/r/LearnFinnish

Photograph via snooOG

For people who are learning or want to learn the Finnish language.

Tervetuloa oppimaan suomea!

This is a subreddit for people who are learning or want to learn the Finnish language. Any and all ability levels are welcome! Ask questions, get advice, and discuss the learning process.

Wiki

If you're new to the subreddit, check out our wiki to find out how to start learning Finnish and other frequently asked questions. The wiki will always be work in progress so if you have something to add, be bold and edit it in.

Frequently Asked Questions
Learning Resources

Chat

Discord Server (text and voice)

Related Subreddits

/r/Suomi – discussion in Finnish

/r/Finland – discussion in English

/r/Svenska – the other Finnish language

/r/languagelearning – language learning in general

/r/LanguageBuds – find native speakers or learning buddies

/r/translator – for translation requests

Posting Help

The primary language of the subreddit is English. Finnish is naturally also accepted but particularly if you are more advanced yourself, keep in mind that there may be others who could benefit from understanding your posts.

Every thread should be flaired. This can be done by the author or left to moderators. The categories don't have strict definitions, but try to pick a fitting one!

Non-ASCII characters:
ä Ä ö Ö å Å š ž € –

IPA symbols for Finnish:
ɑ æ ø ɦ ŋ ʃ ç ɾ ɹ ʋ ʔ

/r/LearnFinnish

32,911 Subscribers

1

I borrowed a book for grammer from the library but I forgot the name. Unfortunately, I don't have the borrow history. The way grammer was taught was amazing.It was written in english by a Hungarian author. Does anyone know which book can it be?

2 Comments
2024/12/01
00:08 UTC

8

Suomi on todella hyvä ja kaunis maa

is this correct? im still working on forming Finnish sentences

5 Comments
2024/11/30
23:57 UTC

1

Finnish grammar book for native speakers

I'm a native speaker and interested of learning more about Finnish grammar in more foreign language school class level, not in actual linguistics level. It would be cool if such thingy was in Finnish as well.

2 Comments
2024/11/30
20:12 UTC

28

Do people no longer learn grammatical terms?

I hope this question is allowed. I'm mostly a lurker here, who studied Finnish at uni years ago, lived in Finland for a while and took Finnish courses at uni there, too.

I've noticed that hardly anyone who comes here with a question is using grammatical terms. It's MIHIN instead of illatiivi, or the "sta/stä case" instead of elatiivi.

Every Finnish teacher I had drilled the terms into us, every Finnisch textbook and grammar book I ever looked at (and I've seen dozens ins many different languages) used the grammatical terms.

What happened? Is it just Duolingo?

33 Comments
2024/11/30
13:33 UTC

9

TUO becomes TUOHON in S-MIHIN but Keittiö becomes Keittiöön? I understand that single syllable words with two ending vowels use +hVn ending. But what confuses me is how to know if words like keittiö become keittiöön or keittiöseen?

Is it that if words with 2+ syllables end with 2 same vowels, then we use the +SEEN ending but if words with 2+ syllables end with 2 different vowels, we use +Vn ending?

11 Comments
2024/11/30
12:10 UTC

14

Would anybody be interested in this Youtube to Anki converter designed to improve listening comprehension in Finnish? (details in comments)

1 Comment
2024/11/30
12:02 UTC

10

Ikkunalauta – Finnish Word of the Day – 30. marraskuuta 2024

Ikkunalauta (n.) – Windowsill

“Ikkunalauta” is a compound of “ikkuna” (window) and “lauta” (board).

Example: Yrttien kasvattaminen ikkunalaudalla on periaatteessa helppoa, vaikka olosuhteet määrittävätkin lopputuloksen.

Translation: Growing herbs on a windowsill is basically easy, although the conditions will determine the end result.

