'''Finnish''' (''suomen kieli'', ''suomi'') is spoken in Finland and by Finns elsewhere, predominantly in Scandinavia. Finland is officially bilingual in Finnish and Swedish, and most Finns eventually learn both languages. In contrast, very few Swedes and even fewer foreigners learn Finnish.

Understand

Finnish is a '''Finno-Ugric language''' and hence completely unrelated to almost every language between Ireland and India. (In particular, Finnish has nothing at all in common with Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or any other Scandinavian language or Russian, except for a load of loan words.) The origin of these languages traces back over 5000 years to nomadic peoples of the Ural mountains in Russia that migrated westward into Europe. Just across the Gulf of Finland the closest modern relative to the Finnish language, Estonian, is spoken. Other related languages are the Sami languages of Lapland and the Murmansk Peninsula, and more distantly, Hungarian.

Pronunciation

The Finnish language is fairly easy to pronounce: it has one of the most phonetic writing systems in the world, with only a small number of simple consonants and relatively few vowel sounds. Native English speakers tend to have the most problems with '''vowel length''' and the distinction between the '''front vowels''' (a, o, y) and '''back vowels''' (a, o, u). English ''does'' make the same distiction — consider the "a" sounds of ''father'' (back) and ''cat'' (front), or the difference in the "i" sound for ''bit'' (short) and ''beat'' (long) — but you will need to pay extra attention to it in Finnish.

In Finnish, all vowels are single sounds (or "pure" vowels). All diphthongs retain the individual sounds of its vowels but are slightly blended together to be pronounced in one "beat". Doubled letters are simply pronounced longer, but it's important to differentiate between short and long sounds. Example:

: '''tuli''' → fire : '''tuuli''' → wind : '''tulli''' → customs

The basic Finnish alphabet consists of the following letters:

:'''a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p r s t u v y z ä ö'''

Additionally the letters '''š''' and '''?''' appear in a small number of loanwords and are pronounced like English '''sh''' and as '''s''' in ''trea'''s'''ure'', respectively. The letter '''w''' also occurs infrequently in some proper names and is treated identically to '''v'''. Lastly, the letter '''å''' occurs in some Swedish proper names and is pronounced "o", but the beginning learner need not worry about these minutiae.

Vowels

Long vowels are indicated simply by doubling the vowel in question.

; a : like '''a''' in ''f'''a'''ther'', but short and clipped ; aa : like '''a''' in ''f'''a'''ther'' ; e : like '''e''' in ''g'''e'''t'' ; ee : not found in English, but just stretch out the ''e'' sound ; i : like '''i''' in ''b'''i'''t'' ; ii : like '''ee''' in ''b'''ee'''t'' ; o : like '''o''' in ''c'''o'''d'' ; oo : like '''oo''' in ''d'''oo'''r'' ; u : like '''ou''' in ''w'''ou'''ld'' ; uu : like '''oo''' in ''m'''oo'''n'' ; y : like German '''u''', similar to '''ew''' in ''f'''ew''' '' but with lips rounded (''transcribed '''uu''' '') ; yy : not found in English, but just stretch out the ''y'' sound ; a : like '''a''' in ''c'''a'''t'' ; aa : like '''a''' in ''b'''a'''d'' ; o : like German '''o''', similar to '''e''' in ''h'''e'''r'' (''transcribed '''eu''' '') ; oo : not found in English, but just stretch out the "o" sound

Consonants

If a Finnish consonant is '''doubled''', it should be pronounced with a brief '''glottal stop''', meaning that your mouth is ready to say it but pauses for a moment. Hence ''mato'' (worm) is "MAto", but ''matto'' (carpet) is "MA'to".

