
“Today, beach volley with the boys. The rolling stone gathers no moss!”

1- Tänään rantalentistä poikien kanssa.

First is an expression meaning “Today beach volley with the boys. .”
Finns often refer to their male friends as “boys,” even when they’re already adults. The word for “volleyball” used here is actually a shortened version and a common nickname for the sport.

2- Vierivä kivi ei sammaloidu!

Then comes the phrase – “The rolling stone gathers no moss!”
Unlike in English, in Finnish this common phrase is an appreciation of an active and energetic lifestyle. The first word means “rolling,” the second “stone”, and the third and fourth words together mean “does not gather moss.”

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Koita osua palloon!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Try to hit the ball!”
Use this expression when you’re joking with the poster’s sport abilities.

2- Taitaa olla myöhäistä…

His girlfriend’s nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “I think it’s too late…”
Use this expression if you are feeling concern over the time of the day.

3- Upeaa! Kiva että viihdytte ulkona.

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Fantastic! It’s nice that you’re enjoying the outdoors.”
Use this expression to partake in the conversation with general, pleasant comments.

4- Haluatteko poikien kanssa saunaan pelin jälkeen? Voin laittaa sen päälle.

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Do you want to go to the sauna with the boys after the game? I can switch it on.”
This is a sentence that’s dependent on context and your relationship with the poster. The action, however, shows care and concern.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

rantalentis: “beach volley”

vieriä: “to roll”

sammaloitua: “to become mossy”

osua: “to hit”

myöhäinen: “late”

viihtyä: “to enjoy”

kanssa: “with”

laittaa päälle: “to switch on “

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in Finnish

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Anne shares a song she just heard at a party, posts an image of the artist, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Ihana biisi, mitä kuuntelin eilen koko illan.
“A wonderful tune that I listened to the whole evening yesterday.”

1- Ihana biisi

First is an expression meaning “A wonderful tune.”
The first word means “wonderful” or “lovely.” The second is a colloquial word for “song.” This is used most often by young people or people in the music industry.

2- mitä kuuntelin eilen koko illan.

Then comes the phrase – “which I listened to the whole evening yesterday..”
This sentence is in the past tense. After the relative pronoun, the first word is “I listened to”. The second word is “yesterday.” The third word is “whole,” and the last word means “evening.” The last word is in the genitive case. You can change the sentence by using another indication of time.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Söpö laulaja!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Cute singer!”
Use this expression to share an opinion that agrees with the poster’s.

2- Hänen keikalle olisi kiva mennä.

Her high school friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “It would be nice to go to his gig.”
Use this expression when you also like the music and express a wish to experience the artist live.

3- Minä en ymmärrä nykymusiikkia enää ollenkaan..

Her supervisor, Hannu, uses an expression meaning – “I don’t understand contemporary music at all anymore…”
Use this expression to share an opinion that doesn’t agree with the poster’s. This is probably what an older person would comment about the music.

4- Tämä biisi on jo tosi vanha!

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “This song is already really old!”
This is another personal opinion, which is also different from the poster’s. It’s more likely the thing a younger, trendy person would say about the music.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

ihana: “lovely, wonderful”

biisi: “song”

kuunnella: “to listen”

söpö: “cute”

keikka: “gig”

nykymusiikki: “contemporary music”

ollenkaan: “at all”

tosi: “really”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. Finnish Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers in Finnish!

Juha goes to a concert, posts an image of the band, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Basso raikaa, nyt rokataan!
“The bass is blaring. Let’s rock!”

1- Basso raikaa

First is an expression meaning “The bass is blaring.”
The first word is direct from English and, naturally, means “bass.” The second word is an old verb, which means “to blare.” This refers to hearing loud music or other sounds. It’s also used almost only in the third person singular.

2- nyt rokataan!

Then comes the phrase – “let’s rock!.”
The first word means “now,” and the second is the passive tense of the verb “to rock.” You can use this expression, for example, when you’re in a fun, laidback situation with friends and are about to start an energetic activity.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Eikä! Mahtavaa!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “No way! That’s great!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic.

2- Ostit kuitenkin varmasti korvatulpat.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Nonetheless, you surely bought earplugs.”
Use this expression if you think the music is too loud and not good for a person’s hearing. It’s a suggestion to the poster.

3- Tuun ensi kerralla mukaan!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “I’m coming along next time!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling eager to join the poster next time.

4- Älä riehu liikaa…

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t rave too much…”
This comment is expressing a concern for the poster’s wellbeing.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

raikua: “to blare”

rokata: “to rock”

eikä: “no way”

kuitenkin: “nonetheless”

varmasti: “surely”

korvatulpat: “ear plugs”

ensi kerralla: “next time”

riehua: “to rave”

If a friend posted something about a concert , which phrase would you use?

6. Talking about an Unfortunate Accident in Finnish

Oh dear. You broke something by accident. Use these Finnish phrases to start a thread on social media. Or maybe just to let your friends know why you are not contacting them!

Anne accidentally breaks her mobile phone, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Voi itku, kännykkä on mäsänä! Minut tavoittaa toistaiseksi siis vain somen ja sähköpostin kautta.
“Oh no, my phone is smashed! For now, you can only reach me through social media and e-mail.”

1- Voi itku, kännykkä on mäsänä!

First is an expression meaning “Oh no, my mobile phone is smashed! .”
The first two words of the sentence are a phrase expressing frustration and vexation when encountering a surprising, negative incident. The first word means “oh,” and the second word means “cry.” The third word is a kind of a nickname, a common colloquial name for a mobile phone. The last word of the sentence is a spoken language word for something that is broken or shattered.

2- Minut tavoittaa toistaiseksi siis vain somen ja sähköpostin kautta.

Then comes the phrase – “So for now, you can reach me only through social media and e-mail..”
Social media is commonly referred to in Finland using the first two initials of each word: S-O and M-E.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Mitä tapahtui?

Her boyfriend, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “What happened?”
Use this expression if you would like more information about the incident the poster describes.

