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!

Have you ever practiced your Finnish skills by talking to Finns online? Social media and online communities offer endless opportunities to connect and chat with native speakers wherever you are in the world. However, the Finnish you come across online can be a world apart from the standard Finnish you’ve been learning. It’s often peppered with slang words, abbreviations, and acronyms that will have you scratching your head repeatedly. Dictionaries aren’t of much help with internet slang either!

Our guide will demystify Finnish internet slang terms so that whether you’re chatting with a Finnish friend on Messenger or taking part in a conversation on a Finnish subreddit, you can do so with more confidence. We’ll start with a general overview of Finnish internet slang before exploring some of the most common words and abbreviations.

Are you ready to learn about Finnish internet slang? Let’s dive right in.

Do you chat with Finnish speakers online?

Table of Contents

1. About Finnish Texting and Internet Slang
2. Finnish Internet Slang Words
3. Finnish Texting and Internet Abbreviations
4. Lopuksi

1. About Finnish Texting and Internet Slang

Nettislangi (“internet slang“) is a type of slang popularized—and sometimes coined—by internet users. It’s often wildly creative and can evolve quickly. New terms are born constantly as people interact in the fast-paced online environments of social media, discussion forums, and chat rooms. Many slang terms are used to get our messages across faster and more succinctly, while some words are coined to describe new phenomena.

A large portion of Finnish internet and texting slang terminology is borrowed from English. Some terms, such as the acronyms LOL and OMG, are used as they are, while other words are adapted for a better fit. That said, there are also many completely home-grown Finnish internet slang terms!

• Brush up on your general internet terminology by visiting our Top 20 Words You’ll Need for the Internet vocabulary list on FinnishPod101.com.

2. Finnish Internet Slang Words

In this section, we’ll look at general internet slang as well as terms commonly used on social media and in chat rooms.

General Internet Slang

• googlata, googlettaa (“to Google”) 

To search for information on Google. For example: Googlasin tietoa Suomesta. (“I Googled information about Finland.”) 

Standard Finnish: Hakea Googlesta.

• loggautua sisään/ulos (“to log in/out”) 

Standard Finnish: Kirjautua sisään/ulos.

• postata (“to post”) 

To post something online.

• postaus (“post”) 

An online post.

• lagata, lagittaa (“to lag”) 

A computer responding slowly due to a network delay, especially during an online game. For example: Voi ei, kone lagaa taas. (“Oh no, the computer is lagging again.”)

• spämmi (“spam”) 

Unsolicited digital communication sent out to a large number of people. 

Standard Finnish: roskaposti, mainosposti

• typottaa (“to make typos”) 

For example: Anteeksi, en tiedä miksi typotan koko ajan! (“Sorry, I don’t know why I’m making typos all the time!”) 

Note that this slang term breaks the Finnish vowel harmony rule. 

Standard Finnish: tehdä kirjoitusvirheitä

• äksdee (“XD”) 

Refers to the laughing emoticon with closed eyes: äks (“X”) + dee (“D”). Often used ironically.

• asd 

The first three letters of the middle row on a keyboard, typed when you don’t know what to say.

• ihku (“lovely,” “wonderful”) 

Standard Finnish: ihana

• lollero (“LOL”) 

Finnish variation of “LOL” or “laughing out loud”

• ämppäri, ämpäri (“mp3 file”) 

Standard Finnish: mp3-tiedosto 

Note that ämpäri means “bucket” in standard Finnish.

• torska (“torrent file“) 

A computer file containing metadata about other files. 

Standard Finnish: torrent-tiedosto

• winukka (“Microsoft Windows operating system”) 

Standard Finnish: Microsoft Windows -käyttöjärjestelmä.

• modata (“to mod”) 

To make changes to hardware or software in order to alter appearance or add new functions.

• warettaa (“to copy software illegally”) 

Standard Finnish: kopioida tietokoneohjelmia luvattomasti

• appi, äppi, apsi, appsi, appis, applari (“app,” “application”) 

For example: Mitä appia suosittelisit kuvien muokkaamiseen? (“Which app would you recommend for editing photos?”) 

Standard Finnish: sovellus

• rickrollata (“to rickroll“) 

To post a disguised hyperlink that leads to a music video of Rick Astley performing Never Gonna Give You Up.

For example: Sinut on rickrollattu! (“You’ve been rickrolled!”)

Social Media Slang Terms

Whether you favor Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or some other networking site, the following Finnish slang terms will come in handy when you chat with Finns or explore Finnish content on social media.

Note that Finnish people often don’t bother capitalizing the names of social media sites online.

• some (“social media”) 

Shortened form of sosiaalinen media.

• face, fese, febu, naamakirja, lärväri, fb (“Facebook”) 

Note that naamakirja is a calque: naama (“face”) + kirja (“book”), and lärväri is derived from the slang word lärvi (“face”).

• mese (“Messenger”) 

Refers to Facebook Messenger.

• insta, iigee, IG (“Instagram”)

• tube, juutuubi (“YouTube”)

• tubettaja, tubaaja (“YouTuber”) 

A person who creates YouTube content.

• tubemiitti (“TubeMeet”) 

A network for YouTube creators to collaborate with other creators.

• tubefeimi (“YouTube fame”)

• galtsu, galzu (“IRC-Galleria”) 

A Finnish social networking service.

• maispeissi (“Myspace”) 

An American social networking service.

• lästäfämmä (“last.fm”) 

An online music service.

• skaip, skaippi (“Skype”) 

A telecommunications application specialized in voice calls and video chat.

• snäppi (“Snapchat”) 

A mobile app for sharing photos and videos.

• snäpätä, snäppäillä (“to snapchat,” “to snap”) 

To use Snapchat.

• tägätä (“to tag”) 

To create a link to another user’s account on social media. 

For example: Tägää kaverisi, joka tykkäisi tästä! (“Tag your friend who would like this!”)

• häsä (“hashtag”) 

Standard Finnish: risuaita or #-merkki.

• follata (“to follow”) 

To follow another user on social media. 

For example: Jos follaat, follaan takas. (“If you follow, I’ll follow back.”)

• unfollata (“to unfollow”)

• shoutti (“shoutout”) 

Promoting another user on your own account.

• meitsie (“selfie”) 

A Finnish alternative to “selfie,” often used as a hashtag (#meitsie) on Instagram.

• swaipata (“to swipe”) 

Can refer to swiping left or right on Tinder to indicate whether you like another user or not, or swiping up on an Instagram Story to open a link. 

Standard Finnish: pyyhkäistä vasemmalle/oikealle/ylös (“to swipe left/right/up”)

• mätsi (“match”) 

Can refer to a Tinder match: a situation in which two users like each other on the dating app. 

For example: Kenen pitäisi aloittaa keskustelu mätsin jälkeen? (“Who should start the conversation after a match?”)

• nettistalkkaus (“online stalking”) 

Viewing someone’s social media content anonymously and searching for information about them online.

Online Chat Slang Terms

Here are a few different Finnish slang words you should know for the chat rooms: 

• nuubi, nuupi, nobo, nyyppä, nöösi (“newbie”) 

Derogatory terms for a new, inexperienced user on an online site.

• nikki (“nickname”) 

Nickname seen by other users on a website.

• idlata (“to be idle”) 

To be online but inactive.

• bannata, bännätä (“to ban”) 

To ban someone from a chat room, a server, etc.

• banni, bänni, banaani (“ban”) 

A ban from a site.

• seriffi, sefu (“moderator”) 

A user who has the right to edit and delete messages in a chat room or channel.

• wanha (“old”) 

A single-word comment used to point out that content is old / a repost. The spelling is from archaic Finnish. 

Standard Finnish: vanha

• tää (“this”) 

A single-word comment that indicates agreement with a post.

• floodata (“to flood”) 

To post repetitive, unwanted comments.

• lurkata (“to lurk”) 

To view content without contributing.

• plonkata (“to plonk”) 

To ignore a particular user.

• servata (“to serve”) 

To silence another user with a particularly effective putdown.

• fleimi (“flame”) 

An offensive message or comment, often posted in order to provoke.

• trolli (“troll”) 

A person who deliberately annoys others by posting provocative and offensive comments. 

For example: Älä ruoki trollia. (“Don’t feed the troll.”)

What about Finnish internet slang phrases? One slang phrase you may come across online is Torilla tavataan (“Let’s meet at the market square”), and its variations:

• Torille! (“To the market square!”)
• Suomi mainittu, torilla tavataan (“Finland mentioned, let’s meet at the market square”)
• Tortillat avataan (“Tortillas are opened”), which is a deliberate misspelling of Torilla tavataan

Tori (“market square”) is traditionally where Finns gather to celebrate any momentous occasion, and this phrase is often posted as a humorous (over)reaction to any post that mentions Finland in some vague way.

Teenagers are the masters of slang. Find your inner teen by learning Slang Expressions for Different Kinds of Teenagers and Slang Expressions Used by Teenagers.

3. Finnish Texting and Internet Abbreviations

Abbreviations and acronyms can take Finnish internet slang to a whole new level of confusing. Fear not, you’re about to learn exactly what EVVK and MP mean!

General Abbreviations

In Finnish internet slang, certain letter combinations often get replaced by the non-native letters of the alphabet.

• ks may be replaced with x or X
• see may be replaced with c or C
• ku, kuu, kku, kkuu may be replaced with q or Q

For example:

• raxu = raksu (“beloved,” “boyfriend,” “girlfriend”) 

Standard Finnish: rakas

• kuC = kusee (“doesn’t work,” literally: “pisses”) 

For example: Kone kuC! (“The computer isn’t working!”) 

Standard Finnish: ei toimi

• josqs = joskus (“sometimes”)

• ihq = ihku (“lovely,” “wonderful”) 

Standard Finnish: ihana

• nuQ (“to sleep”) nuQ-> means mennä nukkumaan (“to go to sleep”)

Other internet and text abbreviations include:

• j = joo (“yes”)
• m, mo = moi (“hi”)
• k, kk, ök, 0k, 0I< (“OK”)
• ei tod = ei todellakaan (“definitely not”)
• slv = selvä (“clear,” “okay”)
• reps = repeen = repeän (“I’m bursting into laughter,” literally: “I’m tearing”) 

That last one also appears in the form of reps kops, where kops imitates the sound of someone hitting the floor because they’re laughing so hard.

Finnish Reaction Acronyms

Acronyms are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of other words. They’re understandably common in Finnish internet slang!

• EOS = ei osaa sanoa or en osaa sanoa (“one can’t say” / “I can’t say”)

• EMT = en minä tiedä (“I don’t know”) 

For example: Hei, kuka voitti eilisen matsin? EMT. (“Hey, who won the match yesterday? I don’t know.”)

• EVT = ei voi tietää (“one can’t know”)

• EVM = ei voi muistaa (“one can’t remember”)

• IHSM = ihan sama (“whatever”) 

• ISMO = ihan sama mulle, oikeesti (“it’s all the same to me, really”)

• EVVK = ei voisi vähempää kiinnostaa (“couldn’t care less”) 

For example: Jee, yöllä satoi lunta! EVVK. (“Yay, it snowed during the night! Couldn’t care less.”) 

Note: If you see EVVVK, the extra V stands for a common Finnish expletive.

• TJSP = tai jotain sinne päin (“or something along those lines”)

• JYMT = jos ymmärrät mitä tarkoitan (“if you get what I mean”)

• NKÄ = nauraa kuin ääliö (“to laugh like an idiot”) 

Finland’s answer to LOL.

Wait! There’s more to learn about Finnish text slang. Check out our Common Texting Slang vocabulary list and follow up with a lesson on Abbreviations for When You Can’t Be Bothered!

Acronyms like LOL and OMG are used by Finns too.

Shorthand for Nouns

• MP = mielipide (“opinion”) 

Example: Pasi ja Tanja tapailevat, MP? (“Pasi and Tanja are dating, opinion?”)

• YV = yksityisviesti (“private message,” “PM”) 

Example: Lähetä YV jos kiinnostaa. (“Send a PM if you’re interested.”)

• YP = yksityispuhelu (“private call”)

• SPJ = sisäpiirijuttu (“insider thing”)

• AP = alkuperäinen postaaja (“original poster”) 

Example: Kommenttini oli tarkoitettu AP:lle. (“My comment was meant for the original poster.”)

4. Lopuksi

In this guide, we’ve explored Finnish internet and texting slang, including social media terminology and common reaction acronyms. Of course, internet slang evolves rapidly—new words are coined all the time, and terms go in and out of fashion—so if you know of any Finnish internet slang words that are not mentioned in this article, leave a comment below and tell us about them. Your fellow learners will appreciate it!

At FinnishPod101, we make language learning fun and put emphasis on helping you use Finnish confidently in the real world, whether you’re interacting with native speakers face-to-face or online. If you’re new to FinnishPod101, why not take a look at the free resources we offer or explore our extensive collection of Finnish vocabulary lists? If finding the time to sit down for regular Finnish lessons is a major struggle for you, our free mobile app will help you learn Finnish on the go!

What are you waiting for? Create your free lifetime account today and start learning Finnish like never before.

How many non-Finnish people do you know who can speak Finnish? Probably not that many! That’s why, when you meet a Finn through work, at a party, or while traveling, you can really make a lasting impression when you know how to introduce yourself in Finnish!

Most Finns—especially the younger generation—can speak English pretty well (According to Wikipedia, Finland ranks as the eighth country in the world in terms of English proficiency). However, if you know how to say even just a simple phrase like “My name is” in Finnish, you can break the ice much faster when you meet someone new!

Table of Contents

1. Start with a Greeting!
2. How to Share Basic Information About Yourself
3. How to Talk About What You Do
4. How to Share More Details About Yourself
5. A Few Cultural Notes
6. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Learn More about Introducing Yourself

1. Start with a Greeting!

It’s always a good idea to start with a friendly greeting when you meet someone new. So let’s learn some common Finnish greetings.

1- Greeting someone in formal and informal situations

Are you going to a business lunch or meeting your partner’s parents for the first time? You can use the following Finnish greetings in any formal situation.

• Hyvää huomenta.
  “Good morning.”
• Hyvää päivää.
  “Good day.”
• Hyvää iltaa.
  “Good evening.”

In informal situations, you can greet someone with a casual “Hi.” Pick one of these three basic Finnish greetings:

• Hei.
  “Hi.”
• Moi.
  “Hi.”
• Terve.
  “Hi.”

2- Sinä or te?

There are two versions of the pronoun “you” that you can use when you’re addressing someone in Finnish. Sinä is the informal singular “you,” and te is the singular “you” which can be used in formal situations and when you want to be extra polite. ( Note that te is also the plural “you.” ) There are no overly strict rules about which one to choose, so just go with these general guidelines and you’ll be fine!

During more formal encounters—for example, when you meet a client—it’s a good idea to use the more formal word te when addressing the other person.

In casual situations—for example, when talking to younger people or a good friend—use the more informal word sinä. Depending on where you are in Finland, you may also hear people say sä or sie instead of sinä!

3- Shaking hands and making eye contact

During greetings in Finnish, it’s common to shake hands when you meet someone for the first time. A Finnish handshake is typically brief and firm. Look the other person in the eye while you shake hands with them, and smile for an even greater impact!

2. How to Share Some Basic Information About Yourself

Let’s move on to the basic questions and answers that are likely to come up during a self-introduction in Finnish.

When asking a question, there’s a casual form and a formal form depending on who you’re addressing. We’ll cover both forms!

1- What’s your name?

This is almost certainly the very first question to come up in a conversation with a new acquaintance! So how do you ask someone’s name and how do you say “My name is,” in Finnish? Let’s find out!

Casual:

• Mikä sinun nimesi on?
  “What’s your name?”

Formal:

• Mikä teidän nimenne on?
  “What’s your name?”

And this is how you can respond to the question:

• Minun nimeni on Maija.
  “My name is Maija.”
• Minä olen Sanna.
  “I am Sanna.”

In formal situations, it’s typical to say your full name:

• Minun nimeni on Maija Virtanen.
  “My name is Maija Virtanen.”

And after you’ve learned each other’s names, you can say:

• Hauska tavata!
  “It’s nice to meet you!”

2- Where are you from?

Your new Finnish acquaintance will probably wonder where you’re from! Here are some ways to talk about your home country and your nationality.

Casual:

• Mistä olet kotoisin?
  “Where are you from?”
• Minkä maan kansalainen sinä olet?
  “What is your nationality?”

Formal:

• Mistä olette kotoisin?
  “Where are you from?”
• Minkä maan kansalainen olette?
  “What is your nationality?”

If you come from another country, you can answer like this:

• Olen kotoisin Meksikosta.
  “I’m from Mexico.”
• Olen meksikolainen.
  “I’m Mexican.”

Look at this list of world countries in Finnish to find out how to write and pronounce the name of your home country.

3- How old are you?

Asking somebody about their age is usually fine among young people in Finland. In contrast, asking older women about their age may come across as tactless, so be cautious!

Casual:

• Kuinka vanha sinä olet?
  “How old are you?”

Formal:

• Kuinka vanha te olette?
  “How old are you?”

Your answer can take one of the following forms:

• Olen 18 vuotta vanha.
  “I’m 18 years old.”
• Olen 30-vuotias.
  “I’m a 30-year-old.”
• Olen 50.
  “I’m 50.”

3. How to Talk About What You Do

Are you a student? Do you work? Are you taking a gap year to see the world?! Learn how to talk about work, studies, and traveling with your new Finnish friends. These topics are bound to come up when you introduce yourself in Finnish and get to know people better.

1- How to talk about traveling

Are you on holiday in Finland? Lucky you! Here are some questions that may come up when you talk about visiting Finland for leisure.

Casual:

• Oletko lomalla?
  “Are you on holiday?”
• Oletko matkalla Suomessa?
  “Are you traveling in Finland?”

Formal:

• Oletteko te lomalla?
  “Are you on holiday?”
• Oletteko matkalla Suomessa?
  “Are you traveling in Finland?”

You can answer like this:

• Kyllä, olen lomalla.
  “Yes, I am on holiday.”
• Kyllä, olen matkalla Suomessa.
  “Yes, I am traveling in Finland.”
• Kyllä, olen.
  “Yes, I am.”
• Kyllä.
  “Yes.”

Here’s more useful vocabulary for travelers!

2- Talking about your studies

Did studies bring you to Finland, or are you a student back in your home country? Prepare to ask and answer questions about student life!

Casual:

• Oletko opiskelija?
  “Are you a student?”
• Mitä sinä opiskelet?
  “What are you studying?”

Formal:

• Oletteko opiskelija?
  “Are you a student?”
• Mitä opiskelette?
  “What are you studying?”

Here are some ways to answer the above questions:

• Olen opiskelija.
  “I am a student.”
• Tulin Suomeen opiskelemaan.
  “I came to Finland to study.”
• Olen vaihto-oppilas.
  “I’m an exchange student.”
• Opiskelen kemiaa.
  “I’m studying chemistry.”

Not a budding chemist? No problem. Look up other school subjects in Finnish here.

3- Talking about your work

Talking about work is very likely to come up in conversation when you’re getting to know someone in Finland!

Casual:

• Mikä on ammattisi?
  “What is your profession?”
• Mitä teet työksesi?
  “What do you do for a living?”
• Millä alalla olet töissä?
  “In which field do you work?”

Formal:

• Mikä on ammattinne?
  “What is your profession?”
• Mitä teette työksenne?
  “What do you do for a living?”
• Millä alalla olette töissä?
  “Where do you work?”

