Language/Finnish/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counting
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on numbers and counting in Finnish! In this lesson, we will explore one of the most basic and essential aspects of any language – numbers. Numbers are used in various contexts, from counting objects to telling time and expressing quantities. By mastering the Finnish numbers, you will be able to communicate more effectively and navigate everyday situations with ease.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of this topic, we will cover various aspects of counting in Finnish. We will begin by learning the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10, and then gradually progress to higher numbers. We will also explore the rules for forming compound numbers and using ordinal numbers. Along the way, we will provide plenty of examples and exercises to reinforce your learning.
Understanding numbers in Finnish is not only useful for day-to-day communication but also for gaining insights into Finnish culture. Throughout this lesson, we will share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to numbers in Finland. You will discover how numbers are used in Finnish folklore, traditions, and even in the names of Finnish sports teams!
By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in Finnish numbers and counting, enabling you to confidently express quantities, understand prices, tell time, and engage in basic arithmetic. So let's dive in and embark on this exciting journey into the world of Finnish numbers!
Table of Contents[edit | edit source]
Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]
Numbers 0 to 10[edit | edit source]
Let's start by learning the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10 in Finnish. These numbers are the building blocks for forming larger numbers, so it's important to have a solid grasp of them. Here are the numbers 0 to 10 in Finnish:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| nolla | [ˈnolːɑ] | zero |
| yksi | [ˈyksi] | one |
| kaksi | [ˈkɑksi] | two |
| kolme | [ˈkolme] | three |
| neljä | [ˈneljæ] | four |
| viisi | [ˈviːsi] | five |
| kuusi | [ˈkuːsi] | six |
| seitsemän | [ˈseitseˌmæn] | seven |
| kahdeksan | [ˈkɑhˌdekˌsɑn] | eight |
| yhdeksän | [ˈyhˌdekˌsæn] | nine |
| kymmenen | [ˈkymˌmeˌnen] | ten |
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of these numbers. Pay attention to the stress patterns and vowel sounds, as they can vary from English. Practice saying the numbers aloud to improve your pronunciation skills.
Numbers 11 to 19[edit | edit source]
In Finnish, the numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by combining the word for ten (kymmenen) with the numbers one to nine. However, there is a slight change in the word for ten when forming these numbers. Let's take a look:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| yksitoista | [ˈyksiˌtoiˌstɑ] | eleven |
| kaksitoista | [ˈkɑksiˌtoiˌstɑ] | twelve |
| kolmetoista | [ˈkolmeˌtoiˌstɑ] | thirteen |
| neljätoista | [ˈneljæˌtoiˌstɑ] | fourteen |
| viisitoista | [ˈviːsiˌtoiˌstɑ] | fifteen |
| kuusitoista | [ˈkuːsiˌtoiˌstɑ] | sixteen |
| seitsemäntoista | [ˈseitseˌmænˌtoiˌstɑ] | seventeen |
| kahdeksantoista | [ˈkɑhˌdekˌsanˌtoiˌstɑ] | eighteen |
| yhdeksäntoista | [ˈyhˌdekˌsanˌtoiˌstɑ] | nineteen |
As you can see, the numbers from 11 to 19 follow a consistent pattern. The word for ten (kymmenen) is modified to "toista" when combined with the numbers one to nine. Take note of the stress patterns and practice pronouncing these numbers.
Numbers 20 to 100[edit | edit source]
To form numbers from 20 to 100 in Finnish, we use a combination of the base numbers and the word for ten (kymmenen). Here's how it works:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kaksikymmentä | [ˈkɑksiˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | twenty |
| kolmekymmentä | [ˈkolmeˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | thirty |
| neljäkymmentä | [ˈneljæˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | forty |
| viisikymmentä | [ˈviːsiˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | fifty |
| kuusikymmentä | [ˈkuːsiˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | sixty |
| seitsemänkymmentä | [ˈseitseˌmænˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | seventy |
| kahdeksankymmentä | [ˈkɑhˌdekˌsanˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | eighty |
| yhdeksänkymmentä | [ˈyhˌdekˌsanˌkymˌmɛnˌtæ] | ninety |
To form numbers such as 21, 32, 45, and so on, simply combine the base number (e.g., kaksi for 2, kolme for 3) with the word for ten (kymmenen) using "kymmentä" as the connector. For example:
- 21 - kaksikymmentäyksi [ˈkɑksiˌkymˌmɛnˌtæˌyksi]
- 32 - kolmekymmentäkaksi [ˈkolmeˌkymˌmɛnˌtæˌkɑksi]
- 45 - neljäkymmentäviisi [ˈneljæˌkymˌmɛnˌtæˌviːsi]
Take your time to practice pronouncing these numbers and pay attention to any changes in stress patterns.
