The basics of the Finnish language… Take a deep breath. You got this.
First of all, I’m so happy to welcome you to our curious and quirky world!
Finnish may seem random to the majority of people around the world but we are going to take a tiny tour together to see what it’s all about.
I feel that everyone should know a couple of things about the Finnish language because it explains many hidden cultural things in Finland.
So, even if you’re not looking to write a book in Finnish, you’ll find loads of interesting points in this blog post.
And if you do want to master Finnish, it’s completely possible with so many easy, accessible resources available! Allow me to help you nail down the foundations for your introduction to basic Finnish.
Table of Contents
Soft Introduction to Finnish Basics
You might have seen the hilarious memes of a word similar in every other language but Finnish.
It’s like other languages are united and playing football together. Then, the Finnish language arrives late and with ice-hockey skates. 
Finnish is not even remotely related to either language of our neighboring countries, Russia and Sweden.
Finnish belongs to the small Finno-Ugric family of languages. The closest “relatives” in this language family are Estonian and Hungarian. In comparison, most of the other languages spoken around Europe belong to the Indo-European languages.
We Finns are used to being different and we don’t have high expectations for a visitor to speak Finnish. That being said though, we are deeply honored if you try to speak a couple of words or are practicing our language. That makes us feel very special.
Five Key Rules about the Finnish Language
Finnish has a handful of core principles which are super easy and important to remember.
Finnish has no articles
“A,” “an,” or “the” – Finnish has no such things. It’s the reason why we always forget articles when speaking other languages.
Finnish has no ‘please’
We are straight-forward as it is, but then there’s the fact that in Finnish we have no word for ‘please’.
There are plenty of ways to be polite in Finnish but none of them have ‘please’ in them. Maybe you can change your tone of voice, perhaps you can ask a question instead of demanding it. But “please” just simply doesn’t exist in Finnish. This nonexistent word is why Finns can be considered rude at first take.
Finnish has no gender
In Finland, there’s a strong emphasis on gender equality. (Did you know Finland was the first country to grant women equal political rights?) Well, gender equality is also revealed in the structure of our language.
Finnish words have no grammatical gender. There are no feminine, masculine, or neuter words. With that being said, we don’t even have “she” or “he.”
Our one word meaning the third person is hän and it can be a female or male or “it” (yep, sometimes pets can be called with hän). For example, if you used “Hän” in a sentence without context like “hän ran to the park;” it could translate to “she” or “he” or even “it.”
Finnish has no prepositions
Okay, here is the biggest reason why Finnish words look so weird and super long.
With Finnish, instead of tiny prepositions (in, on, to, for, etc.) in front of a noun, we use endings that are connected to the body of the word. Let me show you some examples:
a dog = koira
for a dog = koiralle
a chair = tuoli
on a chair = tuolilla
To understand a Finnish expression, in most cases, you need to check what is at the end of the word. There are only a couple of individual words that can be used as prepositions without needing to be connected to the body of the word.
Finnish has A LOT of compound words
Here’s another reason why Finnish words are long: we love compound words.
Most English compound words are also compound words in Finnish. Let’s look at some examples:
dishwasher = tiskikone [dish machine]
sailboat = purjehdusvene [sailing boat]
railroad = rautatie [iron road]
sunscreen = aurinkorasva [sun lotion]
On the other hand, some single English words are still compound words in Finnish. For example:
refrigerator = jääkaappi [ice box]
computer = tietokone [info machine]
chore = kotityö [house job]
The longest word in Finnish
Combine a compound word with an ending or two and you’ll get word monsters. Here’s the longest word Finland has to offer:
Lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoototoriapumekaanikkoaliupseerioppilas (61 letters long)
But even with long, compounded word monsters like this, the Finnish language is super logical and based on rules without many exceptions.
Ten Simple Phrases in Finnish (+ Video Pronunciation)
Here are the most popular phrases in Finnish. Finns are welcoming even when you try a little bit of Finnish. For us, it is a big honor that you want to learn our language.
Here are the 10 most popular Finnish phrases. Save this cheatsheet on Pinterest or take a screenshot. 
Free Tools to Help You Learn Finnish
Free resources are the best place to start when learning any language. I handpicked 3 free resources to help you learn Finnish online.
My Free Finnish Online Class
Start learning Finnish with my completely free Finnish class, Spark Your Finnish. With this free course, you will take steps to learn conversational Finnish and how actual Finns talk (not that complicated textbook stuff).
Spark Your Finnish is the ultimate free, go-to resource for busy Finland lovers who want to learn easy methods of saying Finnish words. After taking this class, you’ll know how to say any Finnish word and see why Finnish isn’t as difficult as they say. *Hint hint* Finnish has a phonetic alphabet, so every letter you see you will learn how to pronounce confidently no matter how complicated the word looks.
There are over 6000 students already in my courses. By starting my free course, you’ll also gain helpful emails filled with free advice too.
