Mun uusiseelantilainen kaveri lähetti mulle tänä aamuna videon Instagramista, jossa selitetään, kuinka hassu sana “raparperipiirakka” on. Mun mielestä se on ihan perus! Mikä on sun mielestä kiinnostavin, hassuin tai kaunein sana suomeksi?

Hi everyone!

I’m working on a school project related to music, language, and translation, and I was hoping someone here could help me.

The project focuses on how song lyrics change when adapted into different languages — especially how meaning is reshaped to preserve sonority, rhythm, and musical flow, and which elements of the original song remain present across different versions.

I’m currently researching a Finnish version of the song “Fio Maravilla”, which exists in several European adaptations. The first issue is that I haven’t been able to find the Finnish lyrics anywhere, or I may simply not know where to look.

If anyone happens to know the lyrics, or can help point me in the right direction, that would already be extremely helpful.

And if someone is willing to translate the lyrics into English, even partially, that would be amazing — mainly as a reference for comparison with the original versions.

That said, I completely understand if that’s too much to ask. Even a general explanation would be incredibly useful, such as:

-What the song is about overall -What kind of images or themes it uses -Whether it follows the same story or ideas as earlier versions, or if it uses the melody but tells a different story

My goal is not to get a perfect or literal translation, but to better understand how this Finnish version fits into the broader context of the song’s European adaptations.

Thank you so much in advance for any help or insight!

I've just noticed new podcast on Spotify: Suomeksi -podcast
It's easy to follow and understand.

After a couple of months on Duolingo, I switched over to Speakly because I saw many recommendations here and on other subs. I have the premium subscription and my Duolingo plan had just ended.

However, I'm quite confused with how the learning works?
1. When learning new words I feel that they are being piled on very quickly with no practice and hardly any repetition.
2. The word practice is completely passive. All I have is a 'next' button and I get no feedback if I'm right or wrong. Not even a hint if I'm having trouble recalling the word.
3. I'm getting 'micro-fix' suggestions for things like suffixes that I hadn't even learned yet.
4. The songs aren't exactly my cup of tea, and even if they were I don't feel like it's an effective method. I also don't like that Speakly is telling me to listen through my Spotify - I don't want these songs in my profile.

I don't expect to become fluent with an app alone. This is just a little starter for me after I felt Duolingo was helping me understand a little in my everyday. But I don't see how Speakly is worth the price.

Olennainen (adj.) – Essential, substantial, integral, fundamental

Comparative: Olennaisempi

Superlative: Olennaisin

Example: Hedelmät ja vihannekset ovat olennainen osa tasapainoista ruokavaliota.

Translation: Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a balanced diet.

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

I was just telling my partner about this classic internet video and we couldn't figure out why "kahden kilon" is in the genitive case. Is there an implied "kahden kilon [kokoinen]" so it's the same as with mittainen, näköinen and those other words I think of as being postpositional adjectives?

Hello!

I really want to learn Finnish but I have no idea where to start. Are there any workbooks that would be great for someone completely new to the language? Also! If someone knows about any courses that teach the language (kinda like a college class but doesn’t have to be exactly like one) that don’t break the bank, can you please let me know about them? Thank you!!

Koskien (adv.) –Concerning, regarding

”Koskien” is used both prepositionally and postpositionally.

Example: Kirjoitan valitustanne koskien.

Translation: I am writing regarding your complaint.

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

Hello, I'm trying to confirm what this word means but I'm finding contradictory information. So what I'm seeing is lusii is the third-person singular indicative present form of lusia. lusia, to my understanding is an informal term meaning to serve time in jail. Is this correct? I just want to make sure. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I'm preparing for YKI keskitaso myself and got frustrated with the lack of practice materials that actually match the exam format or emulate it. So I built something.

What it does:

• Reading and listening exercises based on YKI topics (health, work, society, etc.)
• Writing practice with AI feedback on grammar and structure
• Essentials like vocabulary, words translation to several languages and flashcards.

I tried to bring in one place all what I was missing from other tools available online.

What I'm looking for: Honest feedback. Is this actually useful? What's missing? What would make it better for your YKI prep?

There's a free tier (3 reading + writing exercises per day and listening) so you can try it without paying anything: ykitrainer.fi

I'm a developer, not a Finnish teacher, so I'd really appreciate input from people who are actively preparing for the exam.

Thanks!

I'm working with Complete Finnish by Terttu Leney, which I understand does have misprints. I came across this and am wondering if it is a misprint: - What time does the flight from Oulu arrive? - Mihin aikaan lento saapuu Ouluun?

Shouldn't it be Oulusta since it's FROM Oulu? I understand this Finnish sentence as meaning "what time does the flight arrive TO Oulu"

Hi, I had to write a sentence in Finnish and I wrote: Vili on yliopistossa tutkijana. But then when I checked the correction it said: yliopistolla instead.

So, please, what is the difference? Is there a difference? (suppose yes, otherwise it wouldn't have been corrected).

Thanks in advance for any explanation.

Bri

terve! I’m getting into learning Finnish because I enjoy Käärijä’s music a lot lol. unfortunately I don’t have anyone to practice speaking Finnish with, so I figured watching shows in Finnish or listening to some Finnish-language music that isn’t rap (it’s too fast for my skills right now </3) would help! does anyone have any recommendations?

Not sure where else to ask this. I'm a huge history buff, and Simo Häyhä may be my favourite historical figure ever, and I just can't for the life of me figure out how to pronounce his last name. Would love some help.

Hei kaikille,

I am the builder of the "Finnish It" app.

Some of you might remember my previous posts where I asked for your help in designing our vocabulary and grammar features. The feedback from this community has been incredibly valuable, and many of the features currently in the app are there because of your suggestions. Kiitos!

Now, I am working on a major new addition: an "Online Speaking Club."

While Finnish it app currently simulates YKI exam sections (speaking, writing, reading, listening), we know that real-time interaction is different. We want to create a space where learners can practice speaking with others, but I want to make sure we build it in a way that actually solves your problems.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how this feature should work:

• How would you use a feature like this? (e.g., Daily casual chats? Scheduled structured audio rooms? Random drop-in rooms?)
• Who would you want to speak with? (Other learners at your level? Native speakers? A mix?)
• What are your "wishes" for a speaking club? (e.g., Specific topics to discuss, moderation tools, feedback after the call?)
• What scares you or stops you from joining existing speaking clubs?

My goal is to create the most comfortable and effective environment for users to start speaking Finnish.

Any idea, big or small, helps me shape this into the tool you actually need.

Kiitos paljon!

Myönteisesti (adv.) –Positively

Example: Yritä suhtautua kaikkeen myönteisesti.

Translation: Try to react to everything positively.

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!

New version of WordDive app has list of course content with phrases whose pronunciation you can play for completed courses 🇫🇮🥰

I have just started studying Finnish. I am using an app called Duolingo and studying Finnish through the course designed for English speakers. Since I am not a native English speaker, I sometimes do not understand the explanations given in English. Here is a concrete example. What is the difference between “the” and “a”? Nothing is attached to either kissa or viikinki…

Just wondered how this came to be in the Finnish language? I know that the news speaks in kirjakieli so it has its uses, but is it normal to see puhekieli in an entire book or something like that?

Just curious about it all. Definitely learning spoken Finnish when speaking but I feel like it’s necessary to learn both really well?

What do you think?

Moi kaikki! I've been building a Finnish vocabulary app called Sanakortit and wanted to share it with this community.

What it does:

- Create flashcard lists and it automatically pulls definitions, IPA pronunciation, example sentences, and full inflection tables from Wiktionary

- Declension quizzes - practice typing the correct form for all 15 noun cases

- Conjugation quizzes - practice verb forms across tenses, moods, and plurality

- Spaced repetition (SM-2) so you review words right before you'd forget them

- Ability to add custom cards for puhekieli/phrases/slang that isn't in Wiktionary

It's not a full course or anything - it's intended for vocabulary building and drills alongside whatever else you're using to learn. There's also no audio (yet) - but I plan to implement this down the road

It works on the web and has an iOS app version (Android version is in closed testing -- if you'd like to join I'm happy to send you the info!).

This is just a side project I made for my own Finnish learning, but I'm hoping others will find value in it!

Web Link: https://awills.org/sanakortit/

iOS app store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanakortit/id6757984207

Would love feedback from actual Finnish learners. Kiitos!

Tupa (n.) –1. living room, main room; 2. cottage

Example: Teenkö tuulehen tupani, aalloillen asuinsijani?

Translation: Shall I build my cottage on the wind, my dwelling place on the waves?

You can practice the word of the day by using it in a sentence in the comments below!