2- Voi ei! Korvaako vakuutus?

Her friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Oh no! Does the insurance cover it?”
Use this expression to show you are feeling sorry for the poster about the incident, and want to know more details.

3- Voi miten kurjaa!

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, how miserable!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling sympathy for the poster’s plight.

4- Siis tuhosit taas yhden puhelimen. Aikamoinen terminaattori.

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “So you destroyed another phone yet again. Quite the terminator.”
Use this expression to employ a bit of sarcasm in a humorous way.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

itku: “cry”

kännykkä: “mobile phone”

mäsä: “broken”

some: “social media”

sähköposti: “e-mail”

korvata: “to compensate”

vakuutus: “insurance”

aikamoinen: “quite the”

If a friend posted something about having broken something by accident, which phrase would you use?

So, now you know how to describe an accident in Finnish. Well done!

7. Chat about Your Boredom on Social Media in Finnish

Sometimes, we’re just bored with how life goes. And to alleviate the boredom, we write about it on social media. Add some excitement to your posts by addressing your friends and followers in Finnish!

Juha gets bored at home, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Kuolen tylsyyteen… pakko keksiä jotakin tekemistä!
“I’m dying of boredom… I must come up with something to do!”

1- Kuolen tylsyyteen…

First is an expression meaning “I’m dying of boredom….”
The first word simply means “I am dying.” The second one means “of boredom.” This phrase isn’t meant seriously, of course; it’s just a playful exaggeration to say an experience is unbearable.

2- pakko keksiä jotakin tekemistä!

Then comes the phrase – “I must come up with something to do!”
The first word is a noun for “compulsion.” Together with a verb, it can be used to express that you must do something. This expression is used relatively often in Finnish conversations.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Tuu korjaamaan mun pyörä!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Come and fix my bike!”
Use this expression to joke with the poster and their situation.

2- Olisiko tänään hyvä päivä pihatöille?

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Would today be a good day for yardwork?”
This is another expression that could be meant as a joke, or, in this context, perhaps the girlfriend is a bit serious about the suggestion?!

3- Aina voi opiskella!

His supervisor, Hannu, uses an expression meaning – “You can always study!”
Use this expression to suggest another activity for the poster.

4- Ota kerrankin vain rennosti! Katso joku hyvä elokuva?

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “For once, just take it easy! Maybe watch a good movie?”
Use this expression to suggest a leisurely activity to alleviate the poster’s boredom.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kuolla: “to die”

tylsyys: “boredom”

pakko: “must”

tekeminen: “doing”

korjata: “to fix”

pihatyöt: “yardwork”

ottaa rennosti: “to take easy”

elokuva: “movie”

If a friend posted something about being bored, which phrase would you use?

Still bored? Share another feeling and see if you can start a conversation!

8. Exhausted? Share It on Social Media in Finnish

Sitting in public transport after work, feeling like chatting online? Well, converse in Finnish about how you feel, and let your friends join in!

Anne feels exhausted after a long day at work, posts an image of herself looking tired, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Vitsi mikä päivä! Aivot ei toimi enää ollenkaan. Kauhea nälkä.
“Oh man, what a day! My brain doesn’t function at all anymore. So hungry.”

1- Vitsi mikä päivä! Aivot ei toimi enää ollenkaan.

First is an expression meaning “Oh man what a day! My brain doesn’t function at all anymore.”
The first two words of the first sentence, together with a noun, are a common way to sigh and exclaim something. Literally, the first word means “joke,” but in this context it’s emphasizing how awful or good something has been. Also, it’s relatively common in Finland to say one’s brain is not working anymore when one is very tired.

2- Kauhea nälkä.

Then comes the phrase – “So hungry…”
The first word means “terrible,” and the second word means “hunger” or “famine.” This is an often heard phrase from someone who is very hungry. You can also replace the second word with another noun, for example “fatigue”, “väsymys”, to express how terribly tired you are.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Pistä Juha kokkaamaan ja antamaan sinulle niska-hartiahieronta!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Make Juha cook and give you a neck and shoulder massage!”
Use this suggestion to show you’re caring about the poster’s predicament.

2- Palautumisia! Yritä ottaa rauhallisemmin.

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Try to recover! Try to take it easy.”
These are also warmhearted, well-intended advice to the poster.

3- Älä valita vaan tee ruokaa.

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t complain, just make some food.”
Use this expression to joke with the poster in a somewhat bossy, insulting way. Probably best reserved only for people who knows you well enough to understand you’re joking.

4- Huomenna otat kevyemmin.

Her boyfriend, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “Tomorrow you’re going to take it (more) lightly.”
Use this expression to show you care about the poster’s situation, and to make a positive, supportive suggestion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

aivot: “brains”

toimia: “to function”

ollenkaan: “at all”

kauhea: “terrible”

nälkä: “hunger”

Palautumisia!: “Try to recover!”

ottaa rauhallisesti: “to take it easy”

ottaa kevyesti: “to take it lightly”

If a friend posted something about being exhausted, which phrase would you use?

Now you know how to say you’re exhausted in Finnish! Well done.

9. Talking about an Injury in Finnish

So life happens, and you manage to hurt yourself during a soccer game. Very Tweet-worthy! Here’s how to do it in Finnish.

Juha suffers a serious injury, posts an image of himself in a cast, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Nyt kävi näin. Ainakin neljä viikkoa kipsissä. Aika parantaa haavat, eikö niin?
“So, this happened. At least four weeks in a cast. Time heals wounds, doesn’t it?”

1- Nyt kävi näin. Ainakin neljä viikkoa kipsissä.

First is an expression meaning – “So this happened. At least four weeks in a cast.”
The first sentence says something significant has happened, in a relatively ironic, dryly humorous way. Literally, it means “now this happened”.

2- Aika parantaa haavat, eikö niin?

Then comes the phrase – “Time heals wounds, doesn’t it?.”
The first part is a common and traditional proverb, literally meaning that all healing takes time. It can be used when something bad has happened to someone, to comfort them and to remind that things will get better gradually.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hurjannäköistä!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Looks fierce!”
Use this expression to show your sympathy with modern slang. It means that the injury looks serious.

