last update:Aug132019November 11, 2014August 13, 2019Go tocommentsby Santiago H

Most frequent Finnish words

Posted in Curiosities, Finnish language

It is widely known that the most important thing for learning a language is the method you use. A method that will take you the farthest in the minimum amount of time is learning the most frequent words of a language. To help with that for the Finnish language, here it comes: the list with the most frequent Finnish words.

This list was compiled by Finnish translator and teacher Ursula Ojanen. Amongst other things, she translated the Kalevala and many works of the Finnish author Arto Paasilinna into Spanish. She was also the main force behind the teaching of Finnish in Madrid, where she has taught the language since around the year 1980.

Without further delay…

The most frequently used words of the Finnish language

If you detect some mistakes (it could happen as the original was in Spanish), please let me know in the comments and I will quickly correct them.

1. ol/la: to be
2. ja: and
3. se: it
4. ei: no
5. joka: which
6. hän: he, she
7. että: that
8. tämä: this
9. mutta: but
10. saa/da: must, have to11. kun: when
12. niin: so
13. kuin: what
14. tul/la: come
15. minä: I
16. voi/da: can
17. kaikki: all
18. ne: they/them/those
19. me: we
20. myös: too

21. he: they
22. aika: time, enough
23. toinen: other, second
24. jo: already
25. nyt: now
26. vain: only
27. suuri: big
28. vuosi: year
29. pitä/ä: keep
30. teh/dä: to do

31. sitten: then
32. mikä: what
33. tai: or
34. muu: other
35. sano/a: to say
36. sinä: you
37. hyvä: good
38. anta/a: to give
39. asia: thing, affair
40. kuitenkin: however

41. vielä: yet
42. itse: (my, your…) self
43. uusi: new
44. ihminen: man (human being)
45. maa: country, land
46. oma: own, private
47. men/nä: to go
48. näh/dä: to see
49. mies: man (male)
50. jos: if (conditional)

51. päivä: day
52. nämä: these
53. moni: several, many
54. mitä: what
55. suomi/Suomi: Finnish/Finland
56. otta/a: to take
57. sekä: and (thus)
58. sillä: because
59. sama: same
60. vaikka: even though

 61. kaksi: two
62. alka/a: to start
63. paljon: many
64. lähte/ä: to leave
65. tässä: here
66. lapsi: child
67. pieni: little
68. mieli: the mind
69. käy/dä: to go, to visit
70. tietä/ä: to know71. osa: part, part of
72. jää/dä: to stay, to remain
73. kerto/a: to count
74. eräs: one, a (article)
75. poika: boy, son
76. yksi: one
77. työ: work
78. käyttä/ä: to use
79. kuulu/a: to belong, to include
80. jokin: some, one of the

81. pääs/tä: to reach
82. käsi: hand
83. näin: thus, this way
84. hyvin: good, very
85. vanha: old
86. koko: size, the whole
87. jälkeen: after, after the
88. kanssa: with
89. aina: always
90. silloin: then

91. ensimmäinen: first
92. tapa: way
93. sana: word
94. vaan: but
95. tunte/a: to know, to feel
96. juuri: just
97. kirja: book
98. nuori: young
99. tie: way, road
100. katso/a: to look

101. mukaan: according to, by
102. suoritta/a: to perform
103. sellainen: such
104. tapahtu/a: to happen
105. maini/ta: to mention
106. eri: different
107. esittä/ä: to present
108. jumala: god
109. kysymys: question
110. ennen: before

111. koska: why
112. siis: therefore
113. siellä: there
114. saatta/a: to accompany
115. joutua: need to be
116. puoli: half
117. tarvi/ta: to need
118. kuva: image
119. elämä: life
120. tällainen: such

What is your favorite Finnish word in the list of the most common words? Is there one you know you use a lot but that is not in the list? Share it in the comments.

Share:

Topics: Curiosities, Finnish language | Leave your comment! | Print This Post Print This Post


last update:Aug132019November 7, 2014August 13, 20192Commentsby Santiago H

Helsinki Cathedral – the white jewel of Helsinki

Posted in Finland Tourism, Helsinki

If you were asked to close your eyes and to tell the first image that comes to mind about Helsinki, you’d probably say that it is the Helsinki Cathedral. At least this is what it happens to me (I also think about the stone giants at the main train station, though). It is the most recognizable spot of the city.

