Finnish slang and everyday language can be a fascinating aspect of the culture to explore. It’s filled with unique expressions and sayings that can give you a deeper understanding of the local mindset and humor. Below are some commonly used Finnish slang words and phrases that will help you sound more like a native speaker.
Moro
“Moro” is a casual greeting, similar to saying “Hi” or “Hello” in English. It is widely used in Tampere, a city in southern Finland, but recognized all over the country.
Moro! Miten menee?
Moi
“Moi” is another informal way to say “Hello” in Finnish. It can be used at any time of the day and is probably one of the most common greetings.
Moi! Nähdään myöhemmin.
Heippa
“Heippa” is a friendly and casual way to say “Goodbye.” It’s a more informal version of “Hei” which also means “Hi.”
Heippa, huomiseen!
Kiva
“Kiva” translates to “nice” or “pleasant.” It can be used to describe situations, objects, or even people.
Onpa kiva paita! Mistä ostit sen?
Jep
“Jep” means “Yes” and is a more casual and sometimes more emphatic way to agree with someone compared to the standard “kyllä.”
Jep, se on todella hyvä idea!
Eikä
“Eikä” is used to strongly disagree with someone. It translates to “No way” or “Not at all.”
Eikä ole totta!
Sori
“Sori” is a direct borrowing from the English “sorry,” and is used in the same contexts to apologize or express regret.
Sori, en tarkoittanut sitä.
Heittää läppää
“Heittää läppää” means “to joke around.” It’s used when someone is not being serious.
Älä ota vakavasti, mä vaan heitän läppää.
Mesta
“Mesta” is a slang term for “place” or “spot.” It can refer to someone’s house, a favorite restaurant, or any usual hangout spot.
Tavataanko sun mestassa?
Bisnes
“Bisnes” is a loanword from English and means “business.” It is often used in the context of work and professional life.
Bisnes ensin, sitten huvi.
Duuni
“Duuni” refers to “work” or “job.” It’s a more casual term compared to the formal “työ.”
Onko sulla uusi duuni?
Hessu
“Hessu” is a nickname for a goofy or clumsy person. It’s derived from the name of the Disney character Goofy, who is called “Hessu Hopo” in Finnish.
Älä ole sellainen hessu!
Mutsi
“Mutsi” is a colloquial term for “mother,” akin to “mom” or “mum.”
Mutsi soitti mulle eilen.
Faija
“Faija” is a slang term for “father,” similar to “dad” or “pop.”
Faija osti mulle uuden pyörän.
Tsennaa
“Tsennaa” means “check out” or “look.” It’s used to draw attention to something interesting or noteworthy.
Tsennaa tää uusi video!
Snadi
“Snadi” means “small” or “little,” often used to describe something cute or minimal.
Voisitko antaa mulle snadin palan?
Leffa
“Leffa” is a casual word for “movie.” It’s used more frequently among younger generations.
Mennäänkö katsomaan leffaa tänään?
Understanding and using these slang terms can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and naturally in Finnish. Each term provides a glimpse into the cultural nuances that make Finnish a rich and vibrant language.