2- Voi itku! Sattuuko paljon?

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Oh no! Does it hurt much?”
Use this expression to show you are feeling sorry for the poster, and want to know more details.

3- Mitä möhlit tällä kertaa?

His girlfriend’s nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “So what did you blunder this time?”
Use this expression to be sympathetic in a slightly sarcastic, humorous way. Again, probably best not to use this with someone who doesn’t know your style well.

4- Harmin paikka. Nyt vain paljon lepoa!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Such a pity. Now just rest a lot!”
Use this expression to show sympathy and to make a supportive suggestion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

nyt: “now”

aika: “hour, time”

parantaa: “to heal”

haava: “wound”

sattua: “to hurt”

möhliä: “to blunder”

tällä kertaa: “this time”

lepo: “rest”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in Finnish

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your disappointment about this with your friends!

Anne feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Ihan kamala keli! Piti ajaa kieli keskellä suuta.
“Just horrible weather! I had to drive super careful.”

1- Ihan kamala keli!

First is an expression meaning “Just horrible weather!”
The second word means “terrible” or “horrible,” and the third word means “weather”. The first word is an adverb meaning “right” or “quite”. Here it underlines just how terrible the weather is.

2- Piti ajaa kieli keskellä suuta.

Then comes the phrase – “I had to drive super careful”.
This sentence literally means “I had to drive with my tongue in the middle of my mouth.” This is an expression of that means that you really have to pay attention, concentrate on something, and be very careful.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Onneksi olet ehjänä perillä.

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Luckily you made it home in one piece.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling grateful about the poster’s safety.

2- Hui! Onneksi pääsit turvallisesti kotiin! Minä lensin jo aamulla nenälleni.

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Yikes! Fortunately, you got home safely! I fell flat on my face already in the morning…”
Use this expression to show empathy with the poster, and share a personal detail too.

3- Täydellinen sää harjoitella jäällä ajamista.

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “It’s the perfect weather to practice driving on ice.”
Use this expression to partake in the conversation by sharing information.

4- Olkaahan kaikki varovaisia tänään liikenteessä.

Her boyfriend, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “Please be careful in traffic today, everyone.”
Use this expression to remind everyone of something for their own safety.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kamala: “horrible”

keli: “weather”

kieli: “tongue”

onneksi: “fortunately”

lentää nenälleen: “to fall flat on one’s face (lit. to fly on one’s nose)”

harjoitella: “to practice”

varovainen: “careful”

liikenne: “traffic”

How would you comment in Finnish when a friend is disappointed?

Not all posts need to be about a negative feeling, though!

11. Talking about Your Relationship Status in Finnish

Don’t just change your relationship status in Settings, talk about it!

Juha changes his status to “In a relationship”, posts an image of him and Anne, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Askel eteenpäin. Tässä on se kauniimpi osapuoli.
“One step forward. Here is my more beautiful half.”

1- Askel eteenpäin.

First is an expression meaning “One step forward. .”
The first word means “step,” and the second word means “forward.” You can use this expression when you’ve made progress with something.

2- Tässä on se kauniimpi osapuoli.

Then comes the phrase – “Here is the more beautiful half..”
This is a relatively common phrase in Finland, as Finnish men sometimes refer to their girlfriends or wives as being the more beautiful person of the couple.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hienoa! Onnea!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Great! Congratulations!”
Use this expression to show your enthusiasm about the news, and congratulate the couple in a traditional way.

2- No vihdoinkin!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Well finally!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling playful and frivolous, but positive about the news.

3- Tätä on odotettu… Onnea ihanat!

His high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “This was expected… Congratulations lovelies!”
Use this expression to show your approval of the couple’s new status, and congratulate them using a term of endearment.

4- Kiitos kaikille ja kiitos kulta kehuista!

His girlfriend, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Thank you, everyone. And thank you, sweety, for the praise!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling appreciative of the posters’ comments, as well as your partner’s praise.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

askel: “step”

eteenpäin: “forward”

kaunis: “beautiful”

vihdoinkin: “finally”

odottaa: “to wait”

ihana: “lovely”

kulta: “sweety”

kehu: “praise”

What would you say in Finnish when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in Finnish

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in Finnish.

Anne is getting married today, so she leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Yllätys!! Karkasimme vihille!
“Surprise!! We eloped!”

1- Yllätys!!

First is an expression meaning “Surprise!!”
You can use this word in any kind of situation where you want to share unexpected news.

2- Karkasimme vihille!

Then comes the phrase – “We eloped!”
The first word literally means “we escaped.” The second word means “to marriage.” Therefore, this phrase can be used when someone has gotten married without telling anyone.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Olen virallisesti maailman onnellisin mies.

Her husband, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “I’m officially the happiest man in the world.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling happy with your marriage partner.

2- Ette ole tosissanne!! Onnea hurjasti!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “You’re not serious!! Huge congratulations!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling surprised by the news, but are still excited and pleased about it.

3- Ihanaa! Kaunis morsian, upea puku ja komea sulhanen!

Her friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Wonderful! Beautiful bride, gorgeous dress, and handsome groom!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling appreciative and happy for the bride about the news, as well as the groom’s appearance.

4- Ohhoh! Lämpöiset onnittelut minultakin!

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Wow! Warm congratulations from me as well!”
This is also an expression of happy surprise, and a more traditional congratulation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

yllätys: “surprise”

karata vihille: “to elope”

virallisesti: “officially”

onnellinen: “happy”

olla tosissaan: “to be serious”

upea: “gorgeous”

morsian: “bride”

sulhanen: “groom”

How would you respond in Finnish to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in Finnish

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in Finnish.

Juha finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Vauvauutisia! Isimies on onnellinen!

“Baby news! Daddyman is happy!”

1- Vauvauutisia!

