Language/Finnish/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Finnish learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about Finnish vocabulary related to drinks. We will cover coffee, tea, juice, and alcoholic beverages, with cultural information and interesting facts. Let's get started!
Don't forget that to improve your Finnish Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Coffee[edit | edit source]
Finns love their coffee, and it's a big part of the culture. Did you know that Finland is the country with the highest coffee consumption per capita in the world? It's true! The average Finn drinks about 3 cups of coffee per day, and it's often enjoyed with a sweet pastry, such as a cinnamon roll or a cardamom bun. Finnish coffee is typically strong and dark, brewed in a drip coffee maker or a French press.
Here are some common Finnish words related to coffee:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kahvi | /ˈkah.vi/ | coffee |
| kahvipannu | /ˈka.hviˌpan.nu/ | coffee pot |
| kofeiini | /koˈfei.ni/ | caffeine |
| kermavaahto | /ˈkermɑˌvɑːh.to/ | whipped cream |
| maito | /ˈmɑi.to/ | milk |
| sokeri | /ˈso.ke.ri/ | sugar |
Now, let's see some examples in dialogue:
- Person 1: Haluaisin kahvin, kiitos. (I would like coffee, please.)
- Person 2: Selvä, miten haluaisit sen? Kermavaahdolla vai ilman? (Sure, how would you like it? With whipped cream or without?)
- Person 1: Ilman kiitos. (Without, please.)
Tea[edit | edit source]
Although coffee is more popular, tea is also enjoyed in Finland, especially in the afternoon with a sweet pastry. Finnish tea is often flavored with berries or herbs, such as blueberry or mint, and it's typically served with milk or sometimes with a slice of lemon.
Here are some common Finnish words related to tea:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tee | /ˈteː/ | tea |
| teepannu | /ˈteːˌpanːu/ | teapot |
| katajanmarja | /ˈka.ta.jɑn.ˌmɑr.jɑ/ | juniper berry |
| lakritsi | /ˈlɑk.rit.si/ | licorice |
| hunaja | /ˈhu.nɑ.jɑ/ | honey |
Now, let's see some examples in dialogue:
- Person 1: Voinko tilata teetä? (Can I order tea?)
- Person 2: Tietysti, millaisen teen haluaisit? Lakritsiteenä vai minttuteenä? (Of course, what kind of tea would you like? Licorice or mint?)
- Person 1: Minttuteenä kiitos. (Mint tea, please.)
Juice[edit | edit source]
In Finland, juice is a popular non-alcoholic drink, especially among children. Finnish juice is often made from berries or fruits, and it's typically sweetened with sugar or honey. It's a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Here are some common Finnish words related to juice:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mehu | /ˈme.hu/ | juice |
| appelsiinimehu | /ˈɑp.pel.siː.ni.me.hu/ | orange juice |
| mustikkamehu | /ˈmus.tik.ka.me.hu/ | blueberry juice |
| omenatäysmehu | /ˈo.me.nɑ.tæysˌme.hu/ | pure apple juice |
| hunajamehu | /ˈhu.nɑ.jɑ.me.hu/ | honey juice |
Now, let's see some examples in dialogue:
- Person 1: Onko teillä mehuja? (Do you have any juices?)
- Person 2: Kyllä, meillä on appelsiinimehua, mustikkamehua ja omenatäysmehua. (Yes, we have orange juice, blueberry juice, and pure apple juice.)
- Person 1: Antaisitteko minulle appelsiinimehua, kiitos. (Could you give me some orange juice, please?)
Alcoholic beverages[edit | edit source]
Finland has a strong drinking culture, and alcohol is an important part of many social gatherings. The legal drinking age in Finland is 18 years old for drinks with up to 22% alcohol and 20 years old for stronger drinks. It's important to drink responsibly and to never drink and drive.
Here are some common Finnish words related to alcoholic beverages:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| alkoholi | /ˈɑl.ko.ho.li/ | alcohol |
| kalja | /ˈkɑl.jɑ/ | beer |
| viini | /ˈviː.ni/ | wine |
| vodka | /ˈvod.ka/ | vodka |
| booli | /ˈboː.li/ | punch |
Now, let's see some examples in dialogue:
- Person 1: Minä otan oluen, kiitos. (I'll have a beer, please.)
- Person 2: Selvä, millaisen oluen haluaisit? Vaalean vai tumman? (Sure, what kind of beer would you like? Light or dark?)
- Person 1: Tumman oluen kiitos. (Dark beer, please.)
That's it for this lesson about Finnish vocabulary related to drinks. I hope you learned something new! Don't forget to practice with a native speaker and to try some Finnish drinks if you have the chance. 😊
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources: - "Facts about Finland: Finnish Drinking Habits". Embassy of Finland in Washington. https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/facts-about-finland#drinking-habits. Accessed 23 June 2021. - "Finnish coffee culture – six ways to brew, sip and savour". Visit Finland. https://www.visitfinland.com/article/finnish-coffee-culture-six-ways-to-brew-sip-and-savour/. Accessed 23 June 2021.
Videos[edit | edit source]
TRYING FINNISH SODAS AND ENERGY DRINKS | Part 2 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Animals
- Home
- Health
- Weather
- Parts of the Body
- How to say Good Bye?
- Verb Types
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Days of the Week
- Fruits
Sources[edit | edit source]
- A small dictionary of Finnish drinking words | Larsblog
- Essential Finnish Vocabulary For Talking about Drinks
- Finnish picture dictionaries for learning vocabulary