LANGUAGE
From written signs to everyday conversation.
Mandarin Chinese / Taiwan
Bopomofo / Zhuyin
注音符號A set of phonetic symbols used to show Mandarin pronunciation. Syllables are assembled from an initial, a medial or final, and a tone.
The first version was created in 1913 and released in 1918. It remains a practical reading, dictionary, and keyboard tool in Taiwan.
- SYMBOLS
- 37
- TONES
- 5
- ALSO CALLED
- Zhuyin / Zhuyin Fuhao
Initials
21Medials
3Finals
13Tones
5FINNISH / EVERYDAY SURVIVAL
Suomi
Food, transport, shops, and getting help.
Build the sentences you need.
The words for everyday life.
Find a situation, read the phrase, or show the native text. Learn common replies as well as questions.
Pronunciation & how to use these phrases
Stress the first syllable. Double letters last longer: tuli (fire), tuuli (wind), tulli (customs). J sounds like English y. Ä is like a in cat; ö resembles German ö; y is like French u or German ü—round your lips while saying ee. Vowels stay clear instead of reducing to uh. The few English-style reading aids are approximate; spelling and length are more reliable.
Use whole noun phrases until case endings become familiar. The ticket template paikkaan … literally says to the place …; showing the destination avoids guessing its Finnish case ending. A peanut allergy is an example to adapt, not an assumed personal condition.
84 phrases
Basics
Communication
Bathrooms
Food & ordering
Shops & convenience stores
Money & payment
Taxis & transit
Airport
Accommodation
Directions & time
Help & problems
Phone & internet
Replies & signs
Further reading & cultural sources
FINNISH / GRAMMAR REFERENCE
9 chaptersForms, rules & structure
Standard written Finnish. Spoken Finnish has systematic differences in pronouns, agreement and forms.
Grammar terminology
- Noun
- A word used to name or classify an entity: person, place, object, substance, idea.
- Adjective
- A word that describes a property; its form and position depend on the language.
- Pronoun
- A form used to refer to a participant or entity without repeating a full noun phrase.
- Determiner
- A word such as an article, demonstrative or possessive that helps specify a noun phrase.
- Verb
- A word heading a predicate, often describing an action, event or state.
- Conjugation
- A pattern of verb forms expressing grammatical distinctions such as person, tense or mood.
- Declension
- A pattern of noun, pronoun or adjective forms, often marking case, number and gender.
- Case
- A distinction marking a noun phrase’s grammatical role or its relationship to a governing word.
- Gender
- A grammatical classification of nouns; it need not match sex or have a transparent meaning.
- Agreement
- A form changes to match features of another expression, such as person, number, gender or case.
- Tense
- A grammatical way of locating a situation relative to a time of reference.
- Aspect
- How a situation is viewed: for example ongoing, habitual, completed or prior to a reference point.
- Mood
- A grammatical distinction associated with assertion, possibility, commands, wishes or other clause functions.
- Finite form
- A verb form that can serve as a clause’s main inflected verb, contrasting with infinitives and participles. The precise criteria vary by language.
- Participle
- A verb-derived form used in constructions such as modifiers, compound tenses or passives; its roles vary by language.
- Infinitive
- A nonfinite verb form in languages that have one; it is not automatically equivalent to English “to + verb”.
- Subject / object
- Grammatical relations in a clause, not universal synonyms for “doer” and “receiver”.
- Clitic
- A short grammatical form that depends phonologically on a neighboring word.
- Transitive
- Describes a verb construction that takes a direct object.
- Register
- A variety of expression associated with context, relationship or level of formality.
Nouns, number & vowel harmony
- Finnish has no grammatical noun gender and no a/the articles. Hän refers to a person without a gender distinction.
- Case suffixes attach to stems, which may differ from the dictionary form. Back-vowel suffixes with a/o/u alternate with front-vowel forms ä/ö/y under vowel harmony; e/i are neutral.
| Pattern | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| singular nominative | talo | house |
| plural nominative | talot | houses |
| singular stem + case | talossa | in the house |
| plural stem + case | taloissa | in the houses |
| front harmony | kylässä | in the village |
Worked examples
Kylässä on kaksi taloa.
There are two houses in the village.
How it works: Kylä selects front -ssä. After kaksi, the noun is singular partitive taloa.
I am / I have
Minä olen = I am; sinä olet = you are; hän on = he/she is; me olemme = we are. Finnish has no grammatical gender and no a/the articles. Possession uses minulla on, literally at me is.