First is an expression meaning “Baby news!”
This word is comprised of two parts, the first one meaning “a baby” and the second one meaning “news.” This word can be used when someone is announcing a pregnancy or the arrival of a new baby.

2- Isimies on onnellinen!

Then comes the phrase – “Daddyman is happy!”
The first word in this sentence, meaning “daddyman”, is a neologism. It affectionately or ironically describes a man who’s a father, and is a quite popular word in social media, especially for people in their 20s or 30s.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Onpa mahtava uutinen heti viikon aluksi, paljon onnea!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Such great news right at the beginning of the week, congratulations!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling very happy about the news, and congratulate the expecting parents.

2- Olen niin kovin onnellinen teidän puolestanne. Halauksia!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “I am so very happy for you. Hugs!”
Another expression of happiness about the news.

3- Onnea murut!

His high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations sweeties!”
This is a short congratulation, using a term of endearment.

4- Vau, onnea teille!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Wow, congratulations to you!”
As in the previous lesson, this expression of happy surprise and a congratulation is appropriate in this situation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

vauva: “baby”

isi: “daddy”

onnellinen: “happy”

uutinen: “news”

kovin: “very”

teidän puolestanne: “on your behalf (pl.)”

halaus: “hug”

muru: “sweety”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting Finnish Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in Finnish.

Anne plays with her baby, posts an image of the cutie pie, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Mammalla on unet vähissä, mutta se ei haittaa kun vauva on tämmöinen rakkauspakkaus.
“Mama doesn’t get enough sleep, but it doesn’t matter because the baby is such a love package.”

1- Mammalla on unet vähissä

First is an expression meaning “Mama doesn’t get enough sleep.”
Literally, this sentence means “Mama has a short supply of sleep”. Sleep, dreams, and so on are sometimes treated as substances in the Finnish language. It’s something you can have a lot or little of. Modern mothers also sometimes playfully refer to themselves with the word “mama.”

2- mutta se ei haittaa kun vauva on tämmöinen rakkauspakkaus.

Then comes the phrase – “but it doesn’t matter as the baby is such a love package..”
The last word, “love package”, is a commonly-used, playful word in social media to describe someone sweet, cute, and lovable. Usually it’s used in reference to babies, little children, or pets.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Voi kun pääsisin pian halailemaan häntä! Niin suloinen pikkuinen.

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Oh I wish I could come and cuddle him soon! Such a sweet little one.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling very warmhearted and appreciative of the baby.

2- Ihan Juhan näköinen!

Her college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “He looks just like Juha!”
Use this expression to share your opinion about who the baby resembles.

3- Voi miten suloinen hän on.

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Oh how cute he is.”
Use this expression to indicate that you also feel positive about the baby.

4- Apua miten söpö!

Her friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “(Help) how cute!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling almost overwhelmed by the baby’s charms.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

mamma: “mama, mamma”

uni: “sleep”

vähissä: “in short supply”

tämmöinen: “of this short”

suloinen: “cute, sweet”

pikkuinen: “the little one”

jonkun näköinen: “looking like someone”

söpö: “cute”

If your friend is the mother or father, which phrase would you use on social media?

Congratulations, you know the basics of chatting about a baby in Finnish! But we’re not done with families yet…

15. Finnish Comments about a Family Reunion

Family reunions – some you love, some you hate. Share about it on your feed.

Juha goes to a family gathering, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Pitkästä aikaa juhlat koko suvun kesken!
“A party with the whole family after (such) a long time!”

1- Pitkästä aikaa

First is an expression meaning “After a long time.”
This expression means “after a long time” or “long time no see.” This is a bit of a strange phrase, as the first word is the elative case of the word “long,” and the second word is the partitive case of the word “time”. Therefore, literally the expression would be “from the long time.” This expression can be used whenever something is happening after a long pause – be it meeting other people and greeting them with this expression, or simply explaining that you’re going somewhere after a long time.

2- juhlat koko suvun kesken

Then comes the phrase – “a party with the whole family.”
The first word means “party”; the second word means “whole”; the third word in this context means “the extended family” – i.e. aunts, uncles, etc., – and the last word in this context means “amongst.” In some cases, the last word can mean “midst” or “inter-” something.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hauskoja juhlia!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Have a fun party!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted.

2- Onpa teillä paljon ruokaa! Tuokaa mulle ylimääräiset!

His high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “My, how much food you have! Bring me the extra!”
Use these phrases to be humorous and want to participate in the conversation with funny suggestions.

3- Onneksi pääsin mukaan. Mukava tutustua sukulaisiisi!

His wife, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “Luckily I could come too. It’s nice to get to know your relatives!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling good about being part of the celebrations.

4- Suku on pahin, vai miten se meni?

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Family is the worst, or how did it go?”
Use this expression to use sarcasm in a humorous way.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

pitkästä aikaa: “after a long time”

suku: “family”

kesken: “amongst”

ruoka: “food”

ylimääräinen: “extra”

onneksi: “luckily”

tutustua: “to meet, to get to know”

pahin: “worst”

Which phrase is your favorite to comment on a friend’s photo about a family reunion?

16. Post about Your Travel Plans in Finnish

So, the family are going on holiday. Do you know how to post and leave comments in Finnish about being at the airport, waiting for a flight?

Anne waits at the airport for her flight, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Aikainen lintu madon nappaa. Tänään oli aikainen herätys, mutta tämä on sen arvoista!
“Early bird catches the worm. It was an early wake-up today, but this is worth it!”

1- Aikainen lintu madon nappaa.

First is an expression meaning “Early bird catches the worm..”
This traditional proverb is also well-known in Finland. The first word means “early”; the second word means “bird”; the third word is the genitive case of the word “worm”, and the fourth word is the verb “to catch” in the third person singular. You can use this proverb in situations where you have to wake up early or go somewhere early in order to achieve something.

2- Tänään oli aikainen herätys,

Then comes the phrase – “It was an early wake-up today”.
The first word means “today”, the second word is the past tense of the verb ‘to be’, the third word means “early” and the fourth word is “wake-up”.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Oho, minne matka?