Helsinki Cathedral: the white cathedral

The Cathedral in summer.

And in winter.

The Helsinki Cathedral

Since 1852, when the construction of the Helsinki Cathedral was over, this building has been imposing its beauty over the Senate Square of Helsinki, right in the middle of the city (map). Its facade can be seen in many photos and during all kinds of media coverage, because many events and protests take place in front of it.

The cathedral originally was build as a tribute to the Tzar Nicholas I of Russia, because for many years Finland was part of Russia and was known as the Great Duchy of Finland. The man to design such an iconic piece was Carl Ludvig Engel, who based its design on the St. Isaac Cathedral of Saint Petersburg, that you can see in this photo:

St Isaac Cathedral of Saint Petersburg
The Helsinki Cathedral was modeled after this one. I think it looks better in white.

Since it was a tribute to the Tsar, the Helsinki Cathedral was inaugurated with the name of Saint Nicholas Cathedral. This, of course, changed after Finland became independent and now it is known simply as Helsingin tuomiokirkko. The architect that succeeded Engel, named Lohrmann, added four little domes that make the cathedral look even more like the one in St. Petersburg.

The cathedral’s style is neoclassic and follows the architecture design of a Greek Cross (its four arms are identically long). The height of the Helsinki Cathedral is 62 meters (203 feet), it has an organ, and it hosts masses and weddings.

Columns of the Helsinki Cathedral

Stairs of the white Helsinki Catedral
Myself, stepping up the stairs.

The Cathedral of Helsinki

A while ago, while re-visiting some photos from Finland, I found some pictures of the Helsinki Cathedral from the inside. That is something not everyone gets to see, either for lack of time, lack of will to climb up the stairs, or for not being interested in the Lutheran faith.

That was the reason I remembered that there was no post about this Helsinki icon on Big in Finland yet. And since maybe not so many people might have seen it from the inside, I was encouraged to write this post.

The most interesting thing about the interior of the white Helsinki Cathedral is its almost complete lack of ornaments. Lutherans were opposed to the worshipping of saints, since they rejected the Catholic notion that saints and virgins were closer to God than others. This makes the Lutheran cathedrals in general more sober than their Catholic counterparts in places like Spain or Italy, that have much more decoration, ornaments and history.

The Helsinki Cathedral has an organ made in 1967 with 57 stops. It is quite beautiful and resembles the first organ installed in the cathedral, shortly after its construction. You can hear and see it in this video.

Altar of the Helsinki Cathedral
The cathedral’s altar is very sober.

The Helsinki Cathedral from the inside
Inside the White Cathedral.

In any case the Helsinki Cathedral is a must-see when you travel to Helsinki, and entering it costs nothing, so we can add it to our list of low-cost (or free) activities in Helsinki. Its opening hours are from 9h to 18h every day, and for the months of Summer in Finland, until 24h.

Do you also think about the Helsinki Cathedral as the iconic image of Helsinki? What do you think of first if not?

Share:

Topics: Finland Tourism, Helsinki | 2 comments | Print This Post Print This Post


last update:Apr162021October 24, 2014April 16, 20212Commentsby Santiago H

Tinder in Finland: women and men

Posted in Curiosities, Finnish people

One of the best websites I discovered this year was Tinder na Suecia. The story goes like this: a Spanish man from Galicia went to Sweden, and his friends back at home asked him how the girls on Tinder (the app for meeting people available on iPhone and Android) in the Nordic and Scandinavian countries are. Instead of describing them, he went the smart way: he made screenshots. Genius.

Ever since I saw that website I thought: I should do the same for Finland. And this is what I bring you in this post.

What is Tinder?

For those who don’t know this app, this is what it does: when you want to meet people from the opposite (or same) sex, you can create a profile on Tinder. After that, you choose the people you are interested in and how far away from your location they can be. Age-range and gender are additional settings you can tweak. The app then starts showing you profiles that match your settings, and you can say if you like what you see or not.

I saw you on Tinder
Sometimes you see someone on the street and you think “I have seen this person on Tinder”. Source (CC: by)

I find this idea brilliant in terms of how it solves certain problems.