; b c d f : pronounced as in English (not used in native Finnish words, except for d, which is used in some words) ; g : like '''g''' in '' '''g'''et'' ; h : like '''h''' in '' '''h'''otel'', pronounced more strongly before a consonant ; j : like '''y''' in '' '''y'''es'' ; k : similar to English '''k''', but unaspirated and slightly voiced ; ks : pronounced as two separate syllables, ''not'' like the letter x. ; l m n : pronounced as in English ; nk ng : pronounced like '''ng''' in ''si'''ng''' '' ; p : similar to English '''p''', but unaspirated and slightly voiced ; r : trilled, as in Spanish pe'''rr'''o ; s : like '''ss''' in ''hi'''ss''' '' ; t : pronounced as in English ; v w : like '''v''' in '' '''v'''ine'' ; z : like '''ts''' in ''ca'''ts''' '' (not used in native Finnish words)

Stress and tone

Word stress is '''always''' on the first syllable; compounds words have more than one stressed syllable. There is '''no tone whatsoever''' in Finnish speech, just a long strings of fairly monotone sounds, with all syllables given equal value except the first one. Foreigners tend to think this makes the language sound rather depressing; Finns, on the other hand, wonder why everybody else's languages-- including Russian-- sound so sing-songy.

Grammar

Finnish grammar is radically different from English (or any other Indo-European language), making Finnish a rather difficult language to master, and Finns love to regale foreigners with horror stories of compound words a mile long and verbs with seventeen suffixes tacked on. Basically, ''everything'' in a sentence (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns) inflects to indicate who is doing what, why, when and in what way, so constructing even a simple sentence requires lots of tweaking about:

: I go to the shop. I quickly buy bread. : ''Men'''en''' kauppa'''an'''. Ost'''an''' nopea'''sti''' leipa'''a'''.'' : go'''-I''' shop'''-to'''. buy'''-I''' quick'''-adverb''' bread'''-object'''.

Nouns can be declined in 14 different cases and there is a whole assortment of additional suffixes, leading to improbable but entirely grammatical monsters like ''talo'' ("house") → ''taloissammekinkohan'' ("also in our houses, perhaps?") or ''kala'' ("fish") → ''kalastajamaisuudettomuudellansakaan'' ("even by using his non-fisherman-likeness").

The good news is that most of these monstrosities are limited to formal written Finnish, and it's possible to "speak like Tarzan" (without conjugating anything) in subject-verb-object order like English and still be more or less understood. ''Mina menna kauppa, mina nopea ostaa leipa'' (I go shop, I quick buy bread) will get you a zero in Finnish class, but it gets the message across.

And there are some minor consolations for the aspiring student: Finnish has no articles and no grammatical gender. Rules for conjugation are often complex, but at least they are very regular.

Phrase list

; AUKI, AVOINNA : Open ; KIINNI, SULJETTU : Closed ; SISAAN : Entrance ; ULOS : Exit ; TYONNA : Push ; VEDA : Pull ; WC : Toilet ; HERRAT, MIEHET : Men ; NAISET : Women ; KIELLETTY : Forbidden}}

Phrases in the following phrase list use the informal singular (''sinuttelu''), which is by far the most common form in modern Finnish and appropriate for almost all situations a traveller might encounter.

'''Note:''' Due to the ease, specificity and regularity of Finnish pronunciation, the difficulty of transcribing long vowels, and the general inaccuracy of English-based phoneticizations, '''it is highly recommended you take a few minutes to learn the alphabet instead of relying on the phoneticizations'''. That being said, however, Finns are often quite excited to hear a foreigner attempt to speak the language and tend to be very forgiving of pronunciation blunders.