Her college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Wow, where are you traveling to?”
Use this expression to show you are feeling curious about the poster’s plans for holiday.

2- Hyi, matoja – ei kiitos. Mutta ihanaa reissua!!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Ugh, worms – no thanks. But have a wonderful trip!!”
Use this expression to be funny, but also positive.

3- Nauti!

Her friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Enjoy!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic.

4- Koita nukkua lentokoneessa.

Her supervisor, Hannu, uses an expression meaning – “Try to sleep on the plane.”
Use this expression to give advice you think the poster might find valuable.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

aikainen: “early”

herätys: “wake-up”

sen arvoinen: “worth it”

minne: “where”

matka: “road, way, journey”

hyi: “ugh”

koittaa: “to try”

lentokone: “airplane”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in Finnish!

Hopefully the rest of the trip is better!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in Finnish

So maybe you’re strolling around at a local market, and find something interesting. Here are some handy Finnish phrases!

Juha finds an unusual item at a local market, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Löysin kotimaisen design-klassikon vitosella kirppikseltä. Ei paha.
“I found a domestically designed classic for a fiver at a flea market. Not bad.”

1- Löysin kotimaisen design-klassikon vitosella kirppikseltä.

First is an expression meaning “I found a domestically designed classic for a fiver at a flea market..”
People, especially young adults, in Finland love to treasure hunt in flea markets. Domestic design classics found at flea markets are considered to be the ultimate treasures! The second to last word here is kind of a nickname for five euros, and the last word is a commonly used abbreviation for “flea market.”

2- Ei paha.

Then comes the phrase – “Not bad.”
A commonly used expression, especially among young adults and young men, “not bad” is used to express subdued and cool satisfaction and contentment. Sometimes it’s used with a sarcastic or ironic tone.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ihana aarre!

His wife, Anne, uses an expression meaning – “A wonderful treasure!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic about the find.

2- Vautsi! Tuo valaisin oli tosi edullinen löytö!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Wow! That lamp was a very affordable find!”
Another optimistic, positive comment.

3- Vanhaa roinaa…

His nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Old junk…”
Use this expression to joke a bit with the poster, and/or if you are good friends and know one another well.

4- Vanhemmillani on ollut samanlainen valaisin. Arvokas esine!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “My parents had a similar lamp. A valuable object!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

löytää: “to find”

kotimainen: “domestic”

design-klassikko: “design classic”

vitonen: “fiver”

kirppis: “flea market”

aarre: “treasure”

edullinen: “affordable”

roina: “junk”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in Finnish

Let your friends know what you’re up to in Finnish, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Anne visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Pitkäaikainen haave toteutui tänään. Tämän lisäksi tiedossa aurinkoa, palmuja ja drinkkejä!
“A long-time dream came true today. In addition to this, there will be sun, palm trees, and drinks!”

1- Pitkäaikainen haave toteutui tänään.

First is an expression meaning “A long-term dream came true today..”
The first word is actually comprised of two parts, “long” and “time.” You can use this word to explain something has been going on for a long time.

2- Tämän lisäksi tiedossa aurinkoa, palmuja ja drinkkejä!

Then comes the phrase – “In addition to this, there will be sun, palm trees and drinks!”
Autumn and winter in Finland is quite dark, long, and cold. Therefore, Finns love to travel to somewhere warm and sunny during these seasons. It’s common to brag about holiday leisures on social media. It’s also common to see other Finns reminding the holiday-goers about the miserable weather back home.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hieno paikka ja hieno kuva!

Her college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “A great place and a great picture!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling appreciative of the poster’s photo and their destination.

2- Ja täällä sataa räntää.

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “And it’s sleeting here.”
Use this expression to share information about your own weather, if it’s snowing.

3- Älä unohda tuliaisia!

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t forget souvenirs!”
Use this expression if you expect a gift from the poster when they’re back.

4- Ensi kerralla minä tulen mukaan.

Her husband, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “Next time I’m coming with you.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling keen to join the poster on the next trip.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

pitkäaikainen: “long-term”

haave: “dream”

toteutua: “to come true”

aurinko: “sun”

paikka: “place”

räntä: “sleet”

tuliainen: “souvenir”

ensi kerralla: “next time”

Which phrase would you prefer when a friend posts about a famous landmark?

Share your special places with the world. Or simply post about your relaxing experiences.

19. Post about Relaxing Somewhere in Finnish

So you’re doing nothing, yet you enjoy that too? Tell your social media friends about it in Finnish!

Juha relaxes at a beautiful place, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Viikonloppu alkaa rannalta. Kyllä nyt kelpaa.
“The weekend begins at the beach. This will certainly do.”

1- Viikonloppu alkaa rannalta.

First is an expression meaning “The weekend begins at the beach..”
For Finns, Friday is perhaps the most long-awaited day of the week. In summertime, many Finns head to beaches, parks, or their summerhouses right after work on Fridays to enjoy the lovely weather and relax.

2- Kyllä nyt kelpaa.

Then comes the phrase – “This will certainly do..”
The last word of this sentence is a verb meaning “to pass muster.” This demotic phrase, even though it literally sounds modest, actually means something is exceptionally nice.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Tulossa mahtava viikonloppu!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “It’s going to be an amazing weekend!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic about the weekend’s prospects.

2- Mites huomenna? Menetkö taas rannalle? Voinko tulla mukaan?

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “How about tomorrow? Are you going to the beach again? Can I tag along?”
Use these questions to discuss possible plans with the poster.

3- Hieno paikka.

His supervisor, Hannu, uses an expression meaning – “A fine place.”
Use this just to comment on the destination.

4- Mukavaa viikonloppua!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Have a nice weekend!”
Use this expression to wish the poster a good weekend.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

viikonloppu: “weekend”

ranta: “beach “

kelvata: “to do, to be good enough”

mites: “how about (abbr.)”

mahtava: “amazing”

huomenna: “tomorrow”

hieno: “fine”

mukava: “nice”

Which phrase would you use to comment a friend’s feed?

