Language/Finnish/Pronunciation/Alphabet-and-Pronunciation

Hei!

I'll try to tell you about pronunciation of Finnish.

In common, it's easier than English writing/reading system. You read words precisely as they are written. But there are also some vital details you should always remember.

Alphabet

Letter	Pronunciation
a	[a:]
b	[be:]
c	[se:]
d	[de:]
e	[e:]
f	[æf]
g	[ge:]
h	[ho:]
i	[i:]
j	[ji:]
k	[ko:]
l	[æl]
m	[æm]
n	[æn]
o	[o:]
p	[pe:]
q	[ku:]
r	[ær]
s	[æs]
t	[te:]
u	[u:]
v	[ve:]
w	[ve:], [kaksoisve:]
x	[æks]
y	[y:]
z	[tset]
å	[o:], [ruotsalainen o:]
ä	[æ:]
ö	[ø:]

Long and short sounds

As soon as Finnish uses really few sounds, the length of similar sounds is important. As example - tapaan sinut "I meet you" and tapan sinut "I murder you".

ee, aa, oo, uu

So if you see ee, aa, oo, uu - read them loooong . Usual letters you read in a usual manner.

It is a bit trickier with long konsomants , that are also important. Try NOT to read them as two discreet k-k, t-t etc. Try that instead :

• Set your mouth as if you are ready to say it.
• Take a very short pause.
• Say the sound - but strongly.

Congratulations, you've done it! :)

Perhaps it would be good if you train a bit with kk, pp, tt.

mm, ss, rr, nn, ll

Sounds mm, ss, rr, nn, ll don't need such an articulation, just say them a bit longer.

Ä, Y, Ö

Ä, Y, Ö are authentic for Finnish.

• Ä resembles "cAt" or "bAd" in English.
• Y resembles German Über or French vU
• Ö resembles the same sound in German

Authors

Alexofwermland