Language/Finnish/Vocabulary/Greetings-and-Introductions

Finnish → Vocabulary → Greetings and Introductions

As a Finnish language teacher with 20 years of experience, I understand the importance of mastering basic greetings and introductions in any language. In this lesson, you will learn how to greet and introduce yourself in Finnish, perfect for beginners in the language.

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: At Home & How to count in Finnish.

Basic Greetings

Finnish greetings are usually informal, and there are various ways to say hello and goodbye depending on the time of day or the situation. Below are some basic Finnish greetings and their meanings:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Hei	[ˈhe̞i]	Hello/Hi
Moi	[mo̞i]	Hi
Hyvää päivää	[ˈhy̯ʋæː ˈpæ̌iʋæ̌ː]	Good day (formal)
Hyvää iltaa	[ˈhy̯ʋæː ˈil̺t̪æː]	Good evening (formal)
Heippa	[ˈheit̪ːp̬ɑ]	Bye
Näkemiin	[ˈnæ̌kemiːn]	Goodbye (formal)

Introducing Yourself

To introduce yourself to someone in Finnish, it is common to use the phrase "Minä olen" ("I am"). Here is an example:

• Minä olen Anna. - I am Anna.

You can also include information about where you are from or what you do:

• Minä olen Anna ja olen kotoisin Suomesta. - I am Anna and I am from Finland.
• Minä olen Anna ja olen opettaja. - I am Anna and I am a teacher.

When meeting someone for the first time, it is polite to ask for their name:

• Mikä sinun nimesi on? - What is your name? (Lit. "What is your name?")

To respond to this question, you can say:

• Minun nimeni on... - My name is...

Formal vs. Informal

In Finnish, there is an informal and a formal way to address someone. It is important to choose the appropriate form depending on the situation. The informal way is to use "sinä" when speaking to friends or family members, while the formal way is to use "te" when speaking to strangers, elders or in a professional setting.

Here are some examples of how to use the informal and formal forms:

• Sinä olet kiva - You are nice (informal)
• Te olette kiva - You are nice (formal)

To make the phrases above negative, you can use the word "et" (informal) or "ette" (formal):

• Sinä et ole kiva - You are not nice (informal)
• Te ette ole kiva - You are not nice (formal)

Saying Thank You

Gratitude is an important aspect of Finnish culture and it is common to express thanks for even the smallest favors.

Here are some ways to say "thank you" in Finnish:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Kiitos	[ˈkiito̞s]	Thank you
Kiitti	[ˈki̯it̪t̪i]	Thanks (informal)
Kiitoksia paljon	[ˈki̯it̪o̞ks̠i̯ɑ ˈpɑljo̞n]	Many thanks (formal)

Conclusion

Learning basic Finnish greetings and introductions is essential for effectively communicating with Finnish speakers. Remember to use the right formality and practice expressing thanks. With these simple phrases, you will be able to make a good impression and show respect for Finnish culture.

Sources

• How to introduce yourself in Finnish - A good place to start learning ...
• Finnish Greetings: Hello in Finnish and 15 Other Great Greeting Words
• FINN-111 Finnish 1A, Open uni: Finnish 1A, summer (June) 20/6–7 ...
• Uncover the Finnish Language: Easy Basics of Finnish Start Here

Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Dinner Table & How to say Good Bye?.

Other Lessons

• Transportation and Travel
• Animal
• Verb Types
• Basic Phrases in Finnish
• Problems in Finnish
• Adverbs in Finnish
• Dinner Table
• Numbers and Counting
• How to count in Finnish
• Home