Olen täällä.I am here.
Minulla on varaus.I have a reservation.
Onko teillä huonetta?Do you have a room?
Minä is often omitted: olen täällä. Spoken Finnish often uses mä oon for minä olen; both mean I am. Standard forms remain useful and understandable.
Try it yourself
1 / 1 · 0 correctComplete the sentence using the pattern above.
Minulla ___ varaus.
All words · vocabulary quiz
1 / 149 · 0 correctChoose the English meaning.
nolla
nollazero
nollazero · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
yksione
yksione · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kaksitwo
kaksitwo · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kolmethree
kolmethree · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
neljäfour
neljäfour · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
viisifive
viisifive · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kuusisix
kuusisix · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
seitsemänseven
seitsemänseven · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kahdeksaneight
kahdeksaneight · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
yhdeksännine
yhdeksännine · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kymmenenten
kymmenenten · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kaksikymmentätwenty
kaksikymmentätwenty · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
sataone hundred
sataone hundred · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
tuhatone thousand
tuhatone thousand · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
vesiwater
vesiwater · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kahvicoffee
kahvicoffee · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
teetea
teetea · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
maitomilk
maitomilk · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
leipäbread
leipäbread · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
keitetty riisicooked rice
keitetty riisicooked rice · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
nuudelitnoodles
nuudelitnoodles · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kanachicken (meat)
kanachicken (meat) · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
sianlihapork
sianlihapork · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
naudanlihabeef
naudanlihabeef · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kalafish
kalafish · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kananmunaegg
kananmunaegg · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
vihanneksetvegetables
vihanneksetvegetables · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
hedelmätfruit
hedelmätfruit · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
maapähkinäpeanut
maapähkinäpeanut · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
katkarapushrimp
katkarapushrimp · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
sokerisugar
sokerisugar · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
suolasalt
suolasalt · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
jääice
jääice · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
olutbeer
olutbeer · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
viiniwine
viiniwine · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
aamiainenbreakfast
aamiainenbreakfast · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
lounaslunch
lounaslunch · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
päivällinendinner
päivällinendinner · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
pullobottle
pullobottle · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
pussibag
pussibag · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
kuittireceipt
kuittireceipt · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
käteinencash
käteinencash · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
laturicharger
laturicharger · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
passipassport
passipassport · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
lipputicket
lipputicket · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
avainkey
avainkey · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
pyyhetowel
pyyhetowel · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
vessapaperitoilet paper
vessapaperitoilet paper · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
lentokenttäairport
lentokenttäairport · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
bussibus
bussibus · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
taksitaxi
taksitaxi · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
junatrain
junatrain · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
hotellihotel
hotellihotel · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
sairaalahospital
sairaalahospital · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
apteekkipharmacy
apteekkipharmacy · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
vessabathroom / toilet
vessabathroom / toilet · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
maanantaiMonday
maanantaiMonday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
tiistaiTuesday
tiistaiTuesday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
keskiviikkoWednesday
keskiviikkoWednesday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
torstaiThursday
torstaiThursday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
perjantaiFriday
perjantaiFriday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
lauantaiSaturday
lauantaiSaturday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
sunnuntaiSunday
sunnuntaiSunday · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
minuuttiminute
minuuttiminute · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
tuntihour
tuntihour · dictionary form; see Grammar for sentence forms.
Hei.Hello / good day
Hei.Hello / good day · hey
Kiitos.Thank you
Kiitos.Thank you · KEE-tos
Anteeksi.Excuse me / sorry
Anteeksi.Excuse me / sorry · AHN-tehk-see
Hei hei.Goodbye
Hei hei.Goodbye · hey hey
Puhutko englantia?Do you speak English?
Puhutko englantia?Do you speak English? · POO-hoot-koh EHNG-lahn-tee-ah
En ymmärrä.I do not understand.
En ymmärrä.I do not understand. · en UEM-maer-rae
Voisitko puhua hitaammin?Please speak more slowly.
Voisitko puhua hitaammin?Please speak more slowly.
Voisitko toistaa?Could you repeat that?
Voisitko toistaa?Could you repeat that?
Voisitko kirjoittaa sen?Please write it down.
Voisitko kirjoittaa sen?Please write it down.