CaseSingularPlural
Nominativeikkunalautaikkunalaudat
Accusative (nom.)ikkunalautaikkunalaudat
Accusative (gen.)ikkunalaudanikkunalaudat
Genitiveikkunalaudanikkunalautojen; ikkunalautain
Partitiveikkunalautaaikkunalautoja
Inessiveikkunalaudassaikkunalaudoissa
Elativeikkunalaudastaikkunalaudoista
Illativeikkunalautaanikkunalautoihin
Adessiveikkunalaudallaikkunalaudoilla
Ablativeikkunalaudaltaikkunalaudoilta
Allativeikkunalaudalleikkunalaudoille
Essiveikkunalautanaikkunalautoina
Translativeikkunalaudaksiikkunalaudoiksi
Abessiveikkunalaudattaikkunalaudoitta
Instructiveikkunalaudoin

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

0 Comments
2024/11/30
06:01 UTC

0

Does the advanced Chatgpt voice mode have accurate Finnish pronunciation?

I wonder if there are any native Finnish speakers in this subreddit who have tried the advanced Chatgpt voice mode...

6 Comments
2024/11/30
02:55 UTC

6

I have a harddd time disambiguating the honorifics “hilla” and “Herra”… someone help

Just so you know im using Duolingo to learn Finnish

16 Comments
2024/11/29
13:41 UTC

11

Keiju – Finnish Word of the Day – 29. marraskuuta 2024

Keiju (n.) – Fairy

Example: Pikku keiju peseytyi aamukasteessa.

Translation: The little fairy washed itself in the morning dew.

CaseSingularPlural
Nominativekeijukeijut
Accusative (nom.)keijukeijut
Accusative (gen.)keijunkeijut
Genitivekeijunkeijujen
Partitivekeijuakeijuja
Inessivekeijussakeijuissa
Elativekeijustakeijuista
Illativekeijuunkeijuihin
Adessivekeijullakeijuilla
Ablativekeijultakeijuilta
Allativekeijullekeijuille
Essivekeijunakeijuina
Translativekeijuksikeijuiksi
Abessivekeijuttakeijuitta
Instructivekeijuin

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

1 Comment
2024/11/29
06:01 UTC

2

Learning Finnish.

Hei! I currently am a high school student and I have been thinking lately into moving to Finland for my Bachelor’s. I really want to start to learn Finnish but I don't know where to start. Is there any free online resources and any tips for learning Finnish? Is there also any online community of people who are learning Finnish? Kiitos!

6 Comments
2024/11/28
21:31 UTC

53

It's more than just a Finnish Dictionary app now

I originally created this Finnish dictionary app to help myself learn Finnish. But as I kept working on it, I got more ideas (many from friends and other Finnish learners) to add new features. While it’s exciting to keep building, I want to stay focused on the main goal: helping people improve their vocabulary and grammar without overcomplicating the app.

Now, I’m excited to introduce the very first beta version of Kiku AI, your personal Finnish language assistant!

Here’s how Kiku can help you learn Finnish better:

  • Vocabulary Inquiry: Ask Kiku the meaning and usage of Finnish words, complete with examples.
  • Sentence Translation: Get accurate translations, including both formal and informal variations.
  • Grammatical Review: Submit sentences for review and learn from Kiku’s clear explanations of any errors.
  • Writing Assistance: Improve your Finnish writing with better grammar, syntax, and style suggestions.

I hope Kiku AI makes your Finnish learning journey even smoother!

It's only available on iOS for now:

https://apps.apple.com/fi/app/kieli-pro-finnish-dictionary/id6623018184

11 Comments
2024/11/28
07:56 UTC

4

Kekseliäs – Finnish Word of the Day – 28. marraskuuta 2024

Kekseliäs (adj.) – Inventive, resourceful

Example: Tiedän, että hän on kekseliäs.

Translation: I know that she is resourceful.