Basics

; Good day : Hyvaa paivaa (''HUU-vaa PIGH-vaa'') ; Hello (''informal'') : Moi (''MOI''), Hei (''HAY''), Terve (''TEHR-veh'') ; How are you? : Mita kuuluu? (''MEE-ta KOO-loo?'') ; Fine, thank you. : Kiitos, hyvaa. (''KEE-toss, HUU-vaa'') ; What is your name? : Mika sinun nimesi on? (''MEE-ka SEE-noon NEE-meh-see ohn?'') ; My name is ______ . : Nimeni on ______ . (''NEE-meh-nee ohn _____ .'') ; Nice to meet you. : Hauska tavata. (''HOWS-kah TAH-vah-tah'') ; Thank you. : Kiitos. (''KEE-tohss'') ; You're welcome. : Ole hyva (''OH-lay HUU-va''); Ei kesta. (''AY KEHSS-ta'') ; Yes : Kylla (''KUUL-la''), Joo (''yoh'') ; No. : Ei. (''ay'') ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Anteeksi (''AHN-tehk-see'') ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : Anteeksi (''AHN-tehk-see'') ; I'm sorry. : Anteeksi (''AHN-tehk-see'') ; Goodbye : Nakemiin. (''NAK-eh-meen.'') ; Goodbye (''informal'') :Hei hei (''HAY-hay''), Moi moi (''MOI-moi'') ; I can't speak Finnish : En puhu suomea. (''EN POO-hoo SOO-oh-meh-ah'') ; Do you speak English? : Puhutko englantia? (''POO-hoot-koh EHNG-lahn-tee-ah?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Puhuuko kukaan taalla englantia? (''POO-hoo-koh KOO-kahn TAAL-la EHNG-lahn-tee-ah?'') ; Help! : Apua! (''AH-poo-ah!'') ; Look out! : Varo! (''VAH-roh!'') ; Good morning. : Hyvaa huomenta. (''HUU-vaa HOO-oh-mehn-tah'') ; Good evening. : Hyvaa iltaa. (''HUU-vaa EEL-tah'') ; Good night. : Hyvaa yota. (''HUU-vaa UU-eu-ta'') ; Good night (''to sleep'') : Hyvaa yota. (''HUU-vaa UU-eu-ta'') ; I don't understand. : En ymmarra (''EN UUM-mar-ra'') ; Where is the toilet? : Missa on vessa? (''MEES-sa ohn VEHS-sah?'')

Problems

; ''en juo'' : "I don't drink" ; ''et juo'' : "you don't drink" ; ''ei juo'' : "he doesn't drink" ; ''emme juo'' : "we don't drink" ; ''ette juo'' : "you all don't drink" ; ''eivat juo'' : "they don't drink". ; ''ei juoda'' : "let's not drink"}}

; Leave me alone! : Anna minun olla rauhassa! (''AHN-nah MEE-noon OHL-lah RAU-has-sah'') ; Don't touch! : Ala koske! (''AL-ah KOHSS-keh!'') ; I will call the police. : Kutsun poliisin. (''KOOT-soon POH-lee-sin'') ; Police! : Poliisi! (''POH-lee-see!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Pysahdy! Varas! (''PUU-sa-duu! VAH-rahs!'') ; I need your help. : Tarvitsen apuasi. (''TAHR-veet-sehn AH-poo-ah-see'') ; It's an emergency. : Nyt on hata. (''NUUT ohn HA-ta'') ; I'm lost. : Olen eksynyt. (''OH-lehn EHK-suu-nuut'') ; I lost my bag. : Laukkuni katosi. (''LAUK-koo-nee KAH-toh-see'') ; I lost my wallet. : Lompakkoni katosi. (''LOHM-pahk-koh-nee KAH-toh-see'') ; I'm sick. : Olen kipea. (''OH-lehn KEE-peh-a'') ; I've been injured. : Olen loukkaantunut. (''OH-lehn LOH-ook-kahn-too-noot'') ; I need a doctor. : Tarvitsen laakarin. (''TAHR-veet-sehn LAA-ka-reen'') ; Can I use your phone? : Voinko soittaa? (''VOIN-koh SOIT-tah'')

Numbers

; 1 : yks- ; 2 : kaks- ; 3 : kol- ; 4 : nel- ; 5 : viis- ; 6 : kuus- ; 7 : seit- ; 8 : kaheks- ; 9 : yheks- ; 10 : -kyt

; 1 : yksi (''UUK-see'') ; 2 : kaksi (''KAHK-see'') ; 3 : kolme (''KOHL-meh'') ; 4 : nelja (''NEHL-ya'') ; 5 : viisi (''VEE-see'') ; 6 : kuusi (''KOO-see'') ; 7 : seitseman (''SAYT-seh-man'') ; 8 : kahdeksan (''KAHH-dehk-sahn'') ; 9 : yhdeksan (''UUHH-dehk-san'')

; 10 : kymmenen (''KUUM-mehn-nehn'') ; 11 : yksitoista (''UUK-see-tois-tah'') ; 12 : kaksitoista (''KAHK-see-tois-tah...'') ; ''1X'' : ''X-toista''

