How to Say Hello in Finnish Language: Guide to Finnish Greetings

Every connection begins with a simple hello — and in Finnish, it’s no different. If you’re curious about how to say hello in Finnish language, you’re not alone. Finnish, with its unique sounds and structure, might seem intimidating at first, but greetings are a great place to begin. Whether you’re traveling to Helsinki, chatting with a Finnish friend, or starting to learn Finnish from scratch, knowing how to greet people properly opens the door to authentic conversations.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to say hello in Finnish in different contexts
• Cultural tips for greetings
• Pronunciation help
• Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Let’s dive into the beautiful world of Finnish greetings.

Table of Contents

The Most Common Ways to Say Hello in Finnish

Let’s start with the basics. The most frequently used greetings in Finnish include:

• Hei — The most general and common way to say “hello.” It works in nearly every context.
• Moi — A very informal and friendly version of “hi.” Great among friends or casual situations.
• Terve — Slightly more old-fashioned, but still used — especially in rural areas or by older speakers.

✅ Pro tip: “Hei” and “Moi” are interchangeable in most day-to-day conversations.

You might also hear:

• Heippa — A cute, casual version of “hei.” Sometimes also used as “bye!”
• Moikka — An even friendlier version of “moi.” Think of it like “Heya!” in English.

Formal vs. Informal Greetings

Like many languages, Finnish distinguishes between formal and informal settings — but the divide is not as rigid as in, say, French or Japanese.

Use “Hei” or “Hyvää päivää” in formal situations:

• Business meetings
• Speaking with elders
• Job interviews or customer service

Use “Moi” or “Moikka” in casual settings:

• With friends
• At school
• With peers in relaxed environments

👔 If unsure, default to “Hei.” It’s polite but not overly stiff.

Finnish Pronunciation Basics

To speak Finnish greetings confidently, it’s essential to understand a few basic pronunciation rules:

• “Hei” is pronounced like “hay.”
• “Moi” sounds like “moy.”
• “Terve” is pronounced “ter-veh” (roll the ‘r’ slightly).
• “Hyvää päivää” (Good day) is said “hoo-vaah pie-vaah.”

Finnish is a phonetic language, so what you see is what you pronounce. Practicing greetings aloud is key!

Time-Based Greetings in Finnish

Just like in English, Finns use specific greetings for different times of day:

🌅 These phrases are more formal, often used in customer service or respectful situations.

Greeting Groups or Strangers

In Finland, greetings are typically brief. If you enter a room or greet a group:

• A simple “Hei kaikille” (“Hello everyone”) works.
• For a shop or café: “Hei!” upon entering is polite.
• Don’t be surprised if others don’t greet first — Finns are reserved, not rude.

Phone Calls and Virtual Chats

Phone and digital communication in Finnish also has its greeting norms:

• “Haloo” — Equivalent to “Hello?” when answering the phone.
• “Hei, täällä on [your name]” — “Hi, this is [your name].”
• Emails or texts often begin with “Moi” or “Hei”, followed by the person’s name.

💬 Emojis are welcome in casual chats, but keep greetings brief and clear.

Goodbye in Finnish (Since Every Hello Ends Somewhere)

Of course, if you learn how to say hello in Finnish language, you’ll need to know how to say goodbye, too.

Common farewells include:

• Hei hei — Bye-bye (friendly and common)
• Moikka — Can be used for both hello and goodbye
• Nähdään — See you
• Hyvästi — A very formal or emotional goodbye, rarely used

👋 Tip: “Heippa” and “Moikka” are cheerful and casual for departures.

Body Language and Greeting Etiquette in Finland

Cultural behavior matters when greeting someone:

• Finns rarely hug or kiss in greetings — even among friends.
• A firm handshake is appropriate in formal contexts.
• Eye contact is important but not aggressive.
• Smiling while saying “Hei” is friendly and welcome.

Don’t overdo enthusiasm — Finnish culture values sincerity and calmness.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common missteps:

• Mixing up “Hei” and “Hei hei” — one is hello, one is goodbye!
• Overusing slang greetings in professional settings
• Assuming everyone will reply right away — silence is okay in Finnish culture
• Mispronouncing “Hyvää” — remember the soft “v” sound

😅 Practice out loud to develop muscle memory and avoid tongue-twisters.

Practice Tips and Tools

To really master how to say hello in Finnish language, you need to speak, listen, and repeat regularly.

Try these methods:

• Use YouTube to hear real Finnish greetings in use.
• Try the Avatalks Chat to practice saying “Hei” and more with feedback.
• Set your phone’s assistant to Finnish and say “Hei” to activate it.
• Greet yourself in the mirror — yes, it works!
• Watch Finnish TV shows and note how characters greet each other.

Consistent exposure builds familiarity and confidence.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to say hello in Finnish language is more than memorizing a word. It’s your entry point into a respectful, rich culture — and a way to open real conversations with real people.

Whether you say “Hei,” “Moi,” or “Terve,” what matters most is your willingness to try and your respect for the language.

Every language starts with hello. In Finnish, that hello could be the start of a beautiful connection.

So next time you meet a Finn or visit Finland, say it loud and proud: “Hei!”