Kuulen huonosti.I am hard of hearing.
Kuulen huonosti.I am hard of hearing.
Missä on vessa?Where is the bathroom?
Missä on vessa?Where is the bathroom? · MEES-sae on VES-sah
Saanko käyttää vessaa?May I use the bathroom?
Saanko käyttää vessaa?May I use the bathroom?
Vessapaperi on loppu.There is no toilet paper.
Vessapaperi on loppu.There is no toilet paper.
Pöytä yhdelle, kiitos.A table for one, please.
Pöytä yhdelle, kiitos.A table for one, please.
Saisinko ruokalistan?May I see the menu?
Saisinko ruokalistan?May I see the menu?
Tämä, kiitos.This one, please. (point)
Tämä, kiitos.This one, please. (point) · TAE-mae KEE-tos
Mitä suosittelet?What do you recommend?
Mitä suosittelet?What do you recommend?
Vettä, kiitos.Water, please.
Vettä, kiitos.Water, please. · VET-tae KEE-tos
Kahvi, kiitos.A coffee, please.
Kahvi, kiitos.A coffee, please.
Ilman sokeria, kiitos.Without sugar, please.
Ilman sokeria, kiitos.Without sugar, please.
Ei tulista, kiitos.Not spicy, please.
Ei tulista, kiitos.Not spicy, please.
En syö lihaa.I do not eat meat.
En syö lihaa.I do not eat meat.
Olen allerginen maapähkinöille.I have a peanut allergy.
Olen allerginen maapähkinöille.I have a peanut allergy.
Sisältääkö tämä maitoa?Does this contain milk?
Sisältääkö tämä maitoa?Does this contain milk?
Mukaan, kiitos.To take away, please.
Mukaan, kiitos.To take away, please.
Syön täällä.To eat here.
Syön täällä.To eat here.
Lasku, kiitos.The bill, please.
Lasku, kiitos.The bill, please. · LAHS-koo KEE-tos
Paljonko tämä maksaa?How much is this?
Paljonko tämä maksaa?How much is this?
Onko teillä tätä?Do you have this? (show an item)
Onko teillä tätä?Do you have this? (show an item)
Pussi, kiitos.A bag, please.
Pussi, kiitos.A bag, please.
En tarvitse pussia.I do not need a bag.
En tarvitse pussia.I do not need a bag.
Voisitko lämmittää tämän?Could you heat this up?
Voisitko lämmittää tämän?Could you heat this up?
Missä on lähin ruokakauppa?Where is the nearest convenience store / small grocery?
Missä on lähin ruokakauppa?Where is the nearest convenience store / small grocery?
Mihin aikaan suljette?What time do you close?
Mihin aikaan suljette?What time do you close?
Voinko maksaa kortilla?Can I pay by card?
Voinko maksaa kortilla?Can I pay by card?
Kuitti, kiitos.A receipt, please.
Kuitti, kiitos.A receipt, please.
Missä on pankkiautomaatti?Where is an ATM?
Missä on pankkiautomaatti?Where is an ATM?
Voisitko näyttää hinnan?Please show me the price.
Voisitko näyttää hinnan?Please show me the price.
Tähän osoitteeseen, kiitos.Please take me to this address.
Tähän osoitteeseen, kiitos.Please take me to this address.
Paljonko se maksaa?How much will it cost?
Paljonko se maksaa?How much will it cost?
Pysähdy tähän, kiitos.Stop here, please.
Pysähdy tähän, kiitos.Stop here, please.
Missä on rautatieasema?Where is the station?
Missä on rautatieasema?Where is the station?
Yksi lippu paikkaan …, kiitos.One ticket to …, please.
Yksi lippu paikkaan …, kiitos.One ticket to …, please.
Meneekö tämä bussi lentokentälle?Does this bus go to the airport?
Meneekö tämä bussi lentokentälle?Does this bus go to the airport?
Mikä laituri?Which platform?
Mikä laituri?Which platform?
Missä on lähtöselvitys?Where is the check-in counter?
Missä on lähtöselvitys?Where is the check-in counter?
Missä on lähtöportti?Where is the departure gate?
Missä on lähtöportti?Where is the departure gate?
Matkalaukkuni ei tullut.My luggage has not arrived.
Matkalaukkuni ei tullut.My luggage has not arrived.
Minulla on jatkolento.I have a connecting flight.
Minulla on jatkolento.I have a connecting flight.
