When you’re learning Finnish, understanding expressions that describe personality and character can greatly enhance your conversations with native speakers. Let’s explore some common Finnish words and phrases that are used to portray different traits and qualities of people.

Ujo means shy or timid. It’s used to describe someone who tends to feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations.
Hän on todella ujo uusien ihmisten kanssa.

Itsevarma translates to self-confident. This term is perfect for those individuals who carry themselves with assurance and assertiveness.
Johtajamme on hyvin itsevarma ja karismaattinen.

Empaattinen is a Finnish word for empathetic, someone who has the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
Opettaja on erittäin empaattinen ja huolehtivainen.

Avoimuus stands for openness or open-mindedness, a quality of being receptive to new ideas and experiences.
Avoimuus uusille kulttuureille tekee matkustamisesta rikkaamman kokemuksen.

Sisukas is a quintessentially Finnish characteristic, roughly equivalent to gutsy or tenacious. It describes someone with determination and courage, especially when facing adversity.
Vaikka tehtävä vaikutti mahdottomalta, hän oli sisukas ja sai sen tehtyä.

Ystävällinen simply means friendly. This adjective is used for someone who is kind, pleasant, and approachable.
Hän on aina hyvin ystävällinen kaikille asiakkaille.

Huumorintajuinen describes a person with a good sense of humor. This is someone who appreciates, produces, or enjoys humor.
Isäni on todella huumorintajuinen ja saa kaikki nauramaan.

Ahkeruus refers to diligence or industriousness. It’s the quality of being hardworking and persistent.
Ahkeruus on avain menestykseen akateemisilla aloilla.

Luova means creative, relating to someone who has original thoughts and ideas, or who makes or appreciates creative things.
Taiteilija on erittäin luova ja kekseliäs töissään.

Kärsivällinen translates to patient. