Greetings

1. Hyvää päivää

   Good day

   Usage

   Polite greeting used in formal situations and with strangers

   Grammar Note

   Finnish greetings use partitive case. Hei is the most common informal greeting

2. Hei

   Hi / Hello

   Usage

   The most commonly used greeting, suitable for any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Swedish, used exactly like English "Hi"

3. Hyvää huomenta

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. "Huomenta" alone is also common

   Grammar Note

   Finnish greetings literally mean "good [time of day]" using the partitive case

4. Hyvää iltaa

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting used after sunset

   Grammar Note

   Ilta means "evening/night", used in partitive form for greetings

5. Näkemiin

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Polite farewell, suitable for formal or semi-formal situations

   Grammar Note

   Illative form meaning "until we see each other again". Hei hei and Moi are informal

6. Kiitos

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most basic expression of thanks, usable in any situation

   Grammar Note

   One of the most essential Finnish words. Kiitos paljon means "thank you very much"

7. Anteeksi

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Used to get attention or to apologize, very versatile

   Grammar Note

   Derived from "antaa anteeksi" (to forgive). For deeper apologies: Olen pahoillani

8. Puhutko englantia?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Essential phrase for overcoming language barriers; English is widely spoken in Finland

   Grammar Note

   -ko suffix makes a yes/no question. Englantia is partitive ("some English")

9. Mitä kuuluu?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Greeting for acquaintances; typical reply is Hyvää, kiitos (Good, thanks)

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what is being heard?" — an idiomatic Finnish expression for "how are you?"

10. Tervetuloa

    Welcome

    Usage

    Used to welcome guests or visitors, commonly heard in hotels and shops

    Grammar Note

    Literally "healthy coming". Also seen on welcome signs across Finland

11. Missä on vessa?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask for the location of the toilet in public places or restaurants

    Grammar Note

    "Missä" uses the inessive case (-ssä) to mean "where (at)". "WC" and "käymälä" are also used

12. En osaa suomea

    I can't speak Finnish

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Finnish

    Grammar Note

    "Osata" means to know how. "En osaa" = I can't/don't know how. "Suomea" is the partitive of "suomi"

13. Tulen vielä uudelleen.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. Minulla oli tosi hauskaa.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. Kiitos, nähdään!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. Hyvää yötä.

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. Lähden nyt.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. Tulin takaisin.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging; Finnish has no fixed "I'm home" formula, literally "I came back"

19. Minun täytyy nyt lähteä.

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. Ei kestä.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

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