The break was great, but now it’s time to return home.

20. What to Say in Finnish When You’re Home Again

And you’re back! What will you share with friends and followers?

Anne returns home after a vacation, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Oma koti kullan kallis! Ihanaa olla taas kotona.
“Home sweet home! It’s wonderful to be back home again.”

1- Oma koti kullan kallis!

First is an expression meaning “Home sweet home!”
Literally, this phrase means “own home is worthy of gold.” It’s a traditional proverb that’s well-known in Finland.

2- Ihanaa olla taas kotona.

Then comes the phrase – “It’s wonderful to be back home again…”
Even though Finns love to travel, they also love to stay home. House parties and get-togethers at people’s houses are very common in Finland, as the home is a place for relaxing and enjoying.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Tervetuloa takaisin!

Her husband, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “Welcome back!”
Use this expression to make the poster feel welcome and at home from their trip.

2- Toivottavasti oli kiva reissu.

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “I hope you had a nice trip.”
Use this expression simply to partake in the conversation with positive comments. Sometimes this can be a good conversation starter too.

3- Kiva että olet taas täällä!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “(It’s) nice that you’re here again!”
Use this expression to share your positive feelings about the poster’s return from holiday.

4- Missä tuliaiset?

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Where’s the souvenirs?”
Use this expression in a joking manner, continuing the theme of expecting a gift from the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

oma: “own”

koti: “home”

kulta: “gold”

kallis: “dear”

tervetuloa: “welcome”

toivottavasti: “hopefully”

reissu: “trip”

kiva: “nice”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media during a public holiday such as May Day?

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in Finnish

It’s a public holiday and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Juha is attending a May Day picnic, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Vappupöytä koreana! Ullanlinnanmäellä ollaan!
“(The) May Day table is dashing! We are at Ullanlinnanmäki!”

1- Vappupöytä koreana!

First is an expression meaning “May Day table is dashing!.”
The first word is a combination of “May Day” – a popular spring festival on the 1st of May – and “table”. The word means the food offered at the festive May Day table. Having a festive picnic on the 1st of May is a tradition in Finland. The table isn’t always an actual table, but a blanket on the ground!

The second word means “is dashing.” This expression is used especially when describing how abundant and versatile food is offered.

2- Ullanlinnanmäellä ollaan!

Then comes the phrase – “We are at Ullanlinnanmäki!.”
The most popular place to gather for a May Day picnic is the Ullanlinnamäki hill in Kaivopuisto park in Helsinki. It’s also known by its nickname “Ullis”.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hauskaa vappua!

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Happy May Day!”
This is the traditional May Day greeting.

2- Säästäkää mulle nakkeja!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Please spare some wieners for me!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling frivolous, just to partake in the conversation. Unless you’re serious about the instruction that some wieners be saved for you!

3- Ulliksella nähdään!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “See you at Ullis!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic.

4- Kohta nähdään. Tuon vappumunkkeja tullessani – ellen syö itse kaikkia!

His high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “See you soon. I’m bringing May Day donuts with me – unless I eat all of them by myself!”
Use this expression to be funny.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

vappupöytä: “May Day table”

korea: “dashing”

säästää: “to spare”

mulle: “for me (spoken lang.)”

nakki: “wiener”

vappu: “May Day”

kohta: “soon”

vappumunkki: “May Day donut”

If a friend posted something about a holiday, which phrase would you use?

May Day and other public commemoration days are not the only special ones to remember!

22. Posting about a Birthday on Social Media in Finnish

Your friend or you are celebrating your birthday in an unexpected way. Be sure to share this on social media!

Anne goes to her birthday party, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Yllätyssynttärit! Kiitos kaikki ihanat!
“A surprise birthday party! Thank you all, you lovelies!”

1- Yllätyssynttärit!

First is an expression meaning “A surprise birthday party!.”
This word is a combination of two words: “surprise” and “birthday party”. You can combine the first part, “suprise”, with other nouns to create a word that describes something being unexpected.

2- Kiitos kaikki ihanat!

Then comes the phrase – “Thank you all you lovelies!”
Especially young Finnish people, and females in particular, refer to their friends with numerous terms of endearment. The last word of this phrase is one of those. In this case, the adjective “lovely” has become a noun.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Voi miten ihanaa! Hyvää syntymäpäivää!

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Oh how wonderful! Happy Birthday!”
Use this expression to congratulate the poster.

2- Paljon onnea vielä, kaunotar!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations again, beauty!”
Use this expression to be supportive and loving.

3- Sinä vain kaunistut vuosi vuodelta!

Her husband, Juha, uses an expression meaning – “You are becoming more beautiful year by year!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling very appreciative of your partner’s looks.

4- Ällöttävää. Onneksi ei tarvinnut osallistua.

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “Yucky. Fortunately I didn’t have to participate.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling cynical, hopefully in a joking manner.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

yllätys: “surprise”

synttärit: “birthday”

kiitos: “thank you”

ihana: “lovely”

syntymäpäivä: “birthday”

kaunotar: “beauty”

kaunistua: “to become beautiful”

ällöttävä: “yucky”

If a friend posted something about birthday greetings, which phrase would you use?

23. Talking about New Year on Social Media in Finnish

Impress your friends with your Finnish New Year’s wishes this year. Learn the phrases easily!

Juha celebrates the New Year, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Poks ja kippis! Hyvää uutta vuotta ystävät!
“Pop and cheers! Happy New Year, friends!”

1- Poks ja kippis!

First is an expression meaning “Pop and cheers!”
The first word is an onomatopoeic word describing the sound of a champagne bottle opening. The second word is the Finnish equivalent for “cheers”. Opening a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne at midnight on New Year’s eve is a tradition for the majority of Finnish people.

2- Hyvää uutta vuotta ystävät!

Then comes the phrase – “Happy New Year friends!”
This is a very common way to wish Happy New Year to your friends. The first three words, “good,” “new,” and “year,” are all in the partitive case. The last word means “friends”.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Onnellista uutta vuotta!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling friendly.

