Basic Words

1. Kyllä

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

   Grammar Note

   "Joo" is the colloquial short form

2. Ei

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Olkaa hyvä

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Finnish has no word for "please"; polite requests use the conditional, e.g. "Saisinko..."

4. Kiitos

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   The basic thanks; "Kiitos paljon" intensifies it

5. Anteeksi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   Works both to get attention and to apologise

6. Olen pahoillani

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   A full apology, heavier than "Anteeksi"

7. Ei se mitään

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. En ymmärrä

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Ymmärrän

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Olen valmis

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Odottakaa, kiitos

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

    Grammar Note

    The polite plural imperative; use "Odota" with friends

12. Hetki vain

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Yksi aikuinen, kiitos

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Minulla ei ole varausta

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    Finnish expresses possession with "minulla on" — literally "on me there is"

15. Minulla on varaus

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Auttakaa minua

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Apua!"

17. Vielä kerran, kiitos

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Puhukaa hitaasti, kiitos

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Puhun vähän suomea

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    Say it early and people will slow down

20. Puhutteko englantia?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    The polite plural form — use it with strangers

21. tämä

    This

    Usage

    Point at something within reach to say "this" — the workhorse word for ordering and shopping

    Grammar Note

    Refers to something near the speaker; "this one, please" is "Tämä, kiitos"

22. se

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Refers to something near the listener or already mentioned

    Grammar Note

    "Se" means "it/that"; in colloquial Finnish it is also used of people (he/she)

23. tuo

    That over there

    Usage

    Refers to something further away — useful for ordering across a display counter

    Grammar Note

    Finnish has a three-way set: tämä (here), se (by you), tuo (over there). Note "tuo" is also the imperative of tuoda (to bring)

24. täällä

    Here

    Usage

    Indicates where you are; "drop me here" in a taxi is "Tähän, kiitos"

25. siellä

    There

    Usage

    Indicates a place near the listener or one already mentioned

26. tuolla

    Over there

    Usage

    Indicates a visible place further off; use it while pointing when giving directions

27. minä

    I / me

    Usage

    Point to yourself with this; it is the subject pronoun "I"

    Grammar Note

    The standard written form; in speech it is almost always shortened to "mä", but the card shows the written form

28. sinä

    You

    Usage

    Point at the other person with this

    Grammar Note

    The standard written form (spoken: "sä"); with strangers or elders the polite plural "te" is used instead

29. yhdessä

    Together

    Usage

    Signals that you are together — same table, same bill, travelling as a group

30. Riittää

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show this to stop someone serving or pouring more

    Grammar Note

    Third-person form of riittää (to suffice); softened as "Kiitos, riittää" (thanks, that's enough)

31. heti

    Right now

    Usage

    Add this to convey urgency; "a doctor right now" is "Lääkäri heti"

32. Yksi henkilö

    One person

    Usage

    Show this to state a party size at a restaurant or a ticket count

33. Kaksi henkilöä

    Two people

    Usage

    Show this to ask for a table or tickets for two

    Grammar Note

    Numerals above one take the partitive, so the noun becomes "henkilöä"

34. Kolme henkilöä

    Three people

    Usage

    Show this to ask for a table or tickets for three

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