There are rumors going around that Finnish is one of the most difficult languages in the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Finnish is a simple language with an uncomplicated grammar. Take me, for example. I don't have any special language abilities, and yet, in just 20 years, I've learned many of the most important words.
Not only is Finnish easy, but it's beautiful, too. Here are some examples of ear soothing words: räkälä (means: fine restaurant), Perkele (means: good luck) and Epäjärjestelmällistyttämättömyydellänsäkään? (means: would you like to dance?). Finnish is in the Finno-Ugric (in Latin that means: humorous words) language family along with many other popular languages such as Mansi and Udmort.
So naturally, you'd like to learn some useful phrases. And don't worry about pronunciation. Finland is an egalitarian society and everyone is allowed to pronounce Finnish words in his own way.
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Good morning. |
Hyvää huomenta. |
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Good day. |
Hyvää päivää. |
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Good evening. |
Hyvää iltaa. |
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Good riddance. |
Tervemenoa. |
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Yes. |
Kyllä. |
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No. |
Ei. |
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How the heck would I know? |
Miten ihmeessä tietäisin? |
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Please. |
Olkaa hyvä. |
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Thank you. |
Kiitos. |
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Are you out of your mind!? |
Oletko aivan sekaisin!? |
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My name is... |
Nimeni on... |
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You’re kidding? Is that really your name? |
Lasket varmaan leikkiä? Onko se todellakin nimesi? |
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I'm in import/export. |
Olen tuonti- ja vientialalla. |
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I'm the singer of a heavy metal band. |
Olen heviyhtyeen solisti. |
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I'm a professional thief. |
Olen ammattivaras. |
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Do you speak English? |
Puhutteko englantia? |
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I don't speak Finnish. |
En puhu suomea. |
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I am speaking English, you idiot! |
Puhun englantia, idiootti! |
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How much does that cost? |
Kuinka paljon tuo maksaa? |
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It costs... |
Se maksaa... |
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You've got to be joking! |
Et voi olla tosissasi! |
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Can you recommend...? |
Voitteko suositella... |
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a restaurant with international cuisine. |
ravintolaa, jossa tarjoillaan kansainvälistä ruokaa? |
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local food. |
paikallista ruokaa? |
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the nearest hotdog stand? |
lähin nakkikioski? |
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Where's a good bar? |
Missä on hyvä baari? |
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an interesting pub? |
mukava pubi? |
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Hey buddy, you just spilled beer on me! |
Hei kaveri, läikytit olutta päälleni! |
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Throw up someplace else! |
Oksenna jossakin muualla! |
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Would you like to dance? |
Haluatteko tanssia? |
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No, I don't know how to do the humppa. |
Ei kiitos, en osaa humppaa. |
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Is that angry man your husband? |
Onko tuo vihainen mies aviomiehesi? |