When traveling in Finland you will find that English is spoken to a good standard in most places, so learning Finnish isn’t a “must” before you travel. But if you would like to learn a little and try it out on your trip here are a few phrases you might find useful! The Finns will very much appreciate that you’ve made the effort!
Greetings:
Hello = Terve (TEHR-veh)
Hi = Moi (MOI)
How are you? = Mitä kuuluu? (MEE-ta KOO-loo)
Goodbye = Näkemiin. (NAK-eh-meen.)
Bye = Moi Moi (MOI MOI)
Do you speak English? = Puhutko englantia? (POO-hoot-koh EHNG-lahn-tee-ah?)
I don’t speak Finnish = En puhu suomea (EN POO-hoo SOO-oh-meh-ah)
Yes = Joo (yoh) or Kyllä (KUUL-la)
No = Ei (ay)
Thank you = Kiitos (KEE-tohss)
Excuse me (sorry, getting attention, I beg your pardon) = Anteeksi (AHN-tehk-see)
Socialising:
Cheers! (when drinking) = kippis! (KIHP-pihs)
Cheers! (when drinking, informal, like “Down the hatch!”) = hölkyn kölkyn (HUHL-kunn KUHL-kunn)
Numbers:
One = yksi (UUK-see)
Two = kaksi (KAHK-see)
Three = kolme (KOHL-meh)
Four = neljä (NEHL-ya)
Five = viisi (VEE-see)
Six = kuusi (KOO-see)
Seven = seitsemän (SAYT-seh-man)
Eight = kahdeksan (KAHH-dehk-sahn)
Nine = yhdeksän (UUHH-dehk-san)
Ten = kymmenen (KUUM-mehn-nehn)
Days of the week:
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)
Sunday = sunnuntai (SOON-noon-tigh)
Nature Travels offers a variety of outdoor activities in Finland, from canoeing and sea kayaking to dog sledding and ski touring.