The Finnish language is full of sayings and wisdom. I feel that Finnish proverbs are the backbone of the Finnish culture because they
- offer a way of saying your thoughts without being too pushy. Finns hate to be pushy!
- help you understand others
- help you do the right thing in surprising or unpleasant situations
Sayings are passed from one generation to the next by oral tradition and I hope this tradition will continue also in the future.
There seem to be hundreds of these nuggets of wisdom because almost every time I have a deeper conversation with an older Finn, I notice a proverb that I haven’t heard before.
As I’m only a humble admirer of the ancient Finnish words and sentence structures, I have used some artistic liberty in the translations. If you want to learn more Finnish phrases, be sure to check out my other post: 50+ Funny Finnish Phrases that Describe the Finnish Mindset.
My goal has been to honor the saying with my translation, not to hurt it. I’m more than happy to welcome any improvements or ideas to make the translations better. After all, language is always a collective effort.
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Famous Finnish sayings
#1 The morning is wiser than the evening.
In Finnish: Aamu on iltaa viisaampi.
If you’re unsure, feeling stressed or discouraged, sleep on it. The following morning shows things from the right perspective.
This saying can be also written in the opposite way. Ilta on aamua viisaampi. = The evening is wiser than the morning.
This can be interpreted to mean that you get wiser through age or experience. It can also mean that delaying something can be a good decision, especially if you are acting sentimentally.
#2 Who asks for the road doesn’t get lost.
In Finnish: Ei kysyvä tieltä eksy.
If you’re unsure, you should ask for advice. In general, we Finns don’t ask much advice because we want to be self-sufficient and also, because we don’t want to disturb others.
This saying reminds Finns that it’s okay to ask. In this sense, there are similarities to the old chestnut in English: “There’s no harm in asking.”
#3 Work teaches the worker.
In Finnish: Työ tekijäänsä neuvoo.
When you start something new (a job, hobby, etc.), it’s okay to not know about anything, be slow and to make mistakes. That’s how you’ll learn. You will get better.
#4 The brave eats the soup.
In Finnish: Rohkea rokan syö.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Fortune favors the brave”.
#5 Emergency finds the way.
In Finnish: Hätä keinon keksii.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Necessity is the mother of invention”. Things always get solved, when it’s the last minute or a critical situation.
#6 The forest answers in the same way one shouts at it.
In Finnish: Niin metsä vastaa, kuin sinne huudetaan.
This Finnish saying means the same as “What goes around, comes around” or “You reap what you sow”.
In German, there’s a proverb almost word to word with the Finnish expression: ”Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es heraus”. The Finnish and German proverb refer to the forest echo.
#7 What comes singing, leaves whistling.
In Finnish: Mikä laulaen tulee, se viheltäen menee.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Easy come, easy go”. The things that come easy, are easily gone.
#8 A poke in the eye for the one, who dwells on the past.
In Finnish: Joka vanhoja muistelee, sitä tikulla silmään.
There is no use to dwell on the past and hold a grudge. A similar English expression could be “That’s water under the bridge”.
#9 The pot blames the kettle, yet both have a black side.
In Finnish: Pata kattilaa soimaa, musta kylki kummallakin.
This Finnish saying means the same as “The pot calling the kettle black”. The proverb describes a situation in which both parties are equally responsible but one is trying their best to be innocent.
#10 There are many means, said granny when she was wiping the table with the cat.
In Finnish: Konstit on monet, sano mummo kun kissalla pöytää pyyhki.
This Finnish saying means the same as “There are more than one ways to skin a cat.”
#11 A tree is climbed from its base.
In Finnish: Tyvestä puuhun noustaan.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Learn to walk before you can run.” The proverb highlights the importance of learning the basics before diving into more advanced things.
#12 You don’t choose a dog by its hair.
In Finnish: Ei ole koiraa karvoihin katsominen.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
#13 Emergency does not read the law.
In Finnish: Hätä ei lue lakia.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Desperate times call for desperate actions” or “Necessity knows no law.”
#14 Who has happiness should hide it.
In Finnish: Kell’ onni on se onnen kätkeköön
Lately, Finnish happiness has been in the news as Finns have topped the UN’s World Happiness Report between 2018 and 2020. Even we Finns were a little surprised by this, and this Finnish saying may well explain why.
The saying could act as a warning about creating inequality: if you have something others don’t, there’s no need to boast, and not much good can come out of making it known.
#15 The one who is afraid won’t play.
In Finnish: Ei se pelaa, joka pelkää
This saying refers to having the courage to take action and is used by people when they take a risk. It means roughly the same as “No guts, no glory.”
#16 In need, you know a friend.
In Finnish: Hädässä ystävä tunnetaan
The saying means you recognize real friends during difficult times as you can rely on them. Similar to “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.
#17 A name doesn’t make a man worse if the man doesn’t make the name worse.
In Finnish: Ei nimi miestä pahenna, jos ei mies nimeä.
Don’t judge anyone by their name unless they themselves make the name infamous through their actions.
#18 The day is in the tally stick.
In Finnish: Päivä on pulkassa
This saying is an interesting one. In modern Finnish, the word pulkka is more often used for children’s plastic sled as a winter toy.
Originally, pulkka in this saying refers to a wooden tally stick that farm owners and their workers used to keep track of work. At the end of the day, both parties would place the two sticks next to each other and mark the same spot on each tally stick. That meant the workers had finished work for the day.
Nowadays, it would be easy to interpret the saying as “the day’s work is in the sled”, which probably partly explains the expression’s popularity even though tally sticks are long gone.
#19 You can spend your money and get there on a horse.
In Finnish: Rahalla saa ja hevosella pääsee
You need the right means to get what you want. Similar to “can’t get something for nothing”, this saying is used in a situation where you are willing to spend for what you need.
#20 All the years are full of learning.
In Finnish: Oppia ikä kaikki
The Finnish version of “live and learn”, this saying suggests you keep learning new things all your life through experience.
#21 Forward, said granny in the snow.
In Finnish: Eteenpäin sanoi mummo lumessa
This unusual saying has a very Finnish message for us: keep going through difficulties with determination.
The Finnish YLE radio even writes about a snow running event organized by a local radio station that tested how fast volunteers can advance in the snow – they found that Finnish grannies are in good shape. The competition winner was Eeva, who completed the 40-meter course in just 15 seconds. Afterward, the ladies headed to the gym.
#22 A container chooses its lid.
In Finnish: Vakka kantensa valitsee
You choose to surround yourself with certain types of people who have the same tastes, interests, or values. Also used about couples: everyone finds the right kind of partner.
Historically vakka is a wooden container that could often have only one specific lid that fits.
Similar to “birds of a feather flock together”.
#23 You can’t grab something from nothing.
In Finnish: Tyhjästä on paha nyhjästä
This Finnish saying is often used when you don’t have any money. It means it’s difficult to start with nothing, and you can’t simply keep taking if nothing is left.
#24 No one is born a smith.
In Finnish: Ei kukaan ole seppä syntyessään
This Finnish saying means you can only master something through learning and experience. It’s okay to make mistakes as you learn.
#25 An accident doesn’t come with a bell around its neck.
In Finnish: Vahinko ei tule kello kaulassa
This Finnish saying reminds you that you won’t get a warning beforehand when bad things happen. It’s good to be prepared that sometimes things may happen out of the blue.
#26 Caution does not tip over the boat.
In Finnish: Ei vara venettä kaada
Being cautious and prepared doesn’t cause any harm. This saying means the same as “better safe than sorry”.
#27 Don’t lick it before it drops.
In Finnish: Älä nuolaise ennenkuin tipahtaa
Don’t get ahead of yourself. The same as “don’t count your chickens before they hatch”.
#28 Everyone is the smith of their own fortune.
In Finnish: Jokainen on oman onnensa seppä
This Finnish saying reflects the idea that you can work towards your own happiness and make choices that lead you there. But the opposite is also true if you make poor choices.
Similar to “every man is the architect of his own fortune”.
#29 It doesn’t help to cry at the market fair.
In Finnish: Ei auta itku markkinoilla.
This Finnish saying means the same as “It’s no use crying over spilled milk.”
#30 A strong will takes you through the grey stone.
In Finnish: Luja tahto vie läpi harmaan kiven.
This Finnish saying means the same as “Where there’s a will there’s a way.”
#Bonus What?
In Finnish: Mitä?
Used by a Finnish woman. You have been given one chance to improve your last-spoken sentence. Do it wisely.
Want to know my 7 favorite Finnish Sayings? Check out my YouTube video to get a more in-depth look of when to use these sayings!
Do you know some other Finnish proverbs? Or do you want to know more about a certain Finnish saying? Let me know and comment below!
Looking for more information about the Finnish language and culture? Check out some of my other posts:
Warm wishes from Finland,
Varpu
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Hello there!
I’m Varpu. One blonde,
travel-loving,
Finnish engineer driving this site.
Alpollakin jää vielä välistä
What does this saying relate to?
I know it translates as “even in the Alps there is a gap” but can you please explain what it might mean? Thank you!
Hei Mary, would you be able to give me more context? This is the first time I hear this saying, I also tried to search in Finnish but couldn’t find anything useful for you. Alpo is a man’s name in Finnish. Does that help you to decipher it? 😀
One of my Karelian mom’s favorites was “juoksee pää kolmannelle jalalla” or something very close to that. English translation: Run using your head as a third leg. The intent was to think before you act for the fastest most efficient solution.