And now for some answers to the above questions:

• Olen insinööri.
  “I am an engineer.”
• Työskentelen IT-alalla.
  “I work in IT.”

For more Finnish vocabulary and audio recordings, check out this list of 20 Common Words for Occupations.

4. Sharing More Details About Yourself

By now, you know quite a bit about your new Finnish friend! But if the conversation is flowing, there’s a lot more to talk about.

1- Talking about your family

Family is often very important to Finns, so it’s good to master a few key phrases about family and relationships in Finnish.

Casual:

• Kerro minulle perheestäsi.
  “Tell me about your family.”
• Oletko naimisissa?
  “Are you married?”
• Onko sinulla lapsia?
  “Do you have children?”
• Onko sinulla sisaruksia?
  “Do you have siblings?”

Formal:

• Kertokaa minulle perheestänne.
  “Tell me about your family.”
• Oletteko naimisissa?
  “Are you married?”
• Onko teillä lapsia?
  “Do you have children?”
• Onko teillä sisaruksia?
  “Do you have siblings?”

Some possible answers include:

• Kyllä, olen naimisissa.
  “Yes, I’m married.”
• Ei, olen sinkku.
  “No, I’m single.”
• Ei, olen eronnut.
  “No, I’m divorced.”
• Ei, mutta minulla on poikaystävä/tyttöystävä.
  “No, but I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.”
• Minulla on kaksi lasta.
  “I have two kids.”
• Minulla on veli ja sisko.
  “I have a brother and a sister.”

For more Finnish terms for family members, look at this handy vocabulary list.

2- Talking about your hobbies

You might say that you’ll learn far more about someone by discovering what they do for fun rather than work. So go ahead and ask someone what their favorite pastimes are!

Casual:

• Mitä sinä harrastat?
  “What are your hobbies?”
• Mitä teet vapaa-ajallasi?
  “What do you do in your free time?”

Formal:

• Mitä te harrastatte?
  “What are your hobbies?”
• Mitä teette vapaa-ajallanne?
  “What do you do in your free time?”

Of course, the options are endless, but here are some possible responses:

• Pelaan jalkapalloa.
  “I play soccer.”
• Soitan kitaraa.
  “I play the guitar.”
• Pidän lukemisesta.
  “I like reading.”

Learn more Finnish words for various hobbies here.

3- Talking about your pets

Do you have a pet? Many Finns have pets and will enjoy talking about their own furry friends as well as yours!

Casual:

• Onko sinulla lemmikkiä?
  “Do you have a pet?”
• Pidätkö eläimistä?
  “Do you like animals?”

Formal:

• Onko teillä lemmikkiä?
  “Do you have a pet?”
• Pidättekö eläimistä?
  “Do you like animals?”

Your answer could be:

• Kyllä, minulla on koira.
  “Yes, I have a dog.”
• Minulla on kissa.
  “I have a cat.”
• Ei, minulla ei ole lemmikkiä, mutta pidän eläimistä.
  “No, I don’t have a pet, but I like animals.”

What if your pet is a snake? Find more animal-related vocabulary here.

4- How to say why you are learning Finnish

Learning Finnish is certainly not as common as learning French or Spanish, so Finns will probably ask you about it!

Casual:

• Miksi opiskelet suomea?
  “Why are you learning Finnish?
• Kuinka kauan olet opiskellut suomea?
  “How long have you been learning Finnish?”

Formal:

• Miksi opiskelette suomea?
  “Why are you learning Finnish?”
• Kuinka kauan olette opiskellut suomea?
  “How long have you been learning Finnish?”

And here are some possible answers:

• Pidän suomen kielestä.
  “I like the Finnish language.”
• Äitini/isäni/vaimoni/mieheni on suomalainen.
  “My mother/father/wife/husband is Finnish.”
• Halusin matkustaa/asua Suomessa.
  “I wanted to travel/live in Finland.”
• Olen opiskellut suomea kolme vuotta.
  “I’ve been learning Finnish for three years.”

5. A Few Cultural Notes

1- A note on ‘spoken language’ and ‘book language’

Not to alarm you, but Finns often drop syllables to shorten words in casual situations! This is the difference between kirjakieli (book language) and the more casual puhekieli (spoken language).

Contrast this to what you’ve learned about asking and answering the question “What is your name?” in Finnish.

In “spoken language,” someone might say:

• Mikä sun nimi on?
  “What’s your name?”
• Mun nimi on Esa.
  “My name is Esa.”
• Mä oon Antti.
  “I am Antti.”

Learn more about colloquial Finnish by checking out this Wikipedia article.

The key is to be aware of it, but not to worry about it! You can always ask someone to clarify or to repeat themselves:

• Anteeksi, en ymmärtänyt.
  “Sorry, I didn’t understand.”
• Voisitko sanoa sen uudestaan?
  “Could you say it again?”

2- Finns and small talk

You may have heard that Finns are somewhat reserved and not very talkative. There’s some truth to it; Finns tend to be comfortable with silence and won’t typically rush to fill in gaps in a conversation with chitchat! However, you’ll also find that Finns are warm and good-humored people when you get to know them.

There aren’t any obvious taboo subjects that you need to avoid in Finland. It’s usually fine to talk about things like religion and politics, although you may want to get started with other topics first!

Learn more about the Finnish culture at This is Finland.

6. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You Feel Confident About Introducing Yourself in Finnish

Congratulations, you’ve now learned the basics of introducing yourself in Finnish and have a hang of the most common Finnish language greetings! We hope you feel confident in going out there and putting your new skills to use. Whether you’re meeting Finns through work or leisure, you can be sure that your efforts to speak to them in their own language will be appreciated!

If you want more help with grammar and pronunciation, FinnishPod101 is your one-stop destination for a wide range of free language resources. Why not start with 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself to reinforce what you’ve learned so far?

And if you’re serious about mastering the language and becoming fluent in Finnish, our MyTeacher learning program will take your skills to the next level!

Before you go, practice what you’ve learned by writing a short introductory paragraph about yourself in Finnish. We look forward to your comments and learning more about you!

When the Summer Solstice comes around in June, the Midsummer celebration in Finland begins! On Midsummer Day, Finland enjoys the warmth of summer with barbeques, time outdoors, and a Midsummer bonfire. Finland’s celebrations of Midsummer are rooted in its religious history and have evolved along with its transition to Christianity.

Learn about the Midsummer celebration Finland observes each year to gain greater insight into Finnish life and culture! Midsummer’s Eve traditions in Finland tell a lot about its culture as a whole, and as any successful language learner can tell you, comprehending a country’s culture is essential in mastering its language.

At FinnishPod101.com, it’s our goal to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Midsummer Day?

A very special celebration for the Finns is the Midsummer, or Juhannus, celebrated at the end of June. The Midsummer is a celebration of light and the height of the summer, and was originally celebrated as a part of the ancient Finnish religion. The Christian churches celebrate the Midsummer as the birthday of John the Baptist (Johannes Kastaja), from where the name Juhannus originates.

Midsummer is celebrated at the brightest time of the year, during which even the nights will be bright in Finland. The bright summer nights are known as the “nightless nights,” and create perfect conditions for the Midsummer party Finland puts on across the country.

2. What Day is Midsummer?

Between the 19th and 26th of June, Finland celebrates the Summer Solstice through its Midsummer Festival. The date varies each year, so for your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: June 22
• 2020: June 20
• 2021: June 26
• 2022: June 25
• 2023: June 24
• 2024: June 22
• 2025: June 21
• 2026: June 20
• 2027: June 26
• 2028: June 24

3. Reading Practice: Midsummer Celebration in Finland

How do Finns celebrate Midsummer? Read the Finnish text below to find out, and find the English translation directly below it.

—

Monien suomalaisten perinteeseen kuuluu viettää juhannus kesämökeillä järvien rannoilla, joten kaupungeissa onkin juhannuksen aikaan hyvin hiljaista. Myös juhannusfestivaalit ja -konsertit ovat suosittuja, etenkin nuorten keskuudessa.

Juhannusperinteisiin kuuluu juhannussauna tuoreiden saunavihtojen kera, sekä pulahtaminen järveen. Koti, sauna ja soutuvene saatetaan koristella koivunoksin ja luonnonkukin, ja ruotsinkielisillä alueilla saatetaan pystyttää juhannussalko. Juhannuksena syödään ja juodaan hyvin. Etenkin grillaaminen on suosittua.

Tärkeä hetki juhannuksena on juhannuskokon sytyttäminen keskiyön tienoilla. Kokko on yleensä pystytetty järven rantaan, ja sen äärellä valvotaan seurustellen ja tunnelmoiden pitkälle yöhön, joskus aamuun saakka.

Juhannusta vietettiin Suomessa alun perin suomalaisten muinaisjumalan Ukon juhlana, sadon ja hedelmällisyyden varmistamiseksi. Tältä ajalta jäänteitä ovat myös leikkimieliset juhannustaiat, joiden tarkoitus on varmistaa tuleva sato ja naimaonni, tai ennustaa tuleva puoliso.

Juhannushäiden viettäminen oli myös ennen suosittua, mutta nykyään tapa on jo harvinaisempi. Juhannuksen viettoon kuuluu monilla myös romanttiset juhannustanssit. Tanssilavoille kokoontuu tällöin runsaasti ihmisiä tanssimaan lavatansseja, kuten valssia, humppaa, tangoa, foksia tai jenkkaa.

Juhannusta on nimitetty myös Ukon juhlaksi, mittumaariksi, mettumaariksi ja messumaariksi. Mittu,-mettu ja -messumaari nimet ovat lainasanoja ruotsinkielisestä ‘midsommar’ eli ‘keskikesä’-sanasta.

—

Many Finns have a tradition of spending the Midsummer at their summer cottages on the shores of lakes, which is why it is usually very quiet in the cities during Midsummer. Midsummer festivals and concerts are popular as well, especially among the young.

A part of Midsummer traditions is the Midsummer sauna, which includes fresh sauna bath whisks, and taking a dip in the lake. The home, sauna, and rowing boat may also be decorated with birch branches and natural flowers, and a maypole may be erected in Swedish-speaking areas. It is customary to eat and drink well during the Midsummer. Barbecuing is especially popular.

An important moment of Midsummer is the lighting of the Midsummer bonfire at midnight. The bonfire is usually placed at a lakeshore, and people will stay up socializing and enjoying the atmosphere next to it well into the night, sometimes until dawn.

Midsummer was originally celebrated as the feast of an ancient Finnish god Ukko, to ensure a good harvest and fertility. Other remnants of this ancient time are the playful Midsummer magic rituals, which were meant to ensure the future harvest and marital fortune, or to foresee one’s future spouse. Midsummer wedding celebrations also used to be popular, but nowadays that custom is less common.

Romantic Midsummer dance events are also a part of the Midsummer celebration for many people. Plenty of people will gather to dance pavilions at that time to participate in open-air dances like the waltz, humppa, tango, fox, or jenkka.

The Midsummer has also been called the Festival of Ukko, mittumaari, mettumaari, and messumaari. Mittu-, mettu-, and messumaari are loanwords from the Swedish word midsommar, which means “the middle of the summer.”

4. Midsummer Magic in Finland

Do you know why there are traditions of collecting flowers and staring into a pool (or natural spring of water) while naked on Midsummer night?

Midsummer magic is a part of Midsummer night. When you collect seven different flowers and put them under your pillow, you’ll see your future spouse in a dream. And when staring into a pool while naked, the image of your future spouse should appear on the water’s surface. There is a variety of different Midsummer magic traditions!

5. Useful Vocabulary for Finnish Midsummer Celebrations

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Midsummer in Finland!

• Grillata — “Barbecue”
• Juhannuspäivä — “Midsummer Day”
• Sauna — “Sauna”
• Virvatuli — “Will-o’-the-wisp“
• Suomen lipun päivä — “The Day of the Finnish Flag”
• Juhannustaika — “Midsummer magic”
• Keskiyön aurinko — “Midnight sun”
• Juhannuskokko — “Bonfire”
• Juhannussalko — “Maypole”
• Juhannustanssit — “Midnight open-air dance”
• Loitsu — “Incantation”
• Saunoa — “Go to the sauna”
• Mennä mökille — “Go to a cottage”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Finnish Midsummer Day vocabulary list. Here, each word is accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation and a relevant image.

Conclusion

What do you think of Midsummer’s Eve traditions in Finland? Does your country celebrate Midsummer Day, and if so, what do traditions look like in your country? Let us know in the comments!

To learn more about the culture in Finland and the Finnish language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com. We provide an array of practical learning tools for every learner to ensure that anyone can master Finnish! Read more insightful blog posts like this one, study with our free Finnish vocabulary lists, and chat with fellow Finnish learners on our community forums. By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also begin using our MyTeacher program to learn Finnish one-on-one with your own teacher!

Learning a new language is no easy goal, but know that your determination and hard work will soon reap rewards! And FinnishPod101 will be here with you for each step of your journey to Finnish mastery!

Memorial Day for the War Dead (also commonly referred to as Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers) is one of Finland’s most significant holidays. It seeks to commemorate Finland’s losses in various wars, as well as losses from the countries it fought. In particular, the Finnish Civil War sparked the idea for this day of commemoration in the war commander Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.

In this article, we’ll be going over what this holiday is and take a look at the wars this day seeks to commemorate. After reading this article, you’ll have a better grasp of Finland’s history and events leading up to its culture today, which is vital for any language-learner. At FinnishPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers?

The Memorial Day for the War Dead, otherwise known as the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers, is when Finland remembers those who lost their lives in Finnish wars. The idea was put into effect by the Finnish war commander Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim in 1940.

This holiday seeks to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the following Finnish wars:

• Finnish Civil War — 1918
• Finnish Winter War (also known as the Russo-Finnish War or Finnish Russian War) — 1939-1940
• Finland Continuation War — 1941-1944
• Lapland War — 1944

While these are the main focus of Memorial Day for the War Dead in Finland, note that Finns also died in the Heimosodat wars and during U.N. peacekeeping missions.

2. When is Memorial Day for the War Dead Observed?

The date of the Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers varies from year to year, though it’s always on the third Sunday in May. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s dates for the next ten years.

• 2019: May 19
• 2020: May 17
• 2021: May 16
• 2022: May 15
• 2023: May 21
• 2024: May 19
• 2025: May 18
• 2026: May 17
• 2027: May 16
• 2028: May 21

3. How is Memorial Day for the War Dead Celebrated?

Celebrations and commemoration activities aren’t extensive in Finland, though this holiday is close to Finns’ hearts. Typically, church services are held on Memorial Day for the War Dead. Following these services, Finns often visit the graves and tombs of fallen soldiers to pay their respects and to simply remember the sacrifice they made.

4. Additional Information on the Finnish Wars

Let’s look at each main war that we mentioned earlier, to give you a better idea of Finland’s history and what this day means to them.

1- Finnish Civil War (1918 )

After the Russian Empire collapsed in WWI, Finland—who was, up until that point, under Russia’s control—was left with a shaky structure of governance, as well as a power vacuum. This took place during a time of growth and improvement in Finland, a time when change was sought after and becoming increasingly necessary.

Germany planned to gain control of Finland with Russia’s collapse. The plan was to turn Finland into a monarchy under German control—called the Kingdom of Finland—seeing as Finland had fallen into Germany’s sphere of influence.

In the meantime, German and Finnish troops fought against the Russian Empire. 36,000 Finns lost their lives in the conflict. However, upon Germany’s loss in WWI, this plan never came to full fruition and was soon cancelled.

This allowed Finland to become an independent and democratic nation, despite the country’s inner turmoil and unease for decades after.

2- Finnish Winter War (1939-1940)

The Finnish Winter War began in 1939 when the Soviet Union invaded Finland in hopes of gaining territory which Finland had denied it. After this invasion, Finland had good fortune for about two months, being able to ward off the offensive forces until the Soviet Union gathered its bearings again.

Fortunately, the war didn’t last very long, though it was fought in very cold temperatures during the winter months. The League of Nations decided that the Soviet Union’s offensive invasion was illegal, and the Moscow Peace Treaty was signed not long after. The Winter War lasted for three-and-a-half months, and led to heavy losses and a few gains for both sides involved (Finland and the Soviet Union).

The Soviet Union ended up gaining much land from Finland (eleven percent of it), but lost good standing in the eyes of other countries, not to mention that its military was exposed as being fairly weak and ineffective. Finland lost much land and had difficulty during the war attaining enough supplies and support, but gained a higher standing in the eyes of other countries after the Moscow Peace Treaty.

In St. Petersburg, there’s a monument dedicated to those lost during this war.

3- Finland Continuation War (1941-1944)

Not long after The Winter War, Finland once again fought against the Soviet Union. Germany served as a co-belligerent to Finland, having started the first battle against the USSR. The top three reasons for the war’s beginning are:

• Regaining territory lost during The Winter War
• Liberating Karelia
• Expanding Finland to become “Greater Finland”

Ultimately, The Continuation War was a failure, ending in ceasefire.

In 1944, the Moscow Armistice was signed. The war resulted in the loss of 63,200 Finns, as well as 158,000 Finns with injuries.

4- Lapland War (1944-1945)

The Moscow Armistice signed to end the previous war posed a condition that led to the Lapland War between Finland and Nazi Germany: all German troops had to leave Finnish territory. This condition was made in light of the Soviet Vyborg—Petrozavodsk Offensive which took place in 1944.

The German evacuations were met with few problems at first, until the Soviet Union told Finland it needed to force the Germans out more effectively, as well demobilize the Finnish Army. As a result, Finland fought a few battles against Germany until most of the German forces had reached Norway (which it occupied at the time). In 1945, all of the German troops had left Finland.

WWII ended shortly after.

5. Useful Vocabulary for Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Finnish Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers!

• Sotilas — “Soldier”
• Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim — “Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim”
• Puolustaa — “Defend”
• Sota — “War”
• Hautakynttilä — “Grave candle”
• Kaatua — “Fall”
• Rauhanturvaaja — “Peacekeeper”
• Sankarivainaja — “Hero of the deceased”
• Menehtynyt — “Perished”
• Leski — “Widow”
• Sankarihauta — “Hero’s tomb”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Finnish Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

Which event mentioned in this article do you think was the most interesting? Does your country have a holiday that honors those fallen in war? Let us know in the comments! We always love hearing from you.

To learn more about the culture in Finland and the Finnish language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com and take advantage of our numerous and effective learning tools. From insightful blog posts to free vocabulary lists and an online community forum, there’s something here for every learner! You can also create (or upgrade to) a Premium Plus account to begin using our MyTeacher program, where you can learn Finnish one-on-one with your own personal Finnish teacher.

We hope you took away something valuable from this article, and that you feel more knowledgeable about this aspect of Finnish history. Know that your hard work will pay off; before you know it, you’ll be speaking like a native Finn!

Watching TV is a fun way to pick up a new language. While English learners probably have it easier than anyone else due to the massive popularity of shows like The Simpsons and The Game of Thrones, there’s no reason Finnish learners need to miss out! Some of the best Finnish TV series can be streamed online, and whether you’re into romantic comedies or police dramas, you’re sure to find something interesting to watch in our Finnish TV guide.

