If you’re looking for common Finnish phrases to help you start speaking right away, this guide is for you. If you are traveling to Helsinki, talking with Finnish friends, or learning the language, these key phrases will help. They will make you sound more natural and confident in real conversations.
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Why Learn Common Finnish Phrases?
Finnish may seem scary at first, but don’t worry. Starting with simple, everyday phrases makes it easier to learn. These expressions can help you:
- Greet people politely
- Ask for help or directions
- Navigate shops, restaurants, and hotels
- Break the ice in conversations
- Show cultural respect
Even knowing a few key Finnish phrases can go a long way in making meaningful connections.
Pronunciation Tip: Speak Like a Finn
Finnish is phonetic, meaning words are pronounced just as they’re written. Vowels are short or long (indicated by doubling the letter), and stress is usually on the first syllable.
For example:
- kiitos (thank you) = kee-toss
- moi (hi) = moy
Essential Greetings in Finnish
| English | Finnish | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Hello | Hei / Moi | hey / moy |
| Good morning | Hyvää huomenta | hoo-va hoo-men-ta |
| Good afternoon | Hyvää päivää | hoo-va pie-va |
| Good evening | Hyvää iltaa | hoo-va eel-ta |
| Good night | Hyvää yötä | hoo-va yur-ta |
| Goodbye | Näkemiin | nah-keh-meen |
| See you | Nähdään | nah-dan |
Polite Phrases You’ll Use Often
| English | Finnish | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Please | Ole hyvä | oh-leh hoo-va |
| Thank you | Kiitos | kee-toss |
| You’re welcome | Ei kestä | ay kest-a |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Anteeksi | an-teck-see |
| Yes | Kyllä | kew-la |
| No | Ei | ay |
| Maybe | Ehkä | eh-ka |
| I don’t understand | En ymmärrä | en oom-mar-ra |
| Can you help me? | Voitko auttaa? | voy-tko out-tah? |
Getting Around: Directions & Travel Phrases
| English | Finnish |
|---|
| Where is the restroom? | Missä on WC? |
| How do I get to the airport? | Miten pääsen lentokentälle? |
| I’m lost | Olen eksynyt |
| Left / Right | Vasen / Oikea |
| Straight ahead | Suoraan eteenpäin |
| Can you show me on the map? | Voitko näyttää kartalta? |
| Is it far? | Onko se kaukana? |
| I need a taxi | Tarvitsen taksin |
| Which bus goes to the center? | Mikä bussi menee keskustaan? |
| How much is a ticket? | Paljonko lippu maksaa? |
| I’d like to buy a ticket | Haluaisin ostaa lipun |
| Where is the train station? | Missä on rautatieasema? |
| What time does the train leave? | Monelta juna lähtee? |
| Does this go to Helsinki? | Meneekö tämä Helsinkiin? |
| How long does it take? | Kuinka kauan kestää? |
| Can I walk there? | Voinko kävellä sinne? |
| I’m looking for this address | Etsin tätä osoitetta |
| Is there Wi-Fi here? | Onko täällä Wi-Fi? |
At a Restaurant or Café
| English | Finnish |
|---|
| A table for two, please | Pöytä kahdelle, kiitos |
| Can I see the menu? | Saisinko ruokalistan? |
| I’m vegetarian | Olen kasvissyöjä |
| I’m allergic to… | Olen allerginen… |
| The bill, please | Lasku, kiitos |
| It was delicious! | Se oli herkullista! |
| What do you recommend? | Mitä suosittelet? |
| I have a food allergy | Minulla on ruoka-aineallergia |
| I’m lactose intolerant | Olen laktoosi-intolerantti |
| I don’t eat meat | En syö lihaa |
| Is this dish spicy? | Onko tämä ruoka tulinen? |
| I’ll have the same | Otan saman |
| Can I get this to go? | Saanko tämän mukaan? |
| Can I get some water, please? | Saisinko vettä, kiitos? |
| Do you have vegan options? | Onko teillä vegaanivaihtoehtoja? |
| That was amazing! | Se oli todella hyvää! |
| English | Finnish |
|---|
| How much does it cost? | Paljonko se maksaa? |
| That’s too expensive | Se on liian kallis |
| Do you accept cards? | Käykö kortti? |
| I’m just looking | Katselen vain |
| I’ll take it | Otan tämän |
| Do you have this in another size/color? | Onko tätä toisessa koossa/värissä? |
| Can I try this on? | Voinko sovittaa tätä? |
| I’m looking for a gift | Etsin lahjaa |
| Do you have a receipt? | Onko teillä kuittia? |
| Can I return this? | Voinko palauttaa tämän? |
| It’s too small/big | Se on liian pieni / iso |
| What are your opening hours? | Mitkä ovat aukioloaikanne? |
| Is this on sale? | Onko tämä alennuksessa? |
| Do you offer tax-free shopping? | Saako tästä verovapaan ostoksen? |
Introduce Yourself
| English | Finnish |
|---|
| What’s your name? | Mikä sinun nimesi on? |
| My name is… | Minun nimeni on… |
| Nice to meet you | Hauska tavata |
| Where are you from? | Mistä olet kotoisin? |
| I’m from… | Olen kotoisin… |
| I live in… | Asun… |
Emergencies & Important Words
| English | Finnish |
|---|
| Help! | Apuva! |
| Call the police! | Soita poliisille! |
| I need a doctor | Tarvitsen lääkärin |
| I feel sick | Minulla on huono olo |
| Fire! | Tulipalo! |
| Stop! | Seis! |
Slang & Casual Phrases
| English | Finnish Slang | Context Use |
|---|
| What’s up? | Mitä kuuluu? | Informal greeting |
| Cool! | Siistiä! | Expressing excitement |
| I don’t care | Ihan sama | Used casually |
| Chill out | Rauhoitu | When someone is stressed |
| Awesome | Mahtavaa! | For something impressive |
Cultural Tips for Speaking Finnish
- Finns value honesty: Be direct and clear, even when speaking as a learner.
- Don’t over-apologize: Finns don’t use “sorry” as frequently as in English.
- Quiet is okay: Silence is part of Finnish communication; don’t feel awkward.
- Pronunciation matters: A small vowel change can alter meaning entirely.
Practice Tips to Memorize Phrases
- Use flashcards: Write Finnish on one side, English on the other.
- Watch Finnish TV or YouTube with subtitles.
- Repeat phrases aloud every day.
- Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or Memrise.
- Speak with native speakers through language exchange apps.
Bonus: Finnish Phrases You Won’t Learn in Textbooks
| English Translation | Finnish Phrase |
|---|
| The weather sucks | Sää on ihan paska |
| That’s nonsense | Älä viitsi! |
| Stop talking nonsense | Höpö höpö! |
| I’m dead tired | Olen ihan poikki |
| No worries | Ei se mitään |
These expressions add color to your Finnish and make you sound more like a local.
Conclusion: Start Using These Finnish Phrases Today
Learning common Finnish phrases is the first step toward fluency. With these greetings, polite expressions, travel tips, and slang phrases, you’ll be well-prepared for daily conversations in Finland. Don’t worry about perfection—start using what you know and build your confidence one phrase at a time.
Want more Finnish learning tips? Check out our complete beginner’s guide to Finnish.