Yes Liisa!!! I love that saying!!! Yes, I agree with you. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank You it was a very interesting read’ Keep up the good work, and NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOU ARE AND WHERE YOUR ROOTS LIE FOR WE ARE ALL KINGS & QUEENS. MPK
Thank you so much for your comment, Michael!
Fascinating blog! I quizzed my Finnish mother in law on these ones. She knew a lot of them but some really stumped her! A couple of saying she remembers hearing only once as a child and never again so she was fascinated to hear of some again! She will now quiz her older sister on these! Thanks again
Hei Ricky! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’m so happy to hear that, you’re welcome <3
Many years ago a Finnish friend of mine told me that a past Finnish President when criticised by the USA of being too friendly with USSR said: I would rather have my friends nearby and my enemies as far away as possible. If anyone can tell me the name of that President and the approximate date I should be grateful.
Hei David! This president could be Mauno Koivisto but I cannot be sure about the context you provided.
I can find a detail that says “in 1980 in Helsinki president Mauno Koivosto replied with the words “Finland has its friends closer and enemies far away” when he was asked what’s the difference between foreign policy in Finland and Sweden. More info about this phrase via this link: https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000005225938.html Please check out Time stamp 17:14 of the article. The link is in Finnish but Google Translator is quite good. Hope this helps!
Hi
My late Finnish mother always said (we are German): Still wie Pisse am Strumpf. Which roughly translates to be ‘silent as piss on a stocking’, in situations some savvy reserve was required. Is it an actual proverb? She was Karelian btw.
Thanks!
Bee
Hi Bee! Yes, yes and yes. We absolutely have this saying in Finnish: “kusi sukassa”. It means to be very quiet, sometimes with a side twist “be quiet without others noticing”. I love the German translation!
I came to this article because as an Australian with Finnish grandparents I knew the phrase ‘hiljä kunkussi sukassa’ and was trying to check that it meant what I believed it did. In English I knew it as ‘as quiet as a piss in a sock’. It’s meaning was to be as quiet as possible – so you won’t be discovered. Glad to have it confirmed here. Kiitos!
Hei Anne! Yes, this is such a funny Finnish idiom. I’m so happy you found it here!
Mita Kuulu (?)
My grandparents came from Finland to Maine in the early 1900s.
Finnish was spoken in the house but never outside unless with other Finns.
My Dad never attempted to teach his sons Finnish as the first generation wanted so badly to be seen as Americans. Later on I took a couple of Finnish language courses and failed miserably.
Very difficult! My Dad once told me that unless you learn Finnish by 5 years old it is impossible.
I believe him!!
Hei Bill! Thank you for your comment. I’m so sorry to hear that you have had bad experiences with Finnish courses. What was the most difficult thing for you? I have many Americans with Finnish roots in my online courses, and I have received great feedback from them. I’d love to see you in my free Finnish pronunciation course! Here is the link: https://herfinland.teachable.com/p/conversational-finnish-for-beginners
Mita kuuluu means how are you? but can also translate into did you hear? Its a very fascinating phrase. 😉😉👍👍 I am also attempting to learn some of the Finnish phrases 😉
Hei John! Oh, so great that you want to learn some Finnish! Yes, that’s true, the verb kuulua means ‘to be heard or to be audible’. If you translate that phrase word by word, it’s “What’s to be heard?” Great start with your Finnish studies, awesome!
Hi guys, I was born in Finland (Helsinki) but have spent 30+ years in the Southern US. “Mitä kuuluu” is not simple to translate since its meaning varies slightly with circumstances. It is typically a casual greeting roughly meaning “Hi y’all, whats up!” But, when it is said at time of personal loss it means more like “How are you doing?” The other issue that foreigners to Finland and Americans particularly are not familiar with is the fact that when one asks “Mitä kuuluu” the recipient is expected to give some level or status report – short as it may be. When I first came to US people asked me How I was an when I pursued to tell how I was they quickly shrunk away. “Mitä kuuluu” expects a short status report.
Thank you so much Esa for the detailed comment about Mitä kuuluu! Perfect!
This are very interesting sayings! I think 2 and 3 are my favourites. Thank you for sharing! You can learn a lot about a given culture by its popular sayings.
Hei Mariafelicia, thank you so much for your comment! I love #3 too, my dear granny says it to me always when I start something new <3
I think mita (what?). Could be hah? It’s ingrained in this Finnish American.
For sure! I also feel that that is a great translation for Mitä?! 😀
Do you know of a Finnish saying that translates as “Happiness does not come from searching for it, but by living.”? It was quoted in a recent article about ice swimming. I couldn’t find it anywhere else besides reposts of that article, so I’m wondering if it was recently made up to promote ice swimming. Kiitos.