; 20 : kaksikymmenta (''KAHK-see-KUUM-mehn-ta'') ; 21 : kaksikymmentayksi (''KAHK-see-KUUM-mehn-ta-UUK-see'') ; ''2X'' : ''kaksikymmenta-X''

; 30 : kolmekymmenta (''KOHL-meh-KUUM-mehn-ta'') ; ''XY'' : ''X-kymmenta-Y''

; 100 : sata (''SAH-tah'') ; 200 : kaksisataa (''KAHK-see-SAH-tah'') ; 300 : kolmesataa (''KOHL-meh-SAH-tah'')

; 1000 : tuhat (''TOO-haht'') ; 2000 : kaksi tuhatta (''KAHK-see TOO-haht-tah'') ; 1,000,000 : miljoona (''MEEL-yoh-nah'') ; 1,000,000,000 : miljardi (''MEEL-yahr-dee'') ; 1,000,000,000,000 : biljoona (''BEEL-yoh-nah'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numero _____ (''NOO-meh-roh _____'') ; half : puoli (''POO-oh-lee'') ; less : vahemman (''VA-hehm-man'') ; more : enemman (''EH-nehm-man'')

Time

; now : nyt (''NUUT'') ; later : myohemmin (''MUU-eu-hehm-meen'') ; before : ennen (''EHN-nehn'') ; morning : aamu (''AH-moo'') ; afternoon : iltapaiva (''EEL-tah-pigh-va'') ; evening : ilta (''EEL-tah'') ; night : yo (''UU-eu'')

Clock time

The 24-hour clock is commonly used in Finland.

; one o'clock AM : kello yksi aamulla (''KEHL-loh UUK-see AHM-mool-lah'') ; two o'clock AM : kello kaksi aamulla (''KEHL-loh KAHK-see AHM-mool-lah'') ; noon : kello kaksitoista ''or'' keskipaiva (''KEHS-kee-pigh-va'') ; one o'clock PM : kello kolmetoista (''KEHL-loh KOHL-meh-tois-tah'') ; two o'clock PM : kello neljatoista (''KEHL-loh NEHL-ya-tois-tah'') ; midnight : keskiyo (''KEHS-kee-uu-eu'')

Duration

; _____ minute(s) : _____ minuutti(a) (''MEE-noot-tee-[ah]'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ tunti(a) (''TOON-tee-[ah]'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ paiva(a) (''PIGH-va[a]'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ viikko(a) (''VEEK-koh-[ah]'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ kuukausi / kuukautta (''KOO-kow-see / KOO-kowt-tah'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ vuosi / vuotta (''VOO-oh-see / VOO-oh-tah'')

Days

; today : tanaan (''TA-naan'') ; yesterday : eilen (''AY-lehn'') ; tomorrow : huomenna (''HOO-oh-mehn-nah'') ; this week : talla viikolla (''TAL-la VEE-kohl-lah'') ; last week : viime viikolla (''VEE-meh VEE-kohl-lah'') ; next week : ensi viikolla (''EHN-see VEE-kohl-lah'')

; Sunday : sunnuntai (''SOON-noon-tigh'') ; Monday : maanantai (''MAH-nahn-tigh'') ; Tuesday : tiistai (''TEES-tigh'') ; Wednesday : keskiviikko (''KEHS-kee-veek-koh'') ; Thursday : torstai (''TOHRS-tigh'') ; Friday : perjantai (''PEHR-yahn-tigh'') ; Saturday : lauantai (''LAU-ahn-tigh'')

Months

; January : tammikuu (''TAHM-mee-koo'') ; February : helmikuu (''HEHL-mee-koo'') ; March : maaliskuu (''MAH-leess-koo'') ; April : huhtikuu (''HOOHH-tee-koo'') ; May : toukokuu (''TOH-koh-koo'') ; June : kesakuu (''KEH-sa-koo'') ; July : heinakuu (''HAY-na-koo'') ; August : elokuu (''EH-loh-koo'') ; September : syyskuu (''SUUS-koo'') ; October : lokakuu (''LOH-kah-koo'') ; November : marraskuu (''MAHR-rahss-koo'') ; December : joulukuu (''YOH-loo-koo'')

Writing Time and Date

Dates are European-style, i.e. 2.5.xxxx for the 2nd May and NOT 5.2.xxxx. If the month is written out, both the forms ''2. toukokuuta'' (2nd of May) and ''toukokuun 2. paiva'' (May's 2nd) are used.

Colors

; black : musta (''MOOS-tah'') ; white : valkoinen (''VAHL-koy-nehn'') ; gray : harmaa (''HAHR-mah'') ; red : punainen (''POO-nigh-nehn'') ; blue : sininen (''SEE-nee-nehn'') ; yellow : keltainen (''KEHL-tigh-nehn'') ; green : vihrea (''VEEHH-reh-a'') ; orange : oranssi (''OH-rahns-see'') ; purple : violetti (''VEE-oh-leht-tee'') ; brown : ruskea (''ROOS-keh-ah'') ; pink : pinkki (''PEENK-kee'')

Transportation

Due to the difficulty of conjugating various place names, the phrases below are not grammatically correct. They will, however, definitely be understood.

Place Names

In general, the name of the language is the same as the country, but uncapitalized.<br>''eg. '''Espanja''' → Spain, '''espanja''' → Spanish''

; America : Amerikka (''AH-meh-reek-kah'') ; Canada : Kanada (''KAH-nah-dah'') ; Denmark : Tanska (''TAHN-skah'') ; Estonia : Viro (''VEE-roh'') ; Finland : Suomi (''SOO-oh-mee'') ; France : Ranska (''RAHN-skah'') ; Germany : Saksa (''SAHK-sah'') ; Japan : Japani (''YAH-pah-nee'') ; Norway : Norja (''NOHR-yah'') ; Poland : Puola (''POUOH-la'') ; Russia : Venaja (''VEHN-a-ya'') ; Spain : Espanja (''EHS-pahn-yah'') ; Sweden : Ruotsi (''ROO-oht-see'') ; USA : USA (''OO-ehss-ah'')

; Copenhagen : Koopenhamina (''KEU-pehn-hah-mee-nah'') ; London : Lontoo (''LOHN-toh'') ; Moscow : Moskova (''MOS-koh-va'') ; Paris : Pariisi (''PAH-ree-see'') ; Saint Petersburg : Pietari (''PEE-eh-tah-ree'') ; Stockholm : Tukholma (''TOOK-hohl-mah'')

Bus and Train

; How much is a ticket to _____? : Paljonko lippu maksaa _____? (''PAHL-yohn-koh LEEP-poo MAHK-sah _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Yksi lippu _____, kiitos. (''UUK-see LEEP-poo ____, KEE-tohs'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Minne tama juna/bussi menee? (''MEEN-neh TA-ma YOO-nah/BOOS-see MEH-neh?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Missa on _____n juna/bussi? (''MEES-sa ohn _____n YOO-nah/BOOS-see?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Pysahtyyko tama juna/bussi _____ssa? (''PUU-sa-htuu-keu TA-ma YOO-nah/BOOS-see _____ssah?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Milloin _____n juna/bussi lahtee? (''MEEL-loin ____n YOO-nah/BOOS-see LA-hteh?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Milloin tama juna/bussi saapuu _____? (''MEEL-loin TA-ma YOO-nah/BOOS-see SAH-poo ____?'')