Minulla on varaus.I have a reservation.
Minulla on varaus.I have a reservation.
Voinko jättää matkatavarat tänne?Could I leave my luggage here?
Voinko jättää matkatavarat tänne?Could I leave my luggage here?
Avain ei toimi.The key does not work.
Avain ei toimi.The key does not work.
Onko hiljaisempaa huonetta?Is there a quieter room?
Onko hiljaisempaa huonetta?Is there a quieter room?
Mihin aikaan pitää kirjautua ulos?What time is check-out?
Mihin aikaan pitää kirjautua ulos?What time is check-out?
Voisitko näyttää kartalta?Please show me on the map.
Voisitko näyttää kartalta?Please show me on the map.
Voinko kävellä sinne?Can I walk there?
Voinko kävellä sinne?Can I walk there?
Kauanko se kestää?How long does it take?
Kauanko se kestää?How long does it take?
Auta minua, kiitos.Please help me.
Auta minua, kiitos.Please help me.
Soita ambulanssi, kiitos.Please call an ambulance.
Soita ambulanssi, kiitos.Please call an ambulance.
Soita poliisi, kiitos.Please call the police.
Soita poliisi, kiitos.Please call the police.
Tarvitsen lääkärin.I need a doctor.
Tarvitsen lääkärin.I need a doctor.
Missä on apteekki?Where is the pharmacy?
Missä on apteekki?Where is the pharmacy?
Passini on kadonnut.My passport is missing.
Passini on kadonnut.My passport is missing.
Mikä on wifin salasana?What is the Wi-Fi password?
Mikä on wifin salasana?What is the Wi-Fi password?
Saanko ladata puhelinta täällä?May I charge my phone here?
Saanko ladata puhelinta täällä?May I charge my phone here?
Tarvitsen SIM-kortin.I need a SIM card.
Tarvitsen SIM-kortin.I need a SIM card.
Kyllä / eiYes / no
Kyllä / eiYes / no
Vain käteinenCash only
Vain käteinenCash only
Auki / suljettuOpen / closed
Auki / suljettuOpen / closed
Sisäänkäynti / uloskäyntiEntrance / exit
Sisäänkäynti / uloskäyntiEntrance / exit
Vasemmalle / oikealle / suoraanLeft / right / straight ahead
Vasemmalle / oikealle / suoraanLeft / right / straight ahead
Tänään / huomenna / nytToday / tomorrow / now
Tänään / huomenna / nytToday / tomorrow / now
Odota hetki, kiitos.Please wait a moment.
Odota hetki, kiitos.Please wait a moment.
Loppuunmyyty / ei saatavillaSold out / unavailable
Loppuunmyyty / ei saatavillaSold out / unavailable
Kaksi henkilöä.Two people.
Kaksi henkilöä.Two people.
Hiilihapotonta vettä, kiitos.Still water, please.
Hiilihapotonta vettä, kiitos.Still water, please.
Lusikka, kiitos.A spoon, please.
Lusikka, kiitos.A spoon, please.
Voisitko tarkistaa ainesosat?Could you check the ingredients?
Voisitko tarkistaa ainesosat?Could you check the ingredients?
Missä on matkatavaroiden nouto?Where is baggage claim?
Missä on matkatavaroiden nouto?Where is baggage claim?
Mihin aikaan koneeseen nousu alkaa?What time does boarding start?
Mihin aikaan koneeseen nousu alkaa?What time does boarding start?
Meno-paluulippu, kiitos.A return ticket, please.
Meno-paluulippu, kiitos.A return ticket, please.
Pitääkö minun vaihtaa junaa?Do I need to change trains?
Pitääkö minun vaihtaa junaa?Do I need to change trains?
Ei kiitos.No, thank you.
Ei kiitos.No, thank you.
Myöhässä / peruttuDelayed / cancelled
Myöhässä / peruttuDelayed / cancelled
Between the words
Everyday interactions, useful replies, and local context. Practices vary by person and place.
Kiitos
Thanks, and a useful request softenerBrief requests can be polite in Finnish. Use a greeting, a clear request and kiitos. Personal space, punctuality and letting others finish are useful habits; individuals vary.
Kahvi, kiitos.
A short reply or quiet moment does not by itself signal annoyance.
Read the situation
1 / 4 · 0 correctHow can you politely request coffee?
Practice scores last for this visit.Finnish audio is unavailable on this device. All exercises work without audio.