2- Hauskaa uutta vuotta!

His high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year!”
Use this expression to greet people on this day in a traditional way.

3- Kippis uudelle vuodelle!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Cheers for the New Year!”
This is a more informal New Year greeting and wish.

4- Hyvää uutta vuotta! Teitkö uuden vuoden lupauksia?

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year! Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?”
Use these phrases when you want to start a conversation about New Year resolutions.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kippis: “cheers”

hyvä: “good”

uusi vuosi: “New Year”

hauska: “fun”

ystävä: “friend”

tehdä: “to make”

uuden vuoden lupaus: “New Year’s resolution”

Which is your favorite phrase to post on social media during New Year?

But before New Year’s Day comes another important day…

24. What to Post on Christmas Day in Finnish

What will you say in Finnish about Christmas?

Anne celebrates Christmas with her family, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anne’s post.

Hyvää joulua ystävät ja kiitos ihanista joulukorteista! Itse tuin joulukorttirahoilla tänä vuonna saimaannorppia!
“Merry Christmas friends and thank you for the lovely Christmas cards! This year I supported the Saimaa Ringed Seals with the Christmas Card money instead!”

1- Hyvää joulua ystävät ja kiitos ihanista joulukorteista!

First is an expression meaning “Merry Christmas friends and thank you for the lovely Christmas cards!”
It is an old tradition to send Christmas greeting cards to friends and family members in Finland. Recently, it has become more popular to donate the money normally spent on Christmas cards to some charity instead, and send one’s Christmas wishes through social media.

2- Itse tuin joulukorttirahoilla tänä vuonna saimaannorppia!

Then comes the phrase – “This year I supported the Saimaa Ringed Seal with the Christmas Card money instead…”
The Saimaa ringed seal is one of the most endangered animals in the world. The only existing population of these seals is found in Lake Saimaa, Finland. Recently many Finns have shown the urge to protect these animals through donations.

COMMENTS

In response, Anne’s friends leave some comments.

1- Lepoa ja rauhaa, niin sinulle, Juhalle, kuin saimaannorpillekin!

Her neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Rest and tranquility, to you, Juha, as well as the Saimaa Ringed Seals!”
Use this expression to wish the poster, as well as the seals a peaceful and relaxed Christmas.

2- Hyvää joulua!

Her high school friend, Venla, uses an expression meaning – “Merry Christmas!”
This is the traditional Christmas wish.

3- Koska saan joululahjani?

Her nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “When will I get my Christmas present?”
Use this expression to be funny in a sarcastic way.

4- Rentouttavia joulunpyhiä!

Her college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “Have a relaxing Christmas holiday!”
This is a wish for a restful holiday.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Hyvää joulua: “Merry Christmas”

joulukortti: “Christmas card”

joulukorttirahat: “Christmas card money”

saimaannorppa: “Saimaa Ringed Seal”

lepo: “rest”

rauha: “tranquility”

joululahja: “Christmas present”

rentouttava: “relaxing”

If a friend posted something about Christmas greetings, which phrase would you use?

So, the festive season is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in Finnish

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which Finnish phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Juha celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Juha’s post.

Toinen hääpäivä, tällä kertaa auringon alla. Ja vauvan kanssa!
“The second wedding anniversary, this time under the sun. And with a baby!”

1- Toinen hääpäivä

First is an expression meaning “second wedding anniversary.”
The second word, meaning “anniversary” is actually comprised of two words: “wedding” and “day”.

2- auringon alla

Then comes the phrase – “under the sun.”
This phrase, “under the sun,” is often used when someone has traveled somewhere abroad where it’s hot and sunny.

COMMENTS

In response, Juha’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ihanaa lomaa ja hääpäivää koko porukalle!

His friend, Virpi, uses an expression meaning – “Have a wonderful holiday and wedding anniversary the whole lot of you!”
This is a warm and friendly wish for the couple on their anniversary.

2- Oltiin samassa paikassa pari vuotta sitten. Mahtavaa lomaa!

His college friend, Leo, uses an expression meaning – “We were at that same place a couple of years ago. Have an awesome holiday!”
Use this expression to share some personal information, and wish the couple a good break.

3- Aurinko polttaa.

His nephew, Elias, uses an expression meaning – “The sun burns.”
Use this expression to partake in the conversation with a negative comment, trying to be funny. It’s anybody’s guess whether or not the comment will be considered humorous.

4- Mukavaa hääpäivää! Kuinka kauan olette matkalla?

His neighbor, Ellen, uses an expression meaning – “Have a nice wedding anniversary! How long will you be traveling?”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted and want to know more information.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

hääpäivä: “wedding day, anniversary”

tällä kertaa: “this time”

vauva: “baby”

kanssa: “with”

loma: “vacation”

porukka: “lot”

polttaa: “to burn”

kuinka kauan: “How long”

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn Finnish! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!

Learn how to apologize in Finnish – fast and accurately! FinnishPod101 makes it easy for you to make amends. Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your Finnish Skills! (Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. Common Ways to Say Sorry in Finnish
2. How To Refuse Something Politely in Finnish
3. Audio Lesson – Survival Phrases “How to Say Sorry”
4. Why You Will NOT Be Sorry For Learning Finnish through FinnishPod101

1. Common Ways to Say Sorry in Finnish

Nobody’s perfect, not anywhere in the world. Everybody makes mistakes, and does and says regrettable things. Then it’s time to apologize, as saying ‘I’m sorry’ is not in vain. It can be very healing! Did you know that hearing a sincerely-meant apology can have a noticeable effect on a person’s body? Research has shown that it slows down breathing and heart rate, and even causes a drop in blood pressure.

Sometimes we cannot fix what’s broken, but we can make the experience a bit easier for anyone who suffered on account of our thoughtless actions or words.

Here are a number of ways to say sorry in Finnish. In any language, just make sure you really mean it! An insincere apology will not go down well with anyone.