Directions

; How do I get to _____ ? : Miten paasen _____ ? (''MEE-tehn PAA-sehn ____ ?'') ; ...the train station? : ...juna-asemalle? (''...YOO-nah-ah-seh-mahl-leh?'') ; ...the bus station? : ...bussiasemalle? (''...BOOS-see-ah-seh-mahl-leh?'') ; ...the airport? : ...lentokentalle? (''...LEHN-toh-kehn-tal-leh?'') ; ...downtown? : ...keskustaan? (''...KEHS-koos-tahn?'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...retkeilymajaan? (''...REHT-kay-luu-mah-yahn?'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ... _____-hotelliin? (''...HOH-tehl-leen?'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...Yhdysvaltojen/Kanadan/Australian/Brittien konsulaattiin? (''...UUHH-duus-vahl-toh-yehn/KAH-nah-dahn/OWS-trah-lee-ahn/BREET-tee-ehn KOHN-soo-laht-teen?'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Missa on paljon... (''MEES-sa ohn PAHL-yohn...'') ; ...hotels? : ...hotelleja? (''...HOH-tehl-leh-yah?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...ravintoloita? (''...RAH-veen-toh-loi-tah?'') ; ...bars? : ...baareja? (''...BAH-reh-yah?'') ; ...sites to see? : ...nahtavyyksia? (''...NA-hta-vuuk-see-a?'') ; Can you show me on the map? : Voitko nayttaa kartalla? (''VOIT-koh NAUT-ta KAHR-tahl-lah?'') ; street : katu (''KAH-too'') ; Turn left. : Kaanny vasemmalle. (''KAN-nuu VAH-seh-mahl-leh'') ; Turn right. : Kaanny oikealle. (''KAN-nuu OI-keh-ah-leh'') ; left : vasen (''VAH-sehn'') ; right : oikea (''OI-keh-ah'') ; straight ahead : eteenpain (''EH-tehn-pighn'') ; towards the _____ : kohti _____ (''KOHH-tee ____'') ; past the _____ : _____n ohi (''____n OH-hee'') ; before the _____ : ennen _____ (''EH-nehn ____'') ; Watch for the _____. : Varo _____. (''VAH-roh ____'') ; intersection : risteys (''REES-teh-uus'') ; north : pohjoinen (''POHH-yoi-nehn'') ; south : etela (''EH-teh-la'') ; east : ita (''EE-ta'') ; west : lansi (''LAN-see'') ; uphill : ylamaki (''UU-la-ma-kee'') ; downhill : alamaki (''AH-lah-ma-kee'')

Taxi

In common, taxi is not hailed, but instead called through a Taxi call-central, or by queuing at a Taxi stop (usually near airports and railway stations). So hailing a taxi won't necessarily work, but you can always try. ; Taxi! : Taksi! (''TAHK-see!'') ; Take me to _____, please. : _____, kiitos. (''____, KEE-tohss'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Paljonko maksaa menna _____(''long vowel+n'')?, e.g. "Helsinkiin" (''PAHL-yohn-ko MAHK-sah MEHN-na ____?'') ; (Take me) there, please. : Sinne, kiitos. (''SEEN-neh, KEE-tohss'')

Lodging

; Do you have any rooms available? : Onko teilla vapaita huoneita? (''...'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Miten paljon olisi huone yhdelle/kahdelle hengelle? (''...'') ; Does the room come with... : Tuleeko huoneen mukana... (''...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...lakanat? (''...'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...kylpyhuone? (''...'') ; ...a telephone? : ...puhelin? (''...'') ; ...a TV? : ...televisio? (''...'') ; May I see the room first? : Voinko nahda huoneen ensin? (''...'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Onko teilla mitaan hiljaisempaa? (''...'') ; ...bigger? : ...isompaa? (''...'') ; ...cleaner? : ...puhtaampaa? (''...'') ; ...cheaper? : ...halvempaa? (''...'') ; OK, I'll take it. : Otan sen. (''...'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Yovyn _____ yota. (''...'') ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Voitteko ehdottaa toista hotellia? (''...'') ; Do you have a safe? : Onko teilla turvasailoa? (''...'') ; ...lockers? : ...turvalokeroita? (''...'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Kuuluuko aamiainen/illallinen hintaan? (''...'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Mihin aikaan on aamiainen/illallinen? (''...'') ; Please clean my room. : Olkaa hyva ja siivotkaa huoneeni. (''...'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Voitteko herattaa minut kello _____? (''...'') ; I want to check out. : Haluaisin kirjautua ulos. (''...'')

Money

Common slang words for amounts of money: ; ege : euro, one euro ; femma : five ; kymppi : ten ; huntti : hundred ; tonni : thousand}}

; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Hyvaksytteko Amerikan/Australian/Kanadan dollareita? (''...'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Hyvaksytteko Britannian puntia? (''...'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Voinko maksaa luottokortilla? (''...'') ; Can you change money for me? : Voiko teilla vaihtaa rahaa? (''...'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Missa voin vaihtaa rahaa? (''...'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Voiko teilla vaihtaa matkashekkeja? (''...'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Missa voin vaihtaa matkashekkeja? (''...'') ; What is the exchange rate? : Mika on vaihtokurssi? (''...'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Missa on (pankki/raha)-automaatti? (''...'') :''Most Finnish ATMs are usually orange-coloured, with the logos "Otto" or "Solo".''

