CultureUpdated: Feb 2026
Finnish Phrases for Travelers
Everyone in Lapland speaks English, but a few words in "The Language of the Elves" goes a long way.
The Basics
| Finnish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kiitos | Kee-toss | Thank you |
| Moi | Moy | Hi (Informal) |
| Moi Moi | Moy Moy | Bye bye |
| Anteeksi | An-teck-see | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Ole hyvä | Oh-leh hoo-va | You're welcome / Here you go |
| Kyllä / Ei | Kül-la / Ay | Yes / No |
| Hei | Hay | Hello / Bye (formal) |
| Voitko auttaa? | Voy-tko owt-taa | Can you help me? |
The Silent "K"
Finnish is phonetic — you say every letter. "Kiitos" has two 'i's, so you hold that 'ee' sound slightly longer. Think of it as a rhythmic language.
Social Nuance
Finns prioritize honesty over small talk. If a Finn asks "How are you?", they actually want to know if you are having a good day. If you don't feel like talking, a simple "Moi" and a nod is respected.
Useful Signage
| Finnish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Auki | Ow-ki | Open |
| Kiinni | Keen-ni | Closed |
| Sisään | Si-saan | Entrance |
| Ulos | Oo-loss | Exit |
| Apteekki | Ap-teh-ki | Pharmacy |
| Naiset | Nai-set | Women (toilets) |
| Miehet | Mee-eh-het | Men (toilets) |
| Kassa | Kas-sa | Checkout / Till |
| Vaara | Vaa-ra | Danger / Warning |
| Poistumistie | Poys-too-mis-tee-eh | Emergency exit |
Supermarket Labels
Reading Finnish food packaging without confusion. Look for these words on labels and shelf tags.
| Finnish | English | Category | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maito | Milk | Dairy | Rasvaton = Skimmed (Red), Kevyt = Semi (Blue) |
| Piimä | Sour Milk | Dairy | Looks like milk cartons! Do not confuse. |
| Laktoositon | Lactose-Free | Dietary | Standard in Finland. |
| Gluteeniton | Gluten-Free | Dietary | Wide selection available. |
| Jauheliha | Minced Meat | Meat | Mix of pork/beef usually. |
| Kana | Chicken | Meat | Often marinated (marinoitu). |
| Kananmuna | Eggs | Dairy | - |
| Juusto | Cheese | Dairy | - |
| Vesi | Water | Drinks | Hiilihapollinen = Sparkling |
| Luomu | Organic | Dietary | EU Organic certification. |
| Paikallinen | Local | Label | Locally sourced product. |
| Parasta ennen | Best before | Label | Not the same as expiry. |
Medical Vocabulary
| Finnish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Särkylääke | Sar-kü-la-ke | Painkiller |
| Kuume | Koo-meh | Fever |
| Vatsatauti | Vat-sa-tow-ti | Stomach flu |
| Lääkäri | La-ka-ri | Doctor |
| Apteekki | Ap-teh-ki | Pharmacy |
| Sairaala | Sai-raa-la | Hospital |
| Ambulanssi | Am-boo-lans-si | Ambulance |
| Kipu | Ki-poo | Pain |
| Allergia | Al-ler-gi-a | Allergy |
| Terveyskeskus | Ter-veys-kes-koos | Health Center |
Emergency Number
Call 112 for any life-threatening emergency. Operators speak English. Call 116 117 for non-urgent medical advice (free, 24/7).