Olen pahoillani.
I’m sorry

These words should precede anything else you have to say. Use them sincerely and whenever you are clearly in the wrong. Acknowledging your guilt and apologizing for any wrongdoing will lift your spirits too! Often, remorse can eat away at us, and a simple ‘I’m sorry’, in Finnish or any other language, can open the door for forgiveness and resolution of a bad situation. It can be a true gift!

Haluaisin pyytää anteeksi.
I would like to apologize.

This is a slightly more formal way to say ‘I’m sorry’ in Finnish. Use this phrase if you’re addressing your superiors and/or elders.

Pyydän vilpittömästi anteeksi.
I sincerely apologize.

If you feel strongly about your apology, this is another slightly more formal phrase to use. Keep it handy for graver errors, or you might come across as insincere!

En tee sitä enää.
I won’t do it again.

A promise you can only make if you intend to keep it! Few things feel as bad as having to hear repeated apologies from someone for the same behavior – it means the ‘sorry’ is not sincere. Don’t be that person!

Pidän huolen siitä, etten tee tätä virhettä uudelleen.
I’ll make sure not to make this mistake again.

A beautifully strong phrase! Again, say this only if you mean it – not just in the moment, but always! A bit more formal, this is an especially good phrase to use when apologizing to superiors and/or elders. It will make an especially good impression at the workplace, where accountability is an excellent quality to display!

En tarkoittanut sitä.
I didn’t mean that.

This is a tricky one… What did you mean, then?! Clear up any confusion with sincerity. Also, use this phrase only if the harm done or mistake made was due to an accident, and then admit to thoughtlessness on your part, if appropriate.

Se on minun syyni.
It’s my fault.

If the fault is really yours, own up to it. You will gain respect in the eyes of others! However, don’t take the blame when it’s not truly yours. It won’t be good for you, and ultimately you will not be respected much for it.

Olen pahoillani siitä, että olen itsekäs.
I’m sorry for being selfish.

This is a good phrase to keep handy, especially for your close relationships. It is difficult to admit you’re selfish, isn’t it?! However, it’s good to know when to be honest. We get used to our loved ones, which often means we forget that they need our good manners and unselfish behavior just as much as strangers do.

Toivottavasti annat minulle anteeksi.
I hope you will forgive me.

This is a polite and gentle wish that can smooth over many harsh feelings. It also shows that the other person’s opinion and forgiveness are important to you.

Otan täyden vastuun.
I take full responsibility.

This strong statement is similar to admitting that an error or transgression was your fault. It speaks of courage and the willingness to take remedial action. Good one to use…if you mean it!

Minun ei olisi pitänyt tehdä sitä.
I shouldn’t have done it.

This phrase is fine to use if you did or said something wrong. It shows, to an extent, your regret for having done or said what you did, and demonstrates that you understand your role in the mistake.

Anteeksi, että annan rahasi takaisin niin myöhään.
Sorry for giving your money back late.

It’s rotten to have to loan money! Yet, it’s equally rotten to have to ask for the repayment of a loan. So, do your best not to pay late in the first place, but if it can’t be helped, this would be a good phrase to use!

Älä ole vihainen minulle.
Please don’t be mad at me.

Well, this is not a very advisable phrase to use if you are clearly in the wrong. If someone is justifiably angry with you, asking them not to be mad at you would be an unfair expectation. However, if you did something wrong by accident, and if the consequences were not too serious, this request would be OK.

Anteeksi että olen myöhässä.
Sorry I’m late.

Punctuality is valued in most situations, but if you really cannot help being late, then apologize! This way you show respect for your host, and win their approval.

Pyydän anteeksi, että olin sinulle ilkeä.
I apologize for being mean to you.

Acknowledging your own meanness towards someone is no small thing, so good for you! Use this apology only if your intention is to seriously address your mean tendencies, or these words could become meaningless over time.

2. How To Refuse Something Politely in Finnish

Congratulations! Now you know how to apologize in Finnish! After you have apologized for a mistake, focus on fixing whatever you can, and don’t punish yourself over something that cannot be taken back or reversed. That’s healthy for you! Regret can eat away at the soul, and even destroy it. It is ultimately a useless emotion if it consumes you.

However, in language, we use apologies not only when we’ve transgressed or made mistakes. They come in handy in other situations too, when there has been no wrongdoing. Sometimes we need to express regret for having to refuse a gift, an offer, or an invitation. This can be somewhat tricky. Learn from specialists at FinnishPod101 about how to use the correct Finnish words for this kind of ‘sorry’!

3. Survival Phrases “How to Say Sorry”

On the run and need a quick lesson on how to say sorry in Finnish? Don’t fret, just listen and repeat! Click here for a recorded short lesson and learn how to give the perfect apology, with perfect pronunciation in Finnish. A little can go a long way, and you will sound like a native!

4. Why You Will NOT Be Sorry For Learning Finnish through FinnishPod101

Online learning is here to stay, that’s a fact. In 2015, the Digital Learning Compass Partnership released a report based on surveys to determine online enrollment trends in US institutions for higher education. Thirty percent of all their students learned online! And the number is growing! However, how can you be sure you will not regret your choice of an online language learning school? First, look at the school’s credentials and what it has to offer…

• Fun and Easy Learning: It’s a commonly-known fact that when learning is made easy and fun, student motivation rises. And as motivation rises, so does the effort to learn – what a beautiful cycle! FinnishPod101’s language learning system is designed to get you speaking from the onset. Learn at your own convenience and pace with our short, effective and fun audio podcast lessons. Our Learning Center is comprehensive and state-of-the-art, with a vibrant user community to connect to! Our lessons are recorded with native hosts and voice actors, providing a diverse range of dialects in your lessons. You can be confident that native speakers will understand you when speaking Finnish!
• Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Finnish with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Finnish dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about FinnishPod101…!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. Your can have your very own Finnish teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Finnish word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Finnish level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

After this lesson, you will know almost every ‘sorry for’ in Finnish, but don’t let it be that you’re sorry for missing a great opportunity. Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in FinnishPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Finnish!