Table of Contents

1. How to Improve Your Finnish by Watching TV Shows
2. Where to Find Great Finnish TV Shows to Watch
3. Top Finnish Comedy Shows
4. Top Finnish Crime Shows
5. Top Finnish TV Shows for Kids, Teens, and the Young at Heart
6. Top Finnish Sketch Comedies
7. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You

1. How to Improve Your Finnish by Watching TV Shows

While nothing is as effective as one-on-one lessons with an experienced Finnish teacher when it comes to learning the language, watching Finnish TV series is a really fun and accessible way to give your studies a real boost. Watching Finnish shows supports your learning by allowing you to get your head around pronunciation, familiarizing you with common sentence patterns, reinforcing key phrases you’ve learned, and expanding your vocabulary as if by magic.

Advanced Finnish learners can completely immerse themselves in the language by watching shows with (or without) Finnish subtitles, while intermediate learners might want to focus first on Finnish TV shows with English subtitles.

Beginners, of course, can also benefit from watching Finnish TV online, but we recommend that you also hone your listening and comprehension skills by watching our fun videos on FinnishPod101’s YouTube channel and listening to our series of audio blogs!

2. Where to Find Great Finnish TV Shows to Watch

• Netflix: See which Finnish TV series on Netflix are available in your location by typing “Finnish TV shows” into the search box.
• Prime Video: You can also find Finnish TV shows online using Prime Video by selecting “TV Shows” in categories, then typing “Finnish” into the search box.
• Yle Areena: It’s possible to stream many Finnish TV shows even outside of Finland on Yle Areena. Find something to watch by selecting ohjelmat (“programs” ) and choosing katsottavissa ulkomailla (“can be watched abroad” ).
• YouTube: To find Finnish shows to watch on YouTube, try typing suomeksi (“in Finnish” ) in the search box. YouTube is a good place to go for Finnish kids’ shows in particular, so type in lastenohjelmia (“children’s programs” ) when you feel like something light and simple to watch!
• Other streaming channels: If you’re lucky enough to be based in Finland, you’ll have access to lots of entertaining Finnish TV online! Check out what Finnish TV stations have to offer on Katsomo and Ruutu, for example.

3. Top Finnish Comedy Shows

Finns really love their comedy, and you’re sure to love Finnish comedy too—so get ready to laugh and learn a bunch of new Finnish words at the same time!

1- Luottomies (Wingman)

Wingman is a Finnish comedy TV show about two neighbors whose bad decisions lead them from one catastrophe to another. The show stars Kari Ketonen as the disaster-magnet Juhis, and Antti Luusuaniemi as his neighbor Tommi whose boring and stable life is turned upside-down when Juhis moves next door.

This awkwardly funny TV show, considered one of the more popular Finnish TV shows, has gained recognition outside of Finland, too. In 2019, Season 2 of Wingman was nominated for an International Emmy Award in New York in the Short-Form Series category.

Each episode is only about ten minutes long, which makes this the perfect series to dip into, even if you have very little time! The series is also available with English subtitles, which will be a great help to beginners and intermediate learners.

Vocabulary:

• naapuri (“neighbor” )
• asunto (“apartment” )
• syntymäpäivä (“birthday” )

Stream both seasons of Wingman on Yle Areena.

2- Donna

Also known as Blind Donna, this Finnish romantic comedy-drama is groundbreaking in many ways.

Starring Finnish-Russian actress Alina Tomnikov in the titular role, the show begins with Donna (who is blind) realizing that her partner of eight years has left her. But rather than give into despair, she decides that the time has come for her to find true love—and she isn’t about to let her disability stop her from getting what she wants. Donna goes to nightclubs and tries Tinder, and her best friend Mira (Essi Hellen) tries to help, though her attempts are usually anything but helpful!

This uplifting and stereotype-smashing TV series was awarded the MIPCOM Diversity TV Excellence Award for Representation of Disability in Cannes, and was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Vocabulary:

• sokea (“blind” )
• rakkaus (“love” )
• Se Oikea (“Mr. or Mrs. Right” )

Stream Donna on Yle Areena.

3- Kimmo

Kimmo is another Finnish comedy series featuring a main character that ends up in all sorts of disastrous situations!

Kimmo Hietala (Jussi Vatanen) is thirty years old and doesn’t really know what to do with himself. He’s not interested in working, but struggles to pay his rent and is forced by the job center to take on a telemarketing job. However, there are unexpected consequences, as Kimmo ends up falling in love with Ulla (Pamela Tola / Malla Malmivaara), a bored mother looking for mental stimulation by starting a new job.

This show features several well-known Finnish actors, including Kari Hietalahti and Mikko Leppilampi, and has been awarded two Kultainen Venla Finnish TV awards.

Vocabulary:

• työpaikka (“position,” “job,” “workplace” )
• työvoimatoimisto (“job center” )
• puhelinmyyjä (“telemarketer” )

Stream all three seasons of Kimmo on Yle Areena.

4. Top Finnish Crime Shows

With addictive storytelling and nail-biting cliffhangers, binge-watching Finnish police TV shows and Nordic Noir is the perfect way to combine entertainment with language-learning!

1- Roba

Roba follows the lives of a group of Helsinki Police Department officers. Their differing opinions and ideals cause difficulties and complicate the unit’s efforts to work together effectively.

The name of the show refers to a police station that used to be on Pieni Roobertinkatu or “Roba” (a street in Helsinki). In 2012 (the year the first season aired in Finland), the station was closed.

Many well-known Finnish actors, such as Kari Hietalahti and Tiina Lymi, feature in this drama series.

Vocabulary:

• poliisiasema (“police station” )
• konstaapeli (“constable,” “police officer” )
• todistaja (“witness” )

Stream the first three seasons of Roba on Prime Video.

2- Sorjonen (Bordertown)

The Finnish TV show Bordertown has been called Finland’s first Nordic Noir production. The series follows detective inspector Kari Sorjonen (Ville Virtanen), who solves crimes as the leader of the Serious Crime Unit (SECRI) in the eastern lakeside town of Lappeenranta near the Russian border.

There is also additional drama and tension in Sorjonen’s life as his wife is recovering from brain cancer.

Vocabulary:

• rikos (“crime” )
• syöpä (“cancer” )
• Venäjä (“Russia” )

Stream the first two seasons of the Finnish series Bordertown on Netflix. The show can be streamed with English subtitles.

3- Karppi (Deadwind)

The Finnish TV series Deadwind is a briskly paced and addictive Finnish detective series.

Sofia Karppi (Pihla Viitala) is a homicide detective returning to work at the Helsinki Police Department after her husband’s recent death. Aided by her new work partner, a rookie detective named Sakari Nurmi (Lauri Tiikanen), Karppi juggles crime-solving, grief, and single parenting. In Season 1, what first appears to be a random killing of a middle-aged woman turns out to be something far more complicated and chilling.

The series was well-received in Finland and has been compared to other Nordic Noir hits The Killing and The Bridge.

Vocabulary:

• murha (“murder” )
• leski (“widow” )
• yksinhuoltaja (“single parent” )

Stream the first season of Deadwind on Netflix. The show is available with English subtitles.

5. Top Finnish TV Shows for Kids, Teens, and the Young at Heart

There are plenty of fun Finnish series for younger learners to watch—though there’s no reason why older viewers can’t enjoy them too!

1- Muumilaakso (Moominvalley)

Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomin characters are the reason many people first become interested in Finland! Jansson’s characters have been brought to life once again in a visually-stunning modern animated series, with each episode inspired by an original Moomin story.

The Finnish-British production of Moominvalley premiered early in 2019. The series is available in four different languages, which are Finnish, Swedish, English, and Japanese. The Finnish voice cast includes Joonas Nordman as Moomintroll, Satu Silvo as Moominmamma, and Ville Haapasalo as Moominpappa.

The budget of Moominvalley exceeded 20 million euros, which makes this not only one of the best Finnish children’s TV shows, but also the most expensive Finnish television production ever!

Vocabulary:

• lohikäärme (“dragon” )
• tulva (“flood” )
• viidakko (“jungle” )

Moominvalley is available in Finnish on Yle Areena—though unfortunately, at the moment, you need to be in Finland to stream it!

2- Ihan sama

Ihan sama ( which literally means “the same” and can also be translated as “whatever” ) is an adventurous Finnish TV series designed for viewers over ten years of age. The story focuses on two kids from very different backgrounds: Kasper (Nuutti Konttinen), a star in the making, is trapped in an elite school, while Iida (Vilma Sippola) is a lonely girl abandoned by her parents.

Kasper has seen Iida in his dreams and is shocked to find out that she is actually real. The two become unlikely friends and embark on an adventure together. The series consists of six half-an-hour episodes and shines a light on themes such as forgiveness and the dark side of success.

Vocabulary:

• uni (“dream” )
• karata (“to run away” )
• mysteeri (“mystery” )

Stream Ihan sama on Yle Areena.

3- Justimus esittää: Duo (Justimus Presents: Duo)

Duo is a lively comedy about two awkward teenagers, Samu (Juho Nummela) and Joona (Joose Kääriäinen). The inseparable duo starts to panic as Samu’s mother announces that she’s engaged and the family is moving to another town. Samu and Joona decide to do everything in their power to prevent this catastrophe.

This series was created by the sketch comedy group Justimus, whose YouTube channel is hugely popular in Finland. A record-breaking number of viewers watched the show in its first week.

A word of warning—there’s plenty of coarse language in Duo, so this is not a show for everyone! The characters also speak a dialect of Northern Ostrobothnia, which can make the language a bit harder to understand for beginners and intermediate learners. Try watching the show with Finnish subtitles to make the dialogue easier to follow.

Vocabulary:

• mennä naimisiin (“to get married” )
• isäpuoli (“step father” )
• murrosikäinen (“adolescent” )

Stream Duo on Yle Areena.

6. Top Finnish Sketch Comedies

Did we already mention that Finns love to have a laugh? So it makes sense that sketch comedy is also very popular in Finland. These shows will immerse you in a diverse range of topics and situations—perfect for expanding your Finnish vocabulary!

1- Ihmisten puolue

Ihmisten puolue (“The People’s Party” ) is a political sketch comedy. In each episode, members of the tiny people’s party have a meeting to discuss a topical issue and attempt to come into agreement about their official view on the matter. Needless to say, it’s a struggle!

Each episode is only a few minutes long, but they pack a punch when it comes to learning important vocabulary that you’ll need if you want to read newspaper articles or discuss politics in Finnish.

Vocabulary:

• kansalainen (“citizen” )
• ehdokas (“candidate” )
• vaalit (“elections” )

Stream Ihmisten puolue on Yle Areena’s YouTube channel.

2- Siskonpeti (Pajama Party)

Pajama Party is an award-winning Finnish sketch comedy show written by and starring four female comedians —Pirjo Heikkilä, Niina Lahtinen, Krisse Salminen, and Sanna Stellan—with Joonas Nordman and Jarkko Niemi in male roles.

The title literally means “sister’s bed.” The word describes a large temporary bed that’s placed on the floor with room for several sleepers, which is a common arrangement for sleepovers!

Each episode focuses on a big theme, such as family, love, or death, and features music videos, sketches, and humorous monologues. Some of the themes are relatively mature, so this is not a show for young viewers.

In Finland, the series won the Kultainen Venla Award for the best comedy and sketch show two years in a row. Internationally, the show was nominated for the Rose d’Or Best Comedy Show Award.

Vocabulary:

• keski-ikäinen (“middle-aged” )
• parisuhde (“romantic relationship” )
• äitiys (“motherhood” )

Stream three seasons of Siskonpeti on Yle Areena.

7. How FinnishPod101 Can Help You

Hopefully, you’ve found some TV shows in Finnish that you’re excited to start watching! Through consistent exposure to spoken Finnish, you’ll become more confident in your pronunciation and listening comprehension in no time.

However, unless you’re very advanced in your Finnish studies, watching Finnish TV channels online can sometimes feel a bit like being thrown straight into the deep end! So be sure to keep making full use of FinnishPod101’s language-learning resources too, such as our Finnish-English online dictionary and Finnish word of the day, to solidify your Finnish skills.

What if you come across Finnish phrases and idioms that mystify you while streaming Finnish TV? Our Premium Plus subscription gives you access to a Finnish teacher who’ll be happy to help you! And if you really happen to get into Finnish crime drama or political sketch comedies, our learning program allows you to create handy customized word lists around specific themes—and you can share your lists with others, too.

Go on, have fun, and be sure to share your favorite Finnish TV shows with your fellow learners. And if you ever feel like leaving a comment in Finnish on a YouTube video you’ve watched, check out this list of words first!

Happy Finnish learning!

The Monday after Easter (Easter Monday) is Finland’s largest celebration during the Easter week. It’s a day of Finnish Easter pudding and more delicious traditional Finnish Easter food. However, it’s also a day of great religious significance for Finland’s Christian population. From its more religious celebrations to Easter witches, Easter in Finland is a delight!

Learn about Finland Easter traditions and more information about Easter in Finland with FinnishPod101.com! We hope to make learning about Finnish Easter both fun and informative; after all, cultural knowledge is a vital aspect of learning any language! So let’s get started.

1. What is Easter Monday in Finland?

Easter, which is celebrated in-between March and April in Finland, is the oldest and most important Christian holiday.

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, but many Easter traditions of the Finns were originally pagan and are associated with the longer days. Easter week, which is also known as Silent Week, starts with Palm Sunday. The Easter holidays consist of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

2. When is Easter Monday?

The date of Easter Monday in Finland varies from year to year. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: April 22
• 2020: April 13
• 2021: April 5
• 2022: April 18
• 2023: April 10
• 2024: April 1
• 2025: April 21
• 2026: April 6
• 2027: March 29
• 2028: April 17

3. Reading Practice: How is Celebrated?

How is Easter celebrated in Finland? Read the Finnish text below to find out (and find the English translation directly below it)!

—

Palmusunnuntaina lapset pukeutuvat pääsiäisnoidiksi ja lähtevät naapurustoon virpomaan, mukanaan koristelemansa värikkäät pajunoksat. Virpoja toivottaa onnea ja terveyttä pajunoksia heiluttamalla ja lausumalla samaan aikaan virpomislorun. Palkaksi pienet noidat saavat yleensä suklaamunia tai muita makeisia. Koristellut pajunoksat symboloivat palmusunnuntain palmunlehviä ja kevään saapumista. Pajunkissoja ja koivunoksia laitetaan myös kodeissa maljakkoon esille, sekä rairuohoa kasvatetaan kevään ja elämän juhlistamiseksi.

Mämmi on kaikista perinteisin suomalainen pääsiäisherkku. Se on imellettyä, makeaa ruispuuroa, joka valmistetaan ruismaltaasta ja ruisjauhoista. Mämmi tarjoillaan yleensä kuohukerman, maidon tai vaniljajäätelön kanssa. Pasha puolestaan on rahkajälkiruoka, joka on levinnyt suomalaisten pääsiäispöytiin ortodoksien perinteestä. Pääsiäiseen kuuluvat myös pieniä leluja sisältävät suklaamunat ja pääsiäisrakeet. Suolaisia herkkuja ovat erilaiset lammas- ja kalaruoat, verimakkara ja uunijuusto.

Aiemmin uskottiin, että juuri pääsiäisenä hyvät ja pahat voimat taistelevat keskenään. Savun ja kipinöiden uskottiin karkottavan noitia ja pahoja henkiä, joten pääsiäislauantaina sytytettiin suuria rovioita, eli pääsiäiskokkoja.

—

On Palm Sunday, children dress up as Easter witches and go around the neighborhood to do virpominen, carrying colorful willow branches they have decorated themselves. The person conducting the virpominen, known as the virpoja, gives wishes of happiness and good health while waving the willow branches, and reciting a rhyme called virpomisloru, to the receiver. As a reward, the little witches usually receive chocolate eggs or other sweets. The embellished willow branches symbolize the palm leaves from Palm Sunday and the arrival of spring. Willow catkins and birch twigs are also placed in a vase in homes, and Easter rye grass is grown to celebrate spring and life.

Mämmi is the most traditional Finnish Easter delicacy. It is malted, sweet rye porridge which is prepared from rye malts and rye flour. Mämmi is usually served with whipped cream, milk, or vanilla ice cream. Pasha, in turn, is a curd dessert that has spread to Finnish Easter tables from the Orthodox tradition. Chocolate eggs that contain small toys and Easter drops are also a part of Easter. Savory delicacies include different kinds of lamb and fish dishes, blood sausage, and baked cheese.

It was previously believed that during Easter, good and evil forces would fight each other. Smoke and sparks were believed to expel witches and evil spirits, so large stakes and Easter bonfires were lit on Easter Saturday.

4. Additional Information

Do you know any other names the “Holy Week” can go by?
Holy Week is also known as a Silent Week or Torment Week, and each day has its own special name, Palm Sunday, Beam Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

5. Must-know Finnish Vocab for Easter Monday

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Easter Monday in Finland!

• Tipu — “Chick”
• Kristinusko — “Christianity”
• Toinen pääsiäispäivä — “Easter Monday”
• Ilmestyä — “Appear”
• Opetuslapsi — “Disciple”
• Vapaapäivä — “Day off”
• Juhla-ateria — “Festive dinner“
• Narsissi — “Daffodil”
• Rairuoho — “Ryegrass“
• Koivunoksa — “Birch twig”
• Ylösnousemus — “Resurrection”

To hear each word pronounced, check out our Finnish Easter Monday vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

What do you think about the Finnish celebration of Easter? Are Easter celebrations similar in your country, or different? Let us know in the comments!

To learn even more about Finnish culture and the language, visit us at FinnishPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community to discuss lessons with fellow Finnish learners. You can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program, and learn Finnish with your own personal teacher, by upgrading to a Premium Plus account!

All of your efforts will soon reap rewards, and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time! And we’ll be here to teach you and support you all the way there! Best wishes and happy Easter (be sure to enjoy some Finnish chocolate Easter eggs for us)!

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Finnish could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Finnish partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At FinnishPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Finnish lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Finnish dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. Finnish Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. Finnish Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn Finnish Faster?

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your Finnish love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Finnish word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Finnish date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Haluaisitko mennä ulos syömään kanssani?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Finnish is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Oletko vapaa tänä viikonloppuna?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Haluaisitko hengailla kanssani?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• Mihin aikaan tapaisimme huomenna?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Missä tapaisimme?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Näytät hyvältä.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Olet niin söpö.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Mitä mieltä olet tästä paikasta?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your Finnish language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Voinko tavata sinut uudelleen?

So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• Mentäisiinkö jonnekin muualle?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Tiedän hyvän paikan.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Ajan sinut kotiin.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• Se oli hieno ilta.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Milloin voin nähdä sinut uudestaan?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Soitan sinulle.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

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2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the Finnish phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Finnish below!

museum

• museo

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• kynttiläillallinen

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• mennä eläintarhaan

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• mennä pitkälle kävelylle

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• mennä oopperaan

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• mennä merimaailmaan

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• kävellä rannalla

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• pitää piknik

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• laittaa ateria yhdessä

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• illastaa ja katsoa elokuva

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Finnish – think how impressed your date will be!

4. Finnish Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Finnish yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Finnish? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Finnish love on this special day!

I love you.

• Rakastan sinua.

Saying ‘I love you’ in Finnish carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

You mean so much to me.

• Merkitset minulle niin paljon.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Olisitko minun ystävänpäivän rakas?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Olet niin kaunis.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Finnish, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Ajattelen sinua enemmän kuin ystävänä.

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Finnish dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Sata sydäntä ei ole tarpeeksi kuljettamaan kaikki rakkauteni sinulle.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• Rakkaus on vain rakkautta. Sitä ei voi koskaan selittää.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Olet niin komea.