I can’t wait to help you with your Finnish language journey. Enroll here in my FREE Finnish class – Spark Your Finnish.
Online Pronunciation Dictionary
Want to hear other Finns besides me pronouncing Finnish? For that, I recommend a site called FORVO. It’s a free online pronunciation dictionary.
Just type the word into the search box, and native Finnish speakers will say the word for you so you know how it should sound. There are over 50 000 Finnish words & phrases on the website. The best way to practice is to get comfortable speaking Finnish out loud!
Online Dictionary
Sanakirja.org is a quality online English-Finnish-English dictionary. I find referencing an online dictionary to be very helpful in learning more diverse and specific vocabulary. Also, since it’s made by a Finn, it has a lot of options for different translations to Finnish. I use this dictionary all the time.
Fun and Creative Ways to Learn Finnish
Learning languages should be fun! Fun activities help our brain remember and absorb new words. If you want “to put on your Finnish antennas” (that’s a Finnish idiom which sounds silly in English), try:
4 Simple Methods You Can Try Today
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- Listening to Finnish music in Spotify, for example, my Completely Finnish Playlist
- Finding Finnish recipes, translating them into English, and then cooking Finnish food
- Checking if your local library has any Finnish books
- Following Finnish-English Instagram accounts. Like mine. I have a FREE Finnish lesson every Tuesday on my Instagram Stories.
Follow me on Instagram and join my Finnish lesson every Tuesday on Instagram Stories.
Näytä tämä julkaisu Instagramissa.
Sending Informal Messages to Friends: Add these easy Finnish phrases
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- Start with “Moi” or “Hei” followed by the recipient’s first name. “Moi” is more relaxed than “Hei”.
- If you’re friends, you can continue with “Mitä kuuluu?” aka “How are you?”
- It’s popular to just answer that you’re fine (if you are fine). You can say “Mulle hyvää” in spoken Finnish.
- End the letter with “terkuin Your name” or only “t. Your name”. Terkuin is spoken Finnish. It’s a relaxed way to say “best wishes”.
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Sending More Formal Messages: Add these easy Finnish phrases
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- Start with “Hei” followed by the recipient’s first name.
- End the letter with “Ystävällisin terveisin, Your name”. Translated word-to-word from Finnish, it means “friendly wishes”.
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How to Remember Finnish Words and Improve Your Memory
You know, repeating something in your head or out loud over and over again. This is just one type of repetition and also ineffective.
That’s why I made you a list of ideas to use in your Finnish language journey.
Preview. Glance over the material you want to learn. Check out titles, lessons, headings, pictures, and graphs.
Take notes. Studies show that when you take notes, you’ll remember material far longer, even if you never review the notes you take. How cool is that?
Sleep. Personally, this is my favorite learning technique. Let your brain do the work for you after you have given it some food for thought.
Take a fun break. Go in the wilderness, take a bubble bath, read a funny novel… When you’re in a good mood, learning is so much easier.
Review your notes. Go back to your notes and you can retain the information even longer!
Combine learning + movement. You can, for example, clean the house and practice your pronunciation at the same time.
Make associations. Draw a visual cue that helps you remember a phrase. Or, come up with a hand sign that describes a certain word for you.
Test yourself. Works always.
Teach others. Can’t find someone to teach? Use one of your social channels to talk about your observations.
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.
Hei. Olen kotoisin Suomesta ja arvostan sitä, että levität kulttuuriamme. Paljon kiitoksia, Varpu.
Oi kiitos paljon Annikki! Aivan ihana kuulla tämä! <3
I’ve loved Finland all of my life….although I haven’t visited yet!
I actually learned to pronounce Finnish from singing along to certain Nightwish songs….a little bit, anyway.
As far as i’m concerned, Finland is the most beautiful country in the world and has the most beautiful language I’ve ever heard. (I’m using it on a spiritual fantasy story I’m writing as what the characters call the “Old/High/Poet’s Tongue”, in which love-words and important documents and rituals are all conducted..)
Hei Rhiannon, wow your book sounds amazing. It’s so wonderful that you have incorporated Finnish into it. Travel planning is half of the fun of traveling (at least for me :D). Have a lovely weekend!
Completed your Finnish Pronunciation Course. Think I’ve been pronouncing my mom’s maiden name (Kemppainen) wrong. At least now I know correct Finnish pronunciation. Kiitos!
Hei Daryl! I’m so happy to hear that the course was helpful!! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time and letting me know, I really appreciate it.
Moi,
What is the difference between jääkaappi and pakastin ?
Hei Alex, sure! Jääkaappi is the fridge and pakastin is the freezer. 🙂 Hope that helped!
I am interesting in finnish language but in my country for study about finn very difficult.My country is Myanmar.Therefore I wanna study.
Hi! Yes, I understand, I hope these free online resources are helpful!!