Hei Carl! You have such a wonderful question! Yes, there’s such a saying! In Finnish it goes: Onni ei tule etsien, vaan eläen. Another version is: Onnie ei tule etsien, se saapuu eläen. <3 It's very much a straight translation. 🙂
Fascinating website it is!I’ll visit again and again.
Hei, thank you so much! I’m so happy you found my blog!
How do you write out. It is what it is. In finnish
Hei Toby, that would be something like: “Se on, mitä on”. Hope this helps!
My mother’s äiti used say “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” When I was a kid and wish for a toy or a bike that’s I heard. I knew she didn’t have much raha.
Hi Ken, thanks for adding that saying! To me, that proverb is somehow poetically beautiful. Kiitos!
Kyllä, kyllä tästä selvitään, Hisun kisun keino keksitää!
My spelling may be wrong, but I sing this often to come to a creative solution.
Hi Rachel! Your spelling is great! I love how you are using this phrase, awesome 😀
JOS ei viina, terva ja sauna auta, niin tauti on kuolemaksi. I like this one.
If booze, tar or sauna won’t cure it, then the disease is fatal.
Finns are nothing if not direct at times.
Hhahahhahha, I agree. That saying is awesome and often used, too. Usually said by men here in Finland 😉
I find this very interesting as I am a Canadian born Finn. Both my parents came from Finland and we spoke Finnish but I have lost most of it because I have no one to speak it with. My sister and I visited Finland in 1982. We stayed with an aunt in Vantaa and loved it. I found then that our Finnish was different in many ways from that spoken there. We did manage to speak with our relatives. Also they used some English words such as normaali for one. I think I would have used tavallinen. Is that correct?
Hi Viola! You have a fascinating point and I think it’s very true that the language has evolved in Finland. There are many words borrowed from English. Tavallinen and normaali are both correct Finnish! And both are used! 🙂
My grandparents and great grandparents came from Finland as well. My aunt visited Finland a few years ago and found the same thing. Most of the Finnish spoken in Canada at this time is approaching or more than 100 years old as far as new words and expressions go. The speakers have mostly learned from their parents and grandparents and until recently have been linguistically isolated from the constantly evolving language in Finland.
It is no different than English, which has new words, words no longer used, etc. than the language of 100 or even 500 years ago.
Yes, exactly so David! I find the evolving and isolated languages fascinating!
There’s a song we do called TÄVÄLLINEN TYÖTTA. “Ordinary girl”. Our band is Kilpelä and Friends Finnish Polka Band. We are from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Been together almost 21 years.
Wow, that sounds really awesome! I love your name also, it’s very Finnish with the polka 😀
Hei Varpu,
What a wonderful section this is!
Thank you for putting it together. I love your site in general (very professional, slick and I feel full of good energy) but your last point/phrase had me laughing out loud! .. It really did! .. “What?” / “Mitä?” ..
I know a Finnish girl and boy oh boy, do I know this to be true!
Keep up the excellent work and thank you again,
Jay 😀
Hei Jay! Oh you’re so sweet. Thank you so much! 😀 I know, ‘Mitä’ is such a multipurpose tool in Finnish, mastered by us ladies :DD
Very nice post! Thanks and keep up🙌
Awwww, thank you Maria! So happy you liked the post!
Have you ever heard a Finnish expression that would translate to something like, “Every mother’s own, even froggie’s polliwog”? My mother, a first gen Finn American learned it from her mother, the immigrant from Ostrobothnia around 1902. I’ve not been able to find it online nor does anyone I’ve spoken with know of it.
Hei Joan! What a great question! Yes, we have that saying in Finnish. It’s quite rare nowadays but it exists. It goes “Omansa kunkin hyvä, sammakonkin nuijapää” in Finnish. It’s such a funny way of saying that “for a mum, her child is always perfect/beautiful/good.” Now that I’m a fresh mum, I have to agree 😀
Hei Varpu, Kiitos paljon.
Joan, kiitos sinulle! <3 Ihanaa että pidit tästä kirjoituksesta!
My mother used to say, “well, why is the pot calling the kettle “black!”
Dear Judith, that is a perfect way of saying it! Thank you! I have heard this saying so many times as child too… 😀
spoon/bucket not accurate. Literally: What you’ve been given by spoonful, you cannot demand by bucketful.
Dear LMS, thank you for this good word-to-word version of this saying! Great collaboration!
You have translated all these totally wrong.. these do not mean anything.
Thank you for commenting! I love how much discussion Finnish sayings are inspiring.
Oh, can you please put in the original Finnish? Kiitos!
Hi Peter, thank you for the suggestion! I added the originals in this post. 🙂
Thanks! A big help to us trying to learn Finnish!
Wow, I am so impressed that you want to learn Finnish!