Ladies, this phrase lets your Finnish love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• Olen ihastunut sinuun.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Saat minut haluamaan olla parempi mies.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Finnish girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Olkoon kaikki mitä teet tehtävä rakastuneena.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Olet päivänsäteeni, rakkaani.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• Sanat eivät riitä kuvaamaan rakkauttani sinua kohtaan.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Meidät oli tarkoitettu yhteen.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Jos ajattelit jotakuta lukiessasi tätä, olet varmasti rakastunut.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

5. Finnish Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your Finnish lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Finnish that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your Finnish lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Finnish custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

We need to talk.

• Meidän täytyy puhua.

This is not really a break-up line, but it is a good conversation opener with a serious tone.

It’s not you. It’s me.

• Kyse ei ole sinusta. Vaan minusta.

As long as you mean it, this can be a kind thing to say. It means that there’s nothing wrong with your Finnish lover as a person, but that you need something different from a relationship.

I’m just not ready for this kind of relationship.

• En vain ole valmis tällaiseen suhteeseen.

Things moved a bit fast and got too intense, too soon? Painful as it is, honesty is often the best way to break up with somebody.

Let’s just be friends.

• Ollaan vain ystäviä.

If the relationship was very intense, and you have sent many ‘i love u’ texts in Finnish, this would not be a good breakup line. Feelings need to calm down before you can be friends, if ever. If the relationship has not really developed yet, a friendship would be possible.

I think we need a break.

• Minusta tuntuu, että tarvitsemme tauon.

This is again honest, and to the point. No need to play with someone’s emotions by not letting them know how you feel. However, this could imply that you may fall in love with him/her again after a period of time, so use with discretion.

You deserve better.

• Ansaitset parempaa.

Yes, he/she probably deserves a better relationship if your own feelings have cooled down.

We should start seeing other people.

• Meidän pitäisi tapailla muita ihmisiä.

This is probably the least gentle break-up phrase, so reserve it for a lover that doesn’t get the message!

I need my space.

• Tarvitsen tilaa.

When a person is too clingy or demanding, this would be an suitable break-up phrase. It is another good go-to for that lover who doesn’t get the message!

I think we’re moving too fast.

• Mielestäni etenemme liian nopeasti.

Say this if you want to keep the relationship, but need to slow down its progress a bit. It is also good if you feel things are getting too intense for your liking. However, it is not really a break-up line, so be careful not to mislead.

I need to focus on my career.

• Minun täytyy keskittyä uraani.

If you feel that you will not be able to give 100% in a relationship due to career demands, this is the phrase to use. It’s also good if you are unwilling to give up your career for a relationship.

I’m not good enough for you.

• En ole tarpeeksi hyvä sinulle.

Say this only if you really believe it, or you’ll end up sounding false. Break-ups are usually hard for the receiving party, so don’t insult him/her with an insincere comment.

I just don’t love you anymore.

• En vain rakasta sinua enää.

This harsh line is sometimes the best one to use if you are struggling to get through to a stubborn, clingy lover who won’t accept your break up. Use it as a last resort. Then switch your phone off and block their emails!

We’re just not right for each other.

• Emme vain ole sopivat toisillemme.

If this is how you truly feel, you need to say it. Be kind, gentle and polite.

It’s for the best.

• Se on parempi niin.

This phrase is called for if circumstances are difficult and the relationship is not progressing well. Love should enhance one’s life, not burden it!

We’ve grown apart.

• Olemme kasvaneet erilleen.

Cross-cultural relationships are often long-distance ones, and it is easy to grow apart over time.

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Finnish faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. FinnishPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Finnish language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Finnish Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your Finnish speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
FinnishPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Finnish, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Finnish even faster.

2- Having your Finnish romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Finnish language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!

3- A supportive Finnish lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Finnish partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why FinnishPod101 helps you learn Finnish Even Faster when you’re In Love

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1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Finnish is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at FinnishPod101 is translated into both English and Finnish. So, while your partner can help you learn Finnish faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Finnish Culture
At FinnishPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Finland. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Finnish partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Finnish Phrases
You now have access to FinnishPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Finnish soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!

So, you’re heading for Finland to travel or work. Awesome! You’re in for an amazing adventure! It’s a beautiful country, steeped in a rich culture that may be very unlike your own.

However, showing respect to the locals is a big deal in every country around the world. A respectful manner and attitude could open doors for you that would otherwise remain mystifyingly closed. Aside from just knowing ‘Thank you’ in Finnish, greeting someone correctly in Finnish could incline a local to treat you more favorably than otherwise! So, the clever thing to do would be to learn Finnish greetings before you embark on your journey. Finnish greetings are different from other languages and probably not what you’d expect. But if learning how to say ‘Hello!’ in Finnish in easy and fun ways is important to you, you’ve come to the right place at FinnishPod101.

The focus of this lesson is greetings in Finnish

Topic 1: How to say “Hello”

Sentence from the lesson:

Hei
“Hello (Informal)”

Hei means “Hi” or “Hello.” We can use this greeting with friends or relatives, but also with people we don’t know.
The formal way of greeting people is Hyvää päivää! Literally, hyvää päivää means “Good day.” As a rule of thumb we can use hyvää päivää only during the daytime—from noon until early evening.
During the evening we say: Hyvää iltaa! Ilta is Finnish for “evening,” so hyvää iltaa means “good evening.” Hyvää päivää and hyvää iltaa are used when we meet someone, but when we leave we don’t say these greetings again.
For Example:

Hyvää päivää!
“Good day (formal)”

Topic 2: How to say “Good-bye”

Sentence from the lesson:

Hei hei
“Good-bye (informal)”

When leaving a formal occasion, Finnish people say: Näkemiin. In Finnish we have an expression meaning “See you soon” that can be considered both formal and informal: Nähdään pian!

Language Tip!

In formal situations, Finnish people commonly greet each other by shaking hands. However, if we meet someone we are very friendly with, we hug each other. Don’t be afraid to do it with your Finnish friends—it’s normal!

2. Common Ways to Say Hello in Finnish

Standing at the airport in a foreign country for the first time can be a somewhat scary experience for anyone, especially if you need assistance. However, don’t worry – at FinnishPod101 we teach you how to quickly get a local’s attention with friendly, correct Finnish greetings! You are more likely to get helped this way.

Here is our Finnish greetings list of all the general ways to address a person upon meeting. It is tailored for formal and informal situations.

1- Good morning.

Hyvää huomenta.

‘Good morning’ in Finnish is acceptable any time between approximately 5:30am and 12:00pm, when the day is still young. And smile – it’s the universal ice-breaker!

2- Good evening

Hyvää iltaa.

This greeting is one you would use casually when night begins to fall. Address your friends, close family or close acquaintances, and those who are not your superiors, with this phrase.

3- How are you?

Miten voit?

Show your friendly interest in another person’s well-being by asking this question. This is the casual greeting form that you would use with your friends and family. For the sake of the friendship, it would be good to listen carefully to the answer! It shows caring and selflessness on your part.

4- How have you been?

Miten voit?

This is a good question to ask someone you have not seen for a while. The inference is that some catching-up is needed!

5- What’s up?

Miten menee?

An universally informal and energetic way to greet your friends or equals! Literally, it means ‘What’s going on in your life?’, yet often no answer is expected. It’s just a greeting! Crazy, right?!

6- Long time no see.

Pitkästä aikaa.

This phrase means is another greeting comment that means “I have not seen you for a while!” Often, no response is expected, except to reciprocate.

7- Hey!

Hei!

This is a friendly exclamation to greet your friends or equals with. Reserve its use more for people you see regularly!

8- Good afternoon.

Hyvää iltapäivää

‘Good afternoon’ in Finnish is an informal greeting and is used during the second part of the day. The appropriate period falls, in most cultures, from 12:00am till sunset.

9- How’s it going?

Miten menee?

This greeting phrase basically means the same as ‘How are things progressing?’, ‘How are things going in your life?’ or even ‘What’s up?’ Depending on the friendship, a lengthy answer is not always expected.

10- It’s nice to see you again.

On mukava nähdä taas.

This friendly, welcoming phrase is best used after greeting someone you have not seen for a while. If you mean it, you will make the person feel special! This is a good thing to say to make someone feel welcome in Finnish.

11- How’s everything?

Mitä kuuluu?

This is a variation of ‘How’s it going?’ Use casually with your equals or close acquaintances.

12- How’s your day?

Miten päiväsi sujuu?

Ask this when you’re speaking to your Finnish friend during the day. It’s a friendly phrase to start a conversation with.

13- Yo!

Yo!

Yo! is English slang and a universal greeting popular among young men of most nationalities. Rather don’t answer the phone with this, unless you know your caller well!

14- Hello!

Hei!

Suitable for use in most settings, situations and persons, this is an important Finnish greeting to know. Be sure to master this word first at FinnishPod101!

15- It’s nice to meet you.

Mukava tavata sinut.

When meeting someone for the first time, this is a polite and friendly way to welcome them. It means you are happy to make their acquaintance.

3. Why Should You Choose FinnishPod101 To Learn How To Greet In Finnish?

Online learning systems abound, and it’s not easy to know which one will suit your needs best. This means you have to be careful and select a system with a good reputation, and that has proven longevity. FinnishPod101, which is part of InnovativeLearning.com, ticks all the boxes! With millions of lesson downloads and over a decade of teaching, we can say with confidence that this is one of the best language learning systems on the web. Why is it such an excellent system? Let us count the ways…

1- Video Presentations with Native Speakers

Friendly native Finnish speakers guide you step-by-step through the process of learning vocabulary, phrases and much more. They demonstrate correct pronunciation and emphasis of the words, so as to ensure that you speak like a native when you’re done! Watching the enthusiastic tutors makes not only for a pleasant and more personal experience – it also allows you to copy mouth and lip movements. It’s like learning from your own Finnish friend in your own home!

2- Superb Flexibility with 24/7 Access to Learning Material – Anywhere and on Any Device connected to the Internet!

