Here are some basic Finnish phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| kyllä | yes |
| joo | yes (slang, but common in spoken Finnish) |
| ei | no |
| ehkä | maybe, perhaps |
| kenties | maybe, perhaps |
| kiitos | thanks |
| kiitos paljon | thanks very much |
| paljon kiitoksia | many thanks |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| ole hyvä | you're welcome |
| ei kestä | don’t mention it |
| eipä kestä | not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| moi | hi |
| hei | hi |
| terve | hello |
| hyvää huomenta | good morning |
| hyvää päivää | good afternoon |
| hyvää iltaa | good evening |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| hei hei | bye |
| moi moi | bye |
| heippa | bye |
| näkemiin | goodbye |
| hyvää yötä | goodnight |
| nähdään! | see you! |
| nähdään pian! | see you soon! |
| nähdään huomenna! | see you tomorrow! |
| hyvää päivänjatkoa! | have a nice day! |
| hauskaa viikonloppua! | have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
| anteeksi | excuse me, sorry (can be used to get someone’s attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| ei se mitään | no problem |
| Finnish phrase guide | |
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Emergencies → |
Making yourself understood
| puhutko englantia? | do you speak English? |
| puhutko suomea? | do you speak Finnish? |
| en puhu suomea | I don't speak Finnish |
| en puhu hyvin suomea | I don't speak much Finnish |
| puhun vähän suomea | I speak a little Finnish |
| puhun vain vähän suomea | I only speak very little Finnish |
| voisitko puhua hitaammin? | could you speak more slowly, please? |
| voisitko kirjoittaa sen ylös? | could you write it down, please? |
| voisitko toistaa, kiitos | could you please repeat that? |
| ymmärrän | understand |
| en ymmärrä | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| tiedän | I know |
| en tiedä | I don't know |
| anteeksi, missä on vessa? | excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
| Sisäänkäynti | Entrance |
| Uloskäynti | Exit |
| Hätäuloskäynti | Emergency exit |
| Työnnä | Push |
| Vedä | Pull |
| WC | WC |
| Miehet | Gentlemen |
| Naiset | Ladies |
| Vapaa | Vacant |
| Varattu | Occupied |
| Epäkunnossa | Out of order |
| Tupakointi kielletty | No smoking |
| Yksityinen | Private |
| Ei sisäänkäyntiä | No entry |
| Finnish phrase guide | |
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| Page 1 of 5 | |
← Contents |
Emergencies → |
Sound is available for all the Finnish phrases on this page — simply click on any phrase to hear it.