Basic Finnish for tourists and travelers: Difference between revisions

+ "kiitti" and "dänks" are slang expressions for "Thanks"
(Moved Helsinki Sauna Day to == Special times in the sauna calendar ==)
(+ "kiitti" and "dänks" are slang expressions for "Thanks")
Line 6: Line 6:
::* -> fi."'''Tervetuloa'''" == en."of healthy coming, to welcome"
::* -> fi."'''Tervetuloa'''" == en."of healthy coming, to welcome"


The way to thank people in Finnish is "'''Kiitos'''" which literally translates to "a thank" (plural is ''''kiitoksia'''' and is a slightly more thanking expression). This is the most common way to thank a person in Finnish.  
The way to thank people in Finnish is "'''Kiitos'''" which literally translates to "a thank" (plural is ''''kiitoksia'''' and is a slightly more thanking expression). This is the most common way to thank a person in Finnish. '''Kiitti''' is a casual slang-like way to say thanks, but it is also the the 3rd person singular imperfect i.e. "S/he thanked" in Finnish proper. Another slang way to express thanks is to say '''dänks''', an obvious loan from English.


Vast majority of Finns will switch to English if they encounter foreigners trying to apply less than perfect Finnish. This does not mean they do not appreciate the effort to try to learn some command of Finnish and to apply it but Finns just figure out the foreigners will not bother to learn the language spoken only by some 5 mln people. Assumption of English being the highest in common language is due to desire to be hospitable towards the non-native.
Vast majority of Finns will switch to English if they encounter foreigners trying to apply less than perfect Finnish. This does not mean they do not appreciate the effort to try to learn some command of Finnish and to apply it but Finns just figure out the foreigners will not bother to learn the language spoken only by some 5 mln people. Assumption of English being the highest in common language is due to desire to be hospitable towards the non-native.