Eating

; A table for one person/two people, please. : Poyta yhdelle/kahdelle kiitos. (''...'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Saisinko ruokalistan? (''...'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Voinko nahda keittion? (''...'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Onko teilla paikallisia erikoisuuksia? (''...'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Olen kasvissyoja. (''...'') ; I don't eat pork. : En syo sianlihaa. (''...'') ; I don't eat beef. : En syo naudanlihaa. (''...'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Syon vain kosher-ruokaa. (''...'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Voitteko tehda siita kevytta? (''...'') ; fixed-price meal : paivan ateriaa (''...'') ; a la carte : a la carte (''...'') ; breakfast : aamiainen (''...'') ; lunch : lounas (''...'') ; supper : illallinen (''...'') ; I want _____. : Saisinko _____. (''...'') ; I want a dish containing _____. : Saisinko jotain _____n kanssa. (''...'') ; chicken : kana (''...'') ; beef : naudanliha (''...'') ; reindeer : poro (''...'') ; fish : kala (''...'') ; herring : silli (''...'') ; baltic herring : silakka (''...'') ; ham : kinkku (''...'') ; sausage : makkara (''...'') ; cheese : juusto (''...'') ; eggs : munia (''...'') ; salad : salaatti (''...'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (tuoreita) vihanneksia (''...'') ; (fresh) fruit : (tuoreita) hedelmia (''...'') ; bread : leipa (''...'') ; toast : paahtoleipa (''...'') ; noodles : nuudelit (''...'') ; rice : riisi (''...'') ; beans : pavut (''...'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Saisinko lasin _____? (''...'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Saisinko kupin _____? (''...'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Saisinko pullon _____? (''...'') ; coffee : kahvia (''...'') ; tea (''drink'') : teeta (''...'') ; juice : mehua (''...'') ; (bubbly) water : soodavetta (''...'') ; water : vetta (''...'') ; beer : olutta (''...'') ; red/white wine : puna/valko-viinia (''...'') ; May I have some _____? : Saisinko _____? (''...'') ; salt : suolaa (''...'') ; black pepper : pippuria (''...'') ; butter : voita (''...'') ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server'') : Anteeksi, tarjoilija? (''...'') ; I'm finished. : Olen valmis. (''...'') ; It was delicious. : Herkullista. (''...'') ; Please clear the plates. : Voitteko tyhjentaa poydan? (''...'') ; The check, please. : Lasku, kiitos. (''...'')

Bars

; Do you serve alcohol? : Myytteko alkoholia? (''...'') ; Is there table service? : Onko teilla poytiintarjoilua? (''...'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Yksi olut/kaksi olutta kiitos. (''...'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Lasi puna/valkoviinia kiitos. (''...'') ; A pint, please. : Yksi tuoppi kiitos. (''...'') ; A bottle, please. : Yksi pullo kiitos. (''...'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____-_____, kiitos. (''...'') ; whiskey : viskia (''...'') ; vodka : vodkaa (''...'') ; rum : rommia (''...'') ; water : vetta (''...'') ; club soda : soodavetta (''...'') ; tonic water : tonic-vetta (''...'') ; orange juice : appelsiinimehua (''...'') ; Coke (''soda'') : kolaa (''...'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Onko teilla pikkupurtavia? (''...'') ; One more, please. : Yksi viela, kiitos. (''...'') ; Another round, please. : Toinen kierros, kiitos. (''...'') ; When is closing time? : Mihin aikaan suljette? (''...'')

