Learn Finnish

How to learn Finnish in 10 steps?

1. Learn the alphabet and the pronunciation of sounds. Start by learning the Finnish alphabet and the pronunciation of the letters. It will help you to read and pronounce the Finnish words correctly.

2. Learn basic vocabulary. Start by learning common words and phrases that you can use in everyday conversation. Mastering the specific vocabulary of this language will help you understand the words you hear or see written.

3. Practice speaking. One of the best ways to learn a language is to listen to native speakers speak it. Watch YouTube videos, movies and TV shows. Then repeat the words and phrases to improve your pronunciation. Even talking only with yourself, this exercise practiced regularly will make you progress in a spectacular way (we have created a unique tool dedicated to this training).

4. Learn the basics of grammar. Like all languages, Finnish has its own grammatical rules. Learn the basics of Finnish grammar, such as verbs, nouns, articles and pronouns. It will help you to build simple correct sentences in Finnish.

5. Find a conversation partner. Practice speaking with native speakers or with other learners. Use the words and phrases you have learned to introduce yourself, talk about your interests, ask questions, etc. The more you practice, the more you will improve your understanding and expression.

6.Read in Finnish.Read books, newspapers and magazines in Finnish to help you understand the language better.

7. Find the right educational resources. There are many books, online courses, apps, and websites that can help you learn Finnish. Choose the resources that suit you and that seem adapted to your level and your objectives.

8. Join a language course with a teacher. Taking a course with a qualified teacher can help you learn the language faster. There are many sites that allow you to find qualified teachers.

9. Anticipate periods of stagnation. After a few months, you will feel like you are not making any more progress: there are always periods when progress is rapid and visible, followed by periods when progress is no longer noticeable. The best way to get through these difficult times is to continue to improve by diversifying your sources of learning.

10. Be regular and consistent. It's better to spend a few minutes a day training than an hour once a week. Learning a new language can take time and requires patience, but if you persevere, you will eventually achieve your goal of mastering Finnish. Keep studying and practicing to improve your skills and achieve your learning goals. And never lose sight of this: fun is the best engine for any learning.

How to learn Finnish by yourself? Start with an easy and free online course!

We have adopted an objective and efficient approach to learn how to speak a language easily and quickly: we suggest you to start by memorizing words, phrases and practical expressions that you can use in everyday life and that will be useful when traveling.
Getting used to pronounce words out loud, numbers for instance, is an easy exercise that you can practice often and at anytime throughout the day.
It will help you to get used to the sounds of your chosen language and thus make it more familiar.
And once your holidays have begun in Helsinki, Rovaniemi or another Finnish city, you will be surprised how familiar and easy to understand it will seem.
Furthermore, using a pocket dictionary is always useful, particularly during a trip. It enables you to find the translation of new words and enrich your vocabulary.

Why speak Finnish while traveling?

A key destination of Northern Europe, often ranked among the leading countries in terms of quality of life and education, Finland is a charming destination for both tourism and business. After all, it is a Northic country which has given us big companies like Nokia and Rautaruukki, and many successful apps like Angry Birds and Clash of Clans. One of the largest countries in the European Union, the Finnish territory is made up of lakes, mountains and islands which create stunning landscapes. Finland also has the reputation of having the best places to contemplate the northern lights - which attract tourists from all over the world. The cultural heritage of the country is also major attraction, and it is hard not to fall in love with its traditions, such as the sauna - exported all over the world - its most vivid symbol. 
The internationally renowned music scene is home to many rock and metal artists including Stratovarius, Nightwish and Sonata Arctica. Finnish cinema is also recognized, with famous directors such as Aki Kaurismäki and Renny Harlin. 

Make a success of your stay in Finland

Whether you are going to spend a few days with friends for a leisure trip or if you are on a business trip, nothing will be more useful to you than to be able to slip a few words in the language of your interlocutors, who will appreciate your effort and will be certainly more willing to help.

How to succeed in having good pronunciation within a week to a month?

Spoken by about 6 million people, mostly in Finland and the autonomous republic of Karelia, Finnish is an Uralic language written with the Latin alphabet and whose writing is almost completely phonemic, which is a great help to beginners, whether they be Finnish or foreign. 
Among the curiosities of the language there is the assimilation of W to V; the letters Å, Ä and Ö are considered separate and not variants of A and O; and the fact that a double character means a long vowel or a geminate consonant. 
Here are some examples and tips for the correct pronunciation of sounds
The R: always rolled. 
The Ä: open as in the A of the English word "cat". 
E: pronounced like a French É.
E: pronounced like a French É.

The Finnish alphabet

The Finnish alphabet consists of 29 letters, including 8 vowels and 21 consonants. The letters of the Finnish alphabet are:

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Å, Ä, Ö. The letters Å, Ä and Ö are unusual vowels that only exist in languages spoken in northern European countries. These letters are very important in this language, as they give it unique sounds and allow some words to be written that cannot be written otherwise.

On our site you can listen to the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, with examples for each letter.

We invite you to listen to the pronunciation of the letters by clicking on the following link: Finish alphabet with audio.