CaseSingularPlural
Nominativekekseliäskekseliäät
Accusative (nom.)kekseliäskekseliäät
Accusative (gen.)kekseliäänkekseliäät
Genitivekekseliäänkekseliäiden; kekseliäitten; kekseliästen
Partitivekekseliästäkekseliäitä
Inessivekekseliäässäkekseliäissä
Elativekekseliäästäkekseliäistä
Illativekekseliääseenkekseliäisiin; kekseliäihin
Adessivekekseliäällä+G15:H22kekseliäillä
Ablativekekseliäältäkekseliäiltä
Allativekekseliäällekekseliäille
Essivekekseliäänäkekseliäinä
Translativekekseliääksikekseliäiksi
Abessivekekseliäättäkekseliäittä
Instructivekekseliäin
Comitativekekseliäine

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

0 Comments
2024/11/28
06:01 UTC

4

Sanatyypit

I am a solo learning and right now in suomen mestari 2. It showed me a new "sanatyyppi"(-Vus/Vys). It seems that the words "rakkaus" and "kokous" both end up in with -Vus yet they have a different form. Does anybody know why? How am I supposed to recognise which "sanatyypi" to use?

13 Comments
2024/11/27
18:12 UTC

5

Käveleekö

Kävellä is verb type 3, so why don’t I remove lä, add e to get Kävelekö, but the answer is Käveleekö in han question form? “Käveleekö hän…”

6 Comments
2024/11/27
09:10 UTC

9

I am cold vs. I am ready?

Hei! I'm just starting to learn and got a bit tripped up by "minulla on kylmä" and "olen valmis". Why do I possess cold, but I don't possess readiness? If anyone has any tips or a rule of thumb for how to think about this I'd appreciate it! Kiitos

33 Comments
2024/11/27
06:40 UTC

4

Hellästi – Finnish Word of the Day – 27. marraskuuta 2024

Hellästi (adv.) – 1. affectionately, tenderly; 2. gently

Example: Käsittele taimea hellästi, kuin käsittelisit vauvaa.

Translation: Treat the sprout gently, as you would treat a baby.

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

0 Comments
2024/11/27
06:01 UTC

0

Best course or app available in the US?

I have begun my journey of learning Finnish 22 days ago and I am now in need of a solid book AND/OR a course that could help me develop all my language skills equally. Anyone know of any courses that have Finnish for US learners?

Bonus point if the course also provides multiple languages since I also learn Mandarin, Norwegian, Swedish and a little Spanish to keep it up.

Also, where is the best place to find a language learning partner where we wouldn't have to pay to learn with others? (I can't afford Italki for this language currently.)

3 Comments
2024/11/27
03:58 UTC

82

This was the last place I expected to find Finnish

8 Comments
2024/11/27
02:27 UTC

7

Finnish story videos

I often see videos in the other language I’m learning (German) telling a story in the language for a certain cefr level But when I try this in Finnish, nothing comes up Anyone know any channels that do this

0 Comments
2024/11/26
10:32 UTC

6

Läpinäkyvä – Finnish Word of the Day – 26. marraskuuta 2024

Läpinäkyvä (adj.) – Transparent

Example: Lasi on läpinäkyvää ja helposti särkyvää ainetta.

Translation: Glass is a transparent and easily breakable material.

CaseSingularPlural
Nominativeläpinäkyväläpinäkyvät
Accusative (nom.)läpinäkyväläpinäkyvät
Accusative (gen.)läpinäkyvänläpinäkyvät
Genitiveläpinäkyvänläpinäkyvien; läpinäkyväin
Partitiveläpinäkyvääläpinäkyviä
Inessiveläpinäkyvässäläpinäkyvissä
Elativeläpinäkyvästäläpinäkyvistä
Illativeläpinäkyväänläpinäkyviin
Adessiveläpinäkyvälläläpinäkyvillä
Ablativeläpinäkyvältäläpinäkyviltä
Allativeläpinäkyvälleläpinäkyville
Essiveläpinäkyvänäläpinäkyvinä
Translativeläpinäkyväksiläpinäkyviksi
Abessiveläpinäkyvättäläpinäkyvittä
Instructiveläpinäkyvin
Comitativeläpinäkyvine

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

0 Comments
2024/11/26
06:01 UTC

15

My first YouTube video in Finnish!