Shopping

; Do you have this in my size? : Onko teilla tata minun koossani? (''...'') ; How much is this? : Paljonko tama maksaa? (''...'') ; That's too expensive. : Se on liian kallis. (''...'') ; Would you take _____? : Miten olisi _____? (''...'') ; expensive : kallis (''...'') ; cheap : halpa (''...'') ; I can't afford it. : Minulla ei ole varaa siihen. (''...'') ; I don't want it. : En tahdo sita. (''...'') ; You're cheating me. : Huijaatte minua. (''...'') ; I'm not interested. : En ole kiinnostunut. (..) ; OK, I'll take it. : Hyva, otan sen. (''...'') ; Can I have a bag? : Voinko saada muovipussin? (''...'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Lahetatteko tavaroita myos (ulkomaille)? (''...'') ; I need... : Tarvitsen... (''...'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...hammastahnaa. (''...'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...hammasharjan. (''...'') ; ...tampons. : ...tampooneita. (''...'') ; ...soap. : ...saippuaa. (''...'') ; ...shampoo. : ...shampoota. (''...'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...sarkylaaketta. (''...'') ; ...cold medicine. : ...flunssalaaketta. (''...'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ...vatsalaaketta. (''...'') ; ...a razor. : ...partateran. (''...'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...sateenvarjon. (''...'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...aurinkovoidetta. (''...'')

; ...a postcard. : ...postikortin. (''...'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...postimerkkeja. (''...'') ; ...batteries. : ...pattereita. (''...'') ; ...writing paper. : ...kirjepaperia. (''...'') ; ...a pen. : ...kynan. (''...'') ; ...English-language books. : ...englanninkielisia kirjoja. (''...'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...englanninkielisia lehtia. (''...'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...englanninkielisen sanomalehden. (''...'') ; ...an English-Finnish dictionary. : ...englanti-suomi sanakirjan. (''...'')

Driving

; I want to rent a car. : Haluaisin vuokrata auton. (''...'') ; Can I get insurance? : Voinko saada vakuutuksen? (''...'') ; stop (''on a street sign'') : stop (''...'') ; one way : yksisuuntainen (''...'') ; yield : antaa tieta/'kolmio' (''...'') ; no parking : ei pysakointia (''...'') ; speed limit : nopeusrajoitus (''...'') ; gas (''petrol'') station : bensa-asema (''...'') ; petrol : bensiini (''...'') ; diesel : diesel (''...'')

Authority

; I haven't done anything wrong. : En ole tehnyt mitaan vaaraa. (''...'')

; It was a misunderstanding. : Se oli vaarinkasitys. (''...'') ; Where are you taking me? : Minne viette minut? (''...'') ; Am I under arrest? : Olenko pidatetty? (''...'') ; I am an American/ Australian/ British/ Canadian citizen. : Olen Amerikan/ Australian/ Britannian/ Kanadan kansalainen. (''...'') ; I want to talk to the American/ Australian/ British/ Canadian embassy/ consulate. : Haluan puhua USA:n (''oo-ass-ahn'')/ Australian/ Britannian/ Kanadan konsulaatin kanssa. (''...'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Haluan puhua lakimiehelle. (''...'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Voinko vain maksaa sakot nyt? (''...'')

You should note that in Finland you're not entitled to a phonecall, a search warrant, or to be set free on bail. However, the authorities must allow you to find a lawyer.

Learning more

While in Finland

The [http://www.helsinki.fi/ University of Helsinki] offers a highly popular [http://www.helsinki.fi/kksc/language.services/eng/kielikoulutus_2.html Finnish for Foreigners] program in six different skill levels, ranging from absolute beginner to advanced courses ending with language certification. Spring and Fall classes are offered in standard 1 unit ''(3 hrs/wk, 135 ?)'' and intensive 2 unit ''(8 hrs/wk, 310 ?)'' versions.

[http://www.kesayliopistot.fi/finncult.htm#study Summer courses] on Finnish language and culture are available at the major universities including [http://www.kesayliopistohki.fi/sivut/english Helsinki].

  • [http://www.henkimaa.nu/finndex/suomea/learning/tools.html Tools for Learning Finnish] - a great collection of online resources for learning Finnish
  • [http://donnerwetter.kielikeskus.helsinki.fi/finnishforforeigners/parts-index.htm Tavataan Taas!] - a good beginning course with audio samples
  • [http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/finnish.htm Finnish swear words] - a more colorful language reference