Visiting Finland in Oct. Grandparents are from Finland My maiden name Siekkinen.
So great Barbara! You’ll have the best time here, it’s October so soon!
Hi Varpu, my grandparents came from Finland which I have found during my genealogy research. My parents and older sister spoke Finnish, but alas the language died with them. (I do remember all the Finnish words to “Jesus loves me” since we learned it in choir at the Finnish church I grew up next door to). I corresponded with a family in Finland some time ago but have lost contact. I now am intrigued by the Finns and culture. My DNA gave me 98% Finnish.
Hi Trudy, so great to read your story <3 I'm so happy you are here!
Hei Varpu,
When should I use “Olen” and when “Ma Oon”? Are they only the difference between “I’m” and “I am”?
Kiitos in advance. 😊
Edena
Hei Edena! You can use Olen, Mä oon, Minä olen, Mä olen or Oon – ALL are correct. From the most formal to spoken: Minä Olen, Olen, Mä Olen, Mä oon, Oon. Learn the version that is the easiest for you!
Moi Varpu, how do I say: i wish you lots of luck and keep my fingers crossed for you? Kiitos paljon☺️
Hei Judi! Yes, that would be: Toivotan sulle paljon onnea! ( I wish you lots of luck). We have the saying “keep my fingers crossed..”, but we rarely use it in this context. Meaning the same, but literally “keeping my thumbs up for you”: Pidän peukkuja sun puolesta. So, in the shortest possible spoken form: “Paljon onnea! Pidän peukkuja!” or longer: “Toivotan sulle paljon onnea ja pidän peukkuja sun puolesta!” 🙂
I’m glad for finding this site.There’s a lot of good Finnish movies and series on Netflix these days. Watching them made me really curious about the language, and now, thanks to you, I can learn some of it. Kiitos.
Hi Leandro! Thank you so much for your comment! Netflix is an awesome source for Finnish movies and series. For some reason, I’ve assumed that the selection you see there is somehow country specific. But now I now better! Thank you for a great tip!
Ola Leandro! Es Brasileiro? Fala finlandes? Tudo bem contigo? Estudo portugues e falo um poco de portugues these days.. Why do you want to learn Finnish? Obrigada e bom dia!
I am finding this sight fascinating. My grandparents came to America from Finland.My father spoke fluently the Finnish language. I wish he had taught us to speak it. My mother was not Finnish and used to get upset when he and his parents spoke in Finn because she didn’t speak or know the language. I believe that is why we were never taught to speak it. Sadly.To me it seems a bit complicated to understand. I know a few Finnish words but not as many as I would like. There are not many Finnish people left here on our city. They have all passed. Thank you for posting interesting information about Finland and the Finnish people. It is nice to read about the country and people where my grandparents came from.
Janice, so great to have you here! It’s a pleasure and privilege to write about Finland. I love talking about it <3 It was lovely to read your story. Such a pity that you don't know Finnish as much as you'd like to but luckily there are so many great free online tools to help you with that if you want!
Hei Varpu, Both my parents were born in Finland. I was born in Canada. I learn Finnish by listening to my parents speak their mother tongue. It was basic Finn. I have visited Finland four times. My little knowledge of the language helped me when visiting with my relatives. I have cousins that live in Imatra and an other in Palkane.
Hei Elizabeti! Wau, ihana kuulla sinun tarinasi! It’s so great you can speak Finnish with your relatives here in Finland <3
Hi Varpu
Thank you for the lots of helpful things in here. 🙂
I am planning to visit Finland hopefully this summer…so I am already trying to gather as many information and language skills as possible.
Thanks for the effort you put in this blog … I live in Hungary, my mother tongue is Hungarian, it is also a challenging language to learn LoL……but finnish is very difficult to memorize 🙂 as if I haven’t learnt anything ….but hopefully it will get better. I hardly can wait for the blue Fazer 😀
Hei Judit! I’m so happy that I could help and super excited that you are maybe coming to Finland! It’s amazing that you wish to learn some Finnish. <3
I am an American born Finn and was taught Finn by all my Finnish born grandparents whenI first learned to talk 86 years ago. I learned mine is a very formal Finn when I visited Finland about 29 years ago. I can correspond on Facebook in Finnish for myvrelatives who are older and don’t know English. I was wondeting why you used Miten voit? Instead of Kuinka se menne?
Dear Dorothy, thank you so much for commenting. I appreciate it. You have a wonderful question! Indeed, there are many ways of saying “How are you?” in Finnish (Mitä kuuluu / Miten voit / Miten menee etc.).
Finnish is quite difficult to pronounce when it comes to double letters.
For example, “tuli” is fire and “tuuli” is wind. The u is short in the first word and long in the last.
I chose “Miten voit” because it doesn’t have a double letter nor Finnish Ä in it. I was thinking it might be easier to say and remember.