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Basic Finnish for tourists and travelers: Difference between revisions
Basic Finnish for tourists and travelers (view source)
Revision as of 20:28, 22 March 2019
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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. | 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. | ||
Should you bump into someone in the crowd it is good to know the word "'''anteeksi'''". It | Should you bump into someone in the crowd it is good to know the word "'''anteeksi'''". It conveys both "(I'm) sorry" and "excuse me". A slang expression for saying "sorry" that has become so widespread that it can almost be considered proper Finnish is "'''sori'''", pronounced exactly like the English word "sorry". | ||
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. | ||
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* '''[http://www.sompasauna.fi/ Sompasauna]''' has 2 community run saunas by the sea and is free of charge but bringing löyly water (normal tap water) and firewood (available at gas stations) will be appreciated at this community-built and community-run sauna. If the sauna is cold (may occur off-peak hours) you should just heat it yourself. | * '''[http://www.sompasauna.fi/ Sompasauna]''' has 2 community run saunas by the sea and is free of charge but bringing löyly water (normal tap water) and firewood (available at gas stations) will be appreciated at this community-built and community-run sauna. If the sauna is cold (may occur off-peak hours) you should just heat it yourself. | ||
'''Other saunas''' | '''Other saunas in Helsinki''' | ||
* '''[https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/culture/recreation/recreation/saunas/saunas Saunas maintained by the City of Helsinki]''' in the city and also on recreational islands of Helsinki. | * '''[https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/culture/recreation/recreation/saunas/saunas Saunas maintained by the City of Helsinki]''' in the city and also on recreational islands of Helsinki. | ||
* '''[https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/culture/sports/indoor/swimming/swimming-halls Swimming halls maintained by the City of Helsinki]''' - These all include a sauna, many offer multiple saunas and the entry fees are very reasonable. | * '''[https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/culture/sports/indoor/swimming/swimming-halls Swimming halls maintained by the City of Helsinki]''' - These all include a sauna, many offer multiple saunas and the entry fees are very reasonable. | ||
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Now we are ready to form some useful sentences | Now we are ready to form some useful sentences | ||
::* fi."Missä on sauna?" == en."Where is the sauna?" | ::* -> fi."''Missä on sauna?''" == en."''Where is the sauna?''" | ||
::* fi."Missä on pukuhuone?" == en."Where is the dressing room?" | ::* -> fi."''Missä on pukuhuone?''" == en."''Where is the dressing room?''" | ||
::* fi."Missä ovat kaljat?" == en."Where are the beers?" | ::* -> fi."''Missä ovat kaljat?''" == en."''Where are the beers?''" | ||
::* Now we can also form the compound word fi."pukuhuonekaljat" == en."dressing room beers", awesome! | ::* Now we can also form the compound word fi."''pukuhuonekaljat''" == en."''dressing room beers''", awesome! | ||
* fi."'''Tarvitsen'''" == en."[I] need" | * fi."'''Tarvitsen'''" == en."[I] need" | ||
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* fi."'''uimapuvun'''" == en."a swimsuit" | * fi."'''uimapuvun'''" == en."a swimsuit" | ||
Lets apply with what we know so far: | Lets apply with what we know so far: | ||
::* "Tarvitsenko pyyhkeen?" == en."Do I need a towel?" | ::* -> "''Tarvitsenko pyyhkeen?''" == en."''Do I need a towel?''" | ||
::* "Onko kaljaa?" == en."Are there any beers?" | ::* -> "''Onko kaljaa?''" == en."''Are there any beers?''" | ||