PC, Android, iPhone, iPad, laptop, even TV – whatever device you prefer! Go online with our FREE app to do your lessons, no matter where you are or which device you are using. All you need is a good internet connection to log on and learn to speak Finnish at your own pace, in your own place!

3- Pronunciation Tool Ensures You Really Speak Finnish!

In any language, correct pronunciation is often crucial. The nuances in language require this, or you could find yourself saying things you don’t mean. You will find our Pronunciation Tool invaluable to wrap your mouth around the correct way to greet in Finnish!

4- Our Content is Always New and Dynamic

Every week, new audio and video lessons are uploaded, so as to keep our promise that learning Finnish with FinnishPod101 is always fun and exciting! In addition, you will get access to bonus material and basic Finnish phrases. These are a fantastic way to build your comprehension and speaking skills!

5- Need to Fast Track your Learning? We Have the Solution!

Most learning activities are more fun when you’re not doing them alone. For this reason we developed Premium PLUS, which gives you a personal tutor – 24/7! Also, this way you’re likely to learn to speak Finnish much faster!

So, if our lively Finnish blog is not enough for you, just upgrade to Premium PLUS to get your very own teacher. Personalised goals and lessons based on your needs, assessment of your progress, non-stop feedback and many other super features makes this a very attractive option.

Say ‘Hello’ to a wonderful, exciting way to learn another language, and learn how to say ‘Hello’ in Finnish in no time! You will be very happy you did!

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day around the world!

Table of Contents

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day
2. Finnish Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day
3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody
4. How Can FinnishPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?
5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Finnish – Testing New Technology

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day

Do you want to know how to say April Fools’ Day in Finnish? Well, there are millions of ways and words, but here are the top one million Finnish words you really need to know! Simply click this link. Here are some of them you will find useful:

1. joke – vitsailla
2. funny – hauska
3. lie – valehdella
4. surprise – yllättää
5. prankster – keppostelija
6. prank – kepponen
7. sneaky – ovela
8. play a joke – höynäyttää
9. humor – huumori
10. fool – hölmö
11. deceptive – petollinen
12. April 1st – aprillipäivä

2. Finnish Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day

Don’t limit yourself to practical jokes – use these April Fools’ phrases in Finnish to prank your favorite Finnish friend or colleague!

1. I learned Finnish in 1 month.
   • Opin suomen kielen yhdessä kuukaudessa.
2. All classes for today got canceled.
   • Kaikki tunnit on tänään peruttu.
3. I’m sorry, but I’ve just broken your favorite pair of glasses.
   • Olen pahoillani, mutta rikoin juuri suosikkisilmälasisi.
4. Someone has just hit your car.
   • Joku törmäsi autoosi juuri.
5. I’m getting married.
   • Olen menossa naimisiin.
6. You won a free ticket.
   • Voitit vapaalipun.
7. I saw your car being towed.
   • Näin autosi hinattavan pois.
8. They’re giving away free gift cards in front of the building.
   • Rakennuksen edessä jaetaan ilmaisia lahjakortteja.
9. A handsome guy is waiting for you outside.
   • Komea mies odottaa sinua ulkona.
10. A beautiful lady asked me to give this phone number to you.
    • Kaunis nainen pyysi minua antamaan tämän puhelinnumeron sinulle.
11. Can you come downstairs? I have something special for you.
    • Voitko tulla alakertaan? Minulla on jotain erityistä sinulle
12. Thank you for your love letter this morning. I never could have guessed your feelings.
    • Kiitos rakkauskirjeestäsi tänä aamuna. En olisi koskaan voinut arvata tunteitasi.

Choose your victims carefully, though; the idea is to get them to laugh with you, not to hurt their feelings or humiliate them in front of others. Be extra careful if you choose to play a prank on your boss – you don’t want to antagonize them with an inappropriate joke.

3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody

Right, now that you know the top million April Fools’ words in Finnish, let’s look at some super pranks and tricks to play on friends, colleagues and family. Some April Fools ideas never grow old, while new ones are born every year.

Never joke in such a way that it hurts anyone, or humiliates them badly in front of others – the idea is for everybody to laugh and enjoy the fun! Respect is still key, no matter what day of the year it is.

1- Infestation

This trick is so simple, yet so creepy, it’s almost unbelievable. Take black paper, cut out the silhouette of a giant cockroach, a spider or another insect, and stick it inside the lampshade of a table lamp. When the lamp is switched on, it will look like a monstrous insect is sitting inside the lampshade. Or, get a whole lot of realistic-looking plastic insects, and spread them over a colleague’s desk and chair, or, at home, over the kids’ beds etc. Creep-factor: stellar.

2- Which One Doesn’t Fit?

Put the photo of a celebrity or a notorious politician in a frame, and take it to work on April Fools’ Day. Hang the photo on the staff picture wall, and wait. You’ll be surprised how long it can take for people to notice that one picture doesn’t fit.

3- Something Weird in the Restroom

At work, replace the air freshener in the restroom with something noxious like insect killer, oven cleaner or your own odious mixture in a spray bottle. Be sure to cover the bottle’s body so no one suspects a swap.

Or paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish, and leave it at the hand wash basin. It will not lather.

Or, if your workplace’s restroom has partitioned toilets with short doors, arrange jeans or trousers and shoes on all but one of the toilet covers, so it looks like every stall is occupied. Now wait for complaints, and see how long it takes for someone to figure out the April Fools’ Day prank. You’ll probably wish you had a camera inside the restroom. But, unless you don’t mind getting fired, don’t put your own recording device in there!

4- Call Me Funny

Prepare and print out a few posters with the following instructions: Lion Roar Challenge! Call this number – 123-456-7890 – and leave your best lion’s roar as voicemail! Best roarer will be announced April 10 in the cafeteria. Prize: $100. (Lion’s roar is just an example; you can use any animal call, or even a movie character’s unique sound, such as Chewbacca from Star Wars. The weirder, the funnier. Obviously!) Put the posters up in the office where most of the staff is likely to see them. Now wait for the owner of the number to visit you with murderous intent. Have a conciliatory gift ready that’s not a prank.

5- Minty Cookies

This is another simple but hugely effective prank – simply separate iced cookies, scrape off the icing, and replace it with toothpaste. Serve during lunch or tea break at work, or put in your family’s lunch boxes. Be sure to take photos of your victim’s faces when they first bite into your April Fools’ cookies.

6- Wild Shopping

At your local grocer, place a realistic-looking plastic snake or spider among the fresh vegetables. Now wait around the corner for the first yell.

7- The Oldest Trick in the Book

Don’t forget probably the oldest, yet very effective April Fools’ joke in the book – smearing hand cream or Vaseline on a door handle that most staff, family or friends are likely to use. Yuck to the max!

8- Sneeze On Me

Another golden oldie is also gross, yet harmless and utterly satisfying as a prank. Fill a small spray bottle that you can easily conceal with water. Walk past a friend, colleague or one of your kids, and fake a sneeze while simultaneously spraying them with a bit of water. Expect to be called a totally disgusting person. Add a drop of lovely smelling essential oil to the water for extra confusion.

9- Word Play Repairs

Put a fresh leek in the hand wash basin at home or work, and then tell your housemates or colleagues this: “There’s a huge leak in the restroom/bathroom basin, it’s really serious. Please can someone go have a look?!” Expect exasperation and smiles all around. Note that this prank is only likely to work where people understand English well.

10- Scary Face

Print out a very scary face on an A4 sheet of paper, and place it in a colleague’s, or one of your kid’s drawers, so it’s the first thing they see when they open the drawer. You may not be very popular for a while.

11- Wake Up To Madness

Put foamy shaving cream, or real whipped cream on your hand, and wake your kid up by tickling their nose with it. As long as they get the joke, this could be a wonderful and fun way to start April Fools’ Day.

12- Computer Prank

This one’s fabulous, if you have a bit of time to fiddle with a colleague, friend or your kid’s computer. It is most effective on a computer where most of the icons they use are on the desktop background itself (as opposed to on the bottom task bar).

Take and save a screenshot of their desktop with the icons. Set this screenshot as their background image. Now delete all the working icons. When they return to their computer, wait for the curses when no amount of clicking on the icons works.

13- Monster Under the Cup

This one will also work well anywhere people meet. Take a paper cup, and write the following on it in black pen: “Danger! Don’t lift, big spider underneath.” Place it upside-down on prominent flat surface, such as a kitchen counter, a colleague’s desk or a restaurant table. Expect some truly interesting responses.

14- Prank Door

Write in large letters on a large and noticeable piece of paper: PUSH. Tape this notice on a door that should be pulled to open, and watch the hilarious struggle of those clever souls who actually read signs.

4. How Can FinnishPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?

If you happen to visit Finland, or if you work for any Finnish company, knowing the above Finnish prankster phrases can really lighten up your day. Showing you have a sense of humor can go a long way to cement good relationships in any situation. These phrases are at your disposal for free, as well as are these 100 core Finnish words, which you will learn how to pronounce perfectly.

Also, don’t stop at learning April Fools’ phrases in Finnish – bone up your Finnish language skills with these FREE key phrases. Yes, FinnishPod101 doesn’t joke when it comes to effective, fun and easy learning.

Now, as a bonus, test our super-learning technology, and learn the Top 1000 most useful phrases in Finnish below! But that’s not all. Read on to learn how you can be eligible for large enrollment discounts at FinnishPod101.

5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Finnish – testing new technology

Help us by being a language guinea pig! Listen to this video above with embedded cutting-edge, frequency-based learning technology that enables you to learn large amounts of data in record time.

• Note: This technology is in beta-phase of development, and we invite your input for fine-tuning.
• To participate: Watch the video for instructions, and leave a comment to rate it. Your comment will make you eligible for large enrollment-fee discounts. To watch the video, please click the play button.

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