Part of the series The Scandinavian Languages
Finnish Pronunciation Guide:
Finnish (also called Suomi) has regular pronunciation without many exceptions. Usually, Finnish words are pronounced just like they are spelled. Keep these differences between Finnish and English vowels in mind when pronouncing Finnish phrases:
A: pronounced like the u in "cup"
Ä: sounds close to the a in "hat"
E: pronounced like e in "hen"
I: sounds like i in "tip"
Y: close to the u in the British pronunciation of "you" with tight lips
Ö: pronounced like the u in "fur" with tight lips
Greetings & Small Talk
Hello: Hei.
Goodbye: Näkemiin.
Yes: Kyllä.
No: Ei.
Thank you: Kiitos.
You are welcome: Ei kestä.
Excuse me: Anteeksi.
My name is ...: Nimeni on ...
Nice to meet you: Hauska tavata.
Finnish Travel Phrases
Hotel: Hotelli
Room: Huone
Reservation: Varaus
Do you have any vacancies today?: Onko täksi illaksi vielä tilaa?
I'm sorry, I don't speak Finnish: Anteeksi, en puhu suomea.
No vacancies: Ei ole tilaa.
Passport: Passi
Airport: Lentokenttä
Train station: Rautatieasema
Bus station: Bussiasema
Where is ...?: Missä on ...?
Ticket: Lippu
1 ticket to ... : Yksi lippu ...
Train: Juna
Bus: Bussi
Subway: Metro
Numbers & Days in Finnish
1: yksi, 2: kaksi, 3: kolme, 4: neljä, 5: viisi, 6: kuusi, 7: seitsemän, 8: kahdeksan, 9: yhdeksän, 10: kymmenen
Monday: maanantai, Tuesday: tiistai, Wednesday: keskiviikko, Thursday: torstai, Friday: perjantai, Saturday: lauantai, Sunday: sunnuntai
And a very popular Finnish word: "Perkele!" which is a common swearword (do not use this word in formal conversations).
Go back to the overview The Scandinavian Languages where you can find more language tips and useful phrases for travelers!