=== In the locker room === | === In the locker room === | ||
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* fi."'''päin'''" == en."the direction of" | * fi."'''päin'''" == en."the direction of" | ||
* "Missä päin sauna on?" == en."In which direction the sauna is?". Follow the | * "''Missä päin sauna on?''" == en."''In which direction the sauna is?''". Follow the hand signaled direction. | ||
=== Shower room / bathing area === | === Shower room / bathing area === | ||
* In hotel and restaurant saunas toiletries will be provided by the establishment for the traveler. In private saunas these are also on the house. In other cases bring your own. | * In hotel and restaurant saunas toiletries and a towel will be provided by the establishment for the traveler. In private saunas these are also on the house. In other cases bring your own. | ||
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* fi."'''lujempaa'''" == en."harder" | * fi."'''lujempaa'''" == en."harder" | ||
::* -> fi."Vihdo lujempaa" == en."Whack me harder with your vihta." | ::* -> fi."''Vihdo lujempaa.''" == en."''Whack me harder with your vihta.''" | ||
* fi."'''lisää'''" == en."more [of x]" | * fi."'''lisää'''" == en."more [of x]" | ||
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Lets put that all together, you want more löyly you ask for: | Lets put that all together, you want more löyly you ask for: | ||
::* -> fi."Lisää löylyä." == en."Throw some more water on the stones." | ::* -> fi."''Lisää löylyä.''" == en."''Throw some more water on the stones.''" | ||
::* -> fi."Heitä löylyä" == same thing | ::* -> fi."''Heitä löylyä.''" == same thing | ||
* fi."'''hyvä'''" plural "'''hyvät'''" == en."good" | * fi."'''hyvä'''" plural "'''hyvät'''" == en."good" | ||
::* fi."Hyvät löylyt" == en."Good steams" | ::* fi."''Hyvät löylyt''" == en."''Good steams.''" | ||
* fi."'''Helvetti'''" == en."Hell" | * fi."'''Helvetti'''" == en."Hell" | ||
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* fi."'''kuuma'''" == en."hot" | * fi."'''kuuma'''" == en."hot" | ||
::* -> fi."Helvetti, liian kuuma" == en."Hell, it is too hot in here." | ::* -> fi."''Helvetti, liian kuuma.''" == en."''Hell, it is too hot in here.''" | ||
=== Getting out of the sauna === | === Getting out of the sauna === | ||
* fi."'''mennään'''" == en."lets go" | * fi."'''mennään'''" == en."lets go" | ||
* fi."'''uimaan'''" == en."to swimming" | * fi."'''uimaan'''" == en."to swimming" | ||
::* -> fi."Mennään uimaan" == en."Lets go swimming" | ::* -> fi."''Mennään uimaan!''" == en."''Lets go swimming!''" | ||
* fi.''''-lle''''-suffix == en."for someone/something, to somewhere, to somebody's place" | * fi.''''-lle''''-suffix == en."for someone/something, to somewhere, to somebody's place" | ||
:: -> fi."Mennään kaljalle." == en."Lets go have a beer." | :: -> fi."''Mennään kaljalle.''" == en."''Lets go have a beer.''" | ||
Then we go for the more extreme sauna cool down | Then we go for the more extreme sauna cool down | ||
* fi."'''Hypätään'''" == en."lets jump" | * fi."'''Hypätään'''" == en."lets jump" | ||
* fi."'''avanto'''" == en."ice | * fi."'''avanto'''" == en."hole in the ice" | ||
* fi.''''-on'''' / ''''-ön''''-suffix == en."to inside" | * fi.''''-on'''' / ''''-ön''''-suffix == en."to inside" | ||
::* -> fi."Hypätään avantoon" == en."Lets jump into the ice | ::* -> fi."''Hypätään avantoon!''" == en."''Lets jump into the hole in the ice!''" | ||
* fi."'''kieritään'''" == en."lets roll" | * fi."'''kieritään'''" == en."lets roll" | ||
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* fi.''''-ssa'''' / ''''-ssä''''-suffix == en."in something" | * fi.''''-ssa'''' / ''''-ssä''''-suffix == en."in something" | ||
::* -> fi."Kieritään lumessa!" == en."Lets roll in the snow!" | ::* -> fi."''Kieritään lumessa!''" == en."''Lets roll in the snow!''" | ||
=== After the sauna === | === After the sauna === | ||