Numbers 100 to 1000[edit | edit source]
When it comes to numbers from 100 to 1000, the same pattern applies as with the numbers from 20 to 100. Here's how it works:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sata | [ˈsɑˌtɑ] | one hundred |
| kaksisataa | [ˈkɑksiˌsɑˌtɑː] | two hundred |
| kolmesataa | [ˈkolmeˌsɑˌtɑː] | three hundred |
| neljäsataa | [ˈneljæˌsɑˌtɑː] | four hundred |
| viisisataa | [ˈviːsiˌsɑˌtɑː] | five hundred |
| kuusisataa | [ˈkuːsiˌsɑˌtɑː] | six hundred |
| seitsemänsataa | [ˈseitseˌmænˌsɑˌtɑː] | seven hundred |
| kahdeksansataa | [ˈkɑhˌdekˌsanˌsɑˌtɑː] | eight hundred |
| yhdeksänsataa | [ˈyhˌdekˌsanˌsɑˌtɑː] | nine hundred |
| tuhat | [ˈtuːˌhɑt] | one thousand |
To form numbers such as 101, 253, 476, and so on, combine the base number (e.g., yksi for 1, kolme for 3) with the word for hundred (sata) using "sataa" as the connector. For example:
- 101 - satakaksi [ˈsɑˌtɑˌkɑksi]
- 253 - kaksisataaviisikymmentäkolme [ˈkɑksiˌsɑˌtɑˌviːsiˌkymˌmɛnˌtæˌkolme]
- 476 - neljäsataaseitsemänkymmentäkuusi [ˈneljæˌsɑˌtɑˌseitseˌmænˌkymˌmɛnˌtæˌkuːsi]
Practice pronouncing these numbers and take note of any changes in stress patterns.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Counting in Finnish not only serves a practical purpose but also provides a glimpse into Finnish culture. Here are a few interesting cultural insights related to numbers in Finland:
Lucky and Unlucky Numbers[edit | edit source]
Like many cultures, Finns have their own beliefs about lucky and unlucky numbers. The number seven (seitsemän) is often considered lucky in Finnish culture. It's believed to bring good fortune and is associated with positive events. On the other hand, the number thirteen (kolmetoista) is considered unlucky, similar to many other cultures around the world.
Sports Team Names[edit | edit source]
Finnish sports teams often incorporate numbers into their names. For example, the ice hockey team HIFK, based in Helsinki, stands for "Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi" (Helsinki Football Club) and was founded in 1897. The number 1897 represents the year of its establishment. Similarly, the football team HJK, also based in Helsinki, stands for "Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi" and was founded in 1907. The number 1907 represents the year of its establishment. These numbers are not only significant in terms of history but also add a unique touch to the team names.
Number Superstitions[edit | edit source]
In Finnish folklore, certain numbers are associated with superstitions and beliefs. For example, the number nine (yhdeksän) is believed to have magical properties and is associated with completion and fulfillment. It's also associated with the nine-month gestation period of pregnancy, symbolizing new beginnings and the birth of a new life.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Try these exercises to reinforce your understanding of Finnish numbers and counting:
1. Write the following numbers in Finnish:
a) 15 b) 28 c) 43 d) 57 e) 64
2. Say the following numbers in Finnish:
a) 86 b) 99 c) 105 d) 210 e) 379
3. Form the following compound numbers in Finnish:
a) 23 b) 39 c) 57 d) 82 e) 99
4. Translate the following numbers from Finnish to English:
a) neljäkymmentäviisi b) seitsemäntoista c) kolmesataakahdeksankymmentäyhdeksän d) kuusisataa e) kaksisataayhdeksän
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. Write the following numbers in Finnish:
a) 15 - viisitoista b) 28 - kaksikymmentäkahdeksan c) 43 - neljäkymmentäkolme d) 57 - viisikymmentäseitsemän e) 64 - kuusikymmentäneljä
2. Say the following numbers in Finnish:
a) 86 - kahdeksankymmentäkuusi b) 99 - yhdeksänkymmentäyhdeksän c) 105 - satakolme d) 210 - kaksisataakymmenen e) 379 - kolmesataaseitsemänkymmentäyhdeksän
3. Form the following compound numbers in Finnish:
a) 23 - kaksikymmentäkolme b) 39 - kolmekymmentäyhdeksän c) 57 - viisikymmentäseitsemän d) 82 - kahdeksankymmentäkaksi e) 99 - yhdeksänkymmentäyhdeksän
4. Translate the following numbers from Finnish to English:
a) neljäkymmentäviisi - forty-five b) seitsemäntoista - seventeen c) kolmesataakahdeksankymmentäyhdeksän - three hundred eighty-nine d) kuusisataa - six hundred e) kaksisataayhdeksän - two hundred nine
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations on completing this lesson on Finnish numbers and counting! By now, you should have a solid understanding of the cardinal numbers from 0 to 1000, as well as the rules for forming compound numbers and using ordinal numbers. Remember to practice regularly to reinforce your learning and improve your pronunciation.
Numbers are an essential part of any language, and mastering them will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Finnish. Whether you're counting objects, telling time, or expressing quantities, knowing the numbers will make your interactions in Finnish more effective and efficient.
In addition to the practical aspects, we hope you enjoyed learning about the cultural insights related to numbers in Finnish culture. Remember that language and culture are intertwined, and by exploring these connections, you gain a deeper appreciation for the language you're learning.
Keep up the great work and stay curious about the fascinating world of Finnish language and culture. Onwards to the next lesson!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn Finnish - Finnish in Three Minutes - Numbers 1-10 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Finnish Numbers - How to count in Finnish - ielanguages.com
- Finnish Numbers: How to Count in Finnish
- Flashcards for learning the Finnish language
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Problems in Finnish
- Transportation and Travel
- Colors and Shapes
- How to count in Finnish
- Verb Types
- Essential Phrases in Finnish
- At Home
- Feelings and Emotions
- How to Say Hello and Greetings