Learn Finnish
English | Finnish | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Hello | Hyvää päivää | |||
Good evening | Hyvää iltaa | |||
Goodbye | Näkemiin | |||
Goodbye | Moikka! / Hei Hei! | |||
See you later | Nähdään pian | |||
Yes | Kyllä | |||
Yes | Joo | |||
No | Ei | |||
Please! | Anteeksi! | |||
Thanks | Kiitos | |||
Thanks a lot | Kiitos paljon | |||
Thank you for your help | Kiitos avustanne | |||
Don't mention it | Eipä kestä | |||
Don't mention it | Ole hyvä | |||
Ok | Selvä | |||
Ok | Ok | |||
How much is it? | Mikä on tämän hinta? | |||
How much is it? | Paljonko tämä maksaa? | |||
Sorry! | Anteeksi | |||
Sorry! | Sori | |||
I don't understand | En ymmärrä | |||
I get it | Ymmärsin | |||
I don't know | En tiedä | |||
Forbidden | Kielletty | |||
Excuse me, where are the toilets? | Missä wc on? | |||
Excuse me, where are the toilets? | Missä vessa on? | |||
Happy New Year! | Hyvää uutta vuotta! | |||
Happy birthday! | Hyvää syntymäpäivää! | |||
Congratulations! | Onneksi olkoon! | |||
Congratulations! | Onnea! Onnittelut! |
First contact
How to Learn Finnish in 10 Steps?
1. Learn the Alphabet and Pronunciation of Sounds. Start by mastering the Finnish alphabet and the pronunciation of each letter. This foundational step will help you read and pronounce Finnish words correctly.
2. Learn Basic Vocabulary. Begin with common words and phrases that are useful in everyday conversation. Building a strong vocabulary base will enhance your understanding of spoken and written Finnish.
3. Practice Speaking. Immersing yourself in the language by listening to native speakers is crucial. Watch YouTube videos, movies, and TV shows in Finnish. Repeat the words and phrases you hear to improve your pronunciation. Even practicing alone can be highly effective, and we offer a unique tool dedicated to this type of training.
4. Learn the Basics of Grammar. Familiarize yourself with Finnish grammar, including verbs, nouns, articles, and pronouns. Understanding these rules will help you construct simple and correct sentences in Finnish.
5. Find a Conversation Partner. Engage in conversations with native speakers or other learners. Use the vocabulary and phrases you have learned to introduce yourself, discuss your interests, and ask questions. Regular practice will significantly enhance your comprehension and speaking skills.
6. Read in Finnish. Reading books, newspapers, and magazines in Finnish will improve your language comprehension and introduce you to new vocabulary in context.
7. Find the Right Educational Resources. Utilize books, online courses, apps, and websites tailored to your learning level and goals. Choosing the right resources will make your learning journey more effective and enjoyable.
8. Join a Language Course with a Teacher. Enrolling in a course with a qualified teacher can accelerate your learning. Many websites offer access to skilled teachers who can provide personalized guidance.
9. Anticipate Periods of Stagnation. It's normal to experience phases where progress seems slow. Continue practicing and diversify your learning methods to overcome these periods. Persistence is key to eventual success.
10. Be Regular and Consistent. Consistent practice is more effective than sporadic, lengthy study sessions. Aim to spend a few minutes each day on language exercises. This regularity will steadily improve your skills and help you reach your learning goals. Remember, enjoying the process is the best motivator for learning.
How to Learn Finnish by Yourself? Start with an Easy and Free Online Course!
We have adopted an objective and efficient approach to learn how to speak a language easily and quickly. We suggest you start by memorizing words, phrases, and practical expressions that you can use in everyday life and that will be useful when traveling. Getting used to pronouncing words out loud, such as numbers, is an easy exercise you can practice often and at any time throughout the day.
This practice will help you get accustomed to the sounds of your chosen language, making it more familiar. Once your holidays have begun, whether in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, or another Finnish city, you will be surprised at how familiar and easy to understand it will seem.
Additionally, using a pocket dictionary is always useful, especially during a trip. It allows you to find the translation of new words and enrich your vocabulary.
Why Speak Finnish While Traveling?
Finland, a key destination in Northern Europe, is often ranked among the top countries for quality of life and education. It is a charming destination for both tourism and business. Finland is home to globally recognized companies like Nokia and Rautaruukki, and many successful apps such as Angry Birds and Clash of Clans. The country's stunning landscapes are comprised of lakes, mountains, and islands.
Finland is also renowned for offering some of the best locations to view the northern lights, attracting tourists worldwide. The country's rich cultural heritage, including traditions like the globally famous sauna, adds to its appeal.
The Finnish music scene is internationally acclaimed, with rock and metal artists such as Stratovarius, Nightwish, and Sonata Arctica. Finnish cinema also has notable directors like Aki Kaurismäki and Renny Harlin.
Make a Success of Your Stay in Finland
Whether you are on a leisure trip with friends or a business trip, being able to speak a few words in Finnish will be incredibly useful. Your efforts to communicate in the local language will be appreciated and may lead to more helpful interactions.
How to Succeed in Having Good Pronunciation Within a Week to a Month?
Spoken by about 6 million people, mostly in Finland and the autonomous republic of Karelia, Finnish is an Uralic language written with the Latin alphabet and is almost completely phonemic, which is advantageous for beginners. Among the unique features of Finnish are the assimilation of W to V, the distinct letters Å, Ä, and Ö, and the use of double characters to indicate long vowels or geminate consonants. Here are some tips for correct pronunciation:
- The R: Always rolled.
- The Ä: Pronounced as the A in the English word "cat".
- The E: Pronounced like the French É.
The Finnish Alphabet
The Finnish alphabet consists of 29 letters, including 8 vowels and 21 consonants. The letters are:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Å, Ä, Ö. These unusual vowels, Å, Ä, and Ö, are unique to languages spoken in northern European countries and are crucial in Finnish, giving it unique sounds and enabling the correct spelling of specific words.
On our site, you can listen to the sounds of each letter in the alphabet, with examples for each one.
We invite you to listen to the pronunciation of the letters by clicking on the following link: Finnish alphabet with audio.