I know it's been a month since the upload, but I have been busy. How was my speaking and all else? https://youtu.be/FNQO6lm3kPI

8 Comments
2024/11/25
23:04 UTC

15

Do i have to learn first yleiskieli and then move on to puhekieli or do i have to learn both?

i couldn't decide between learning icelandic or learning finnish, but i think i'll learn finnish since there's way more content in finnish for me to acquaire the language than there is in icelandic, so that's it i'm learning finnish

i know that learning finnish involves learning "2 languages", yleiskieli and puhekieli, but my question is: do i have to learn both at the same time? or would it better if i first learn yleiskieli as that's the one that most resources teach and then move to puhekieli?

16 Comments
2024/11/25
20:57 UTC

3

a question about verb conjugation

Hi, I found this sentence:

Ruokintapaikalle tulee rottia ja hiiriä

and I was wondering why the verb was in the 3rd person SINGULAR when we are talking about several animals.

Can you please explain to me?

Thanks.

5 Comments
2024/11/25
19:10 UTC

15

struggling with frustration and motivation

hellooo :) essentially exactly as the title says.

without being self depracating, i'm not the brightest, and i've been trying to learn since may of 2023 (but only properly studying for a little over a year now), and i've got nothing to show for it. i can't form basic sentences, i've got no reading comprehension, and at this point i've not studied for a couple months because i don't have the motivation to, since i'm not making any progress at all. i don't know how to study effectively.

just wondering if anybody has experienced anything similar, and maybe has any advice - study methods that work for them, some encouraging words, really anything to help get out of such a rut. i'm starting to think i'm just not cut out for learning a language 😅 thank you for reading!

8 Comments
2024/11/25
16:12 UTC

17

What is the difference between Ne and He

I am learning finnish and recently came across Ovatko ne, but usually, they is represented with he. Can somebody clarify how to use Ne

20 Comments
2024/11/25
14:09 UTC

5

Väline – Finnish Word of the Day – 25. marraskuuta 2024

Väline (n.) – Tool, instrument

“Väline” is used in many compound words, including “havaintoväline” (visual teaching aid), “kulkuväline” (means of transportation), “ruokailuväline” (cutlery), and “urheiluväline” (sports equipment).

Example: Hän käytti toisia ihmisiä pyrkimystensä välineinä.

Translation: He used other people as instruments for his efforts.

CaseSingularPlural
Nominativevälinevälineet
Accusative (nom.)välinevälineet
Accusative (gen.)välineenvälineet
Genitivevälineenvälineiden; välineitten
Partitivevälinettävälineitä
Inessivevälineessävälineissä
Elativevälineestävälineistä
Illativevälineeseenvälineisiin; välineihin
Adessivevälineellävälineillä
Ablativevälineeltävälineiltä
Allativevälineellevälineille
Essivevälineenävälineinä
Translativevälineeksivälineiksi
Abessivevälineettävälineittä
Instructivevälinein

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

0 Comments
2024/11/25
06:02 UTC

11

where to learn Finnish idioms and slang?

hei! i have been learning Finnish for a few days now. i am focussing on Finnish culture and tradtions at the moment, and wondering what some good resources there are for idioms and slang. like common phrases Finnish people would use in their everyday life. the wikipedia page was a bit too much for me. im just looking for some short phrases i could say to sort of blend in with other Finnish people when i study abroad. feel free to link some pages or put some in the comments. kiitos ja hyvää päivää!

13 Comments
2024/11/24
21:19 UTC

12

Hi can someone please help me with phrase

Terve!

I want to give my father a present and write - “To the best father from son” How it will be in Finnish correctly?

18 Comments
2024/11/24
12:14 UTC

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