Hear Finnish Survival Phrases

The Finnish language lesson offered here is an excerpt from the Finnish Title in Transparent Language's Languages of the World software program. The Basic Finnish Phrases and the Finnish Phrases for Meeting and Greeting will lead you to the Finnish Dialog at the end, which shows how these Finnish survival phrases are used in conversational Finnish. Single click on the phrase to hear the Finnish pronunciation spoken by a native Finnish speaker. Take advantage of this Finnish language resource as you learn to speak Finnish!

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Basic Finnish Phrases

Kyllä. Yes.
 
Ei. No.
 
Olkaa hyvä.  Please.
 
Kiitos.  Thank you.
 
Olkaa hyvä.  You're welcome.
 
Anteeksi.  Excuse me.
 
Valitan. I am sorry.
 
Hyvää huomenta.  Good morning.
 
Hyvää iltaa.  Good evening.
 
Hyvää yötä.  Good night.
 
Finnish Phrases for Meeting and Greeting
 
Puhutteko englantia?  Do you speak English?
 
Osaako kukaan täällä englantia?  Does anyone here speak English?
 
Puhun vain vähän suomea.  I only speak a little Finnish.
 
Mikä teidän nimenne on?  What is your name?
 
Nimeni on Ritva.  My name is Ritva.
 
Mitä kuuluu?  How are you?
 
Hyvää, kiitos.  I'm fine, thank you.
 
Hauska tavata.  I am very glad to meet you.
 
En ymmärrä.  I don't understand.
 
Mitä sanoitte?  What did you say?
 
Voisitteko puhua hitaammin?  Can you speak more slowly?
 
Ymmärrän hyvin.  I understand perfectly.

Dialog

Mrs. Rossi:	Huomenta. Good morning. Puhutteko englantia? Do you speak English?
Store Clerk:	Valitan, en puhu englantia. I'm sorry, I don't speak English.
Mrs. Rossi:	Valitettavasti minä puhun vain vähän suomea. Unfortunately, I speak only a little Finnish.
Store Clerk:	Se sopii. Ymmärrän kyllä. That's all right. I understand you.