Meeting people in parties or events can be complicated. Gathering the courage (if you are shy or are not used to it) to start a conversation with a stranger, talking to someone you are not sure is available or is looking for the same things as you, the possibility of rejection… many things that can be uncomfortable. Tinder has simplified these problems in a brilliant way.

Tinder shows you people that you can assumeare interested in meeting people, and signaling that you like that person (from his or her photos and the optional personal description) is as easy as saying “yes” or “no”. If two people chose “yes” about each other then – and only then – they can chat with each other and the rest is up to them. Simple and without any of the complications mentioned above.

I haven’t used the app myself, but I know many people who use it regularly. I think if there comes the day that I need an online tool to meet a lady, Tinder will be the one I use.

If someone is interested in a Tinder-like app for gay people, the most popular equivalent is called Grinder, although you can use Tinder as well.

Some Finnish ladies.

Tinder in Finland

Following the lead of Tinder Na Suecia, here comes the Finnish version, gathered with the help of Big in Finland’s friend and collaborator @Yprum.

Unlike the site about Sweden, I preferred to remove names and descriptions to enhance privacy. If someone recognizes themselves in these photos and wants them taken down, I’ll do it promptly: send me an e-mail through our contact form.

These are the settings we chose in our search: profiles for men and women situated 50km around Yprum.

Tinder in Finland

Let’s start with the Finnish girls. If you want to go directly to the “men’s section”, just click here.

Tinder in Finland: women

A couple of things before starting off: You will see many Finnish women with dark hair. Although in Finland there are plenty of blondes, they also like to dye their hair black.

You can also see the traditional cap that Finns wear during Vappu in some pictures.

Tinder in Finland: men

Is Tinder better for you in Finland or in Sweden? How good looking do you think the Finnish men and women that are featured in this post are? If we talk about other countries, I got some reports that claim that in Spain it doesn’t work that well and that it works great in Berlin because there is all kinds of people (thus, making your type easier to find).

Share:

Topics: Curiosities, Finnish people | 2 comments | Print This Post Print This Post


last update:Oct092019September 30, 2014October 9, 20194Commentsby Santiago H

Most popular Finnish names for girls and boys

Posted in Finnish language, Finnish people

These days, giving a Finnish name to your newborn girl or boy is an option as good as any. The days when kids could only be named after a saint are long gone. Of course when we talk about giving your babies Finnish names we could also propose to you names from any other country – but we are Big in Finland.

In this post we talk about the Finnish names that parents in Finland give their babies these days. We will only talk about the most popular Finnish names.

A name tag
Hello, my name is… Source (CC: by-sa)

Finnish names and surnames

Talking about the meaning of Finnish names is something we have yet to do on this English version of the blog. Another to-do is talking about why most of Finnish surnames end in -nen and where this comes from. In your country there probably is also a suffix is at the end of many surnames like “-mann” in German or “-ez” in Spanish.

Anyways, my favorite Finnish name is – and will always be – Mette Mannonen, like the Finnish weather anchorwoman. In Spanish it sounds funny because it sounds really close to the expression “meter mano”. What this expression means… I will better not reveal here.

The most popular Finnish names for girls and boys (or men and women)

The Civil Registry of Finland compiles, among many other things, the most popular names that Finnish parents give to their children. They keep an annual list here, and they divide the entries between names that parents who speak the Finnish language give their children and names that parents that speak Swedish give.

The last year available is 2013 (you can check other years on the link above) and the names that Finnish speaking parents give their children are:

Finnish names for boys:

  1. Juhani
  2. Johannes
  3. Olavi
  4. Mikael
  5. Onni

Juhani: the most popular of the Finnish names for boys
The Finnish name most used for boys on 2013: Juhani. Source (CC: by-sa).

Finnish names for girls:

  1. Maria
  2. Sofia
  3. Emilia
  4. Olivia
  5. Aino

Some finnish girls.

If you prefer, instead of the year-by-year data (the first time I checked this list was in 2012 and there have been quite a lot of changes to the top 5) there is a second website from the government that lists the most popular names by decade and in total. This list makes no disctintion between languages.

The all-time top 3 male Finnish names for boys since the registry exists are Juhani, Johannes and Olavi. The most popular female names are Maria, Helena and Johanna.

Which Finnish name is your favorite?

Share:

Topics: Finnish language, Finnish people | 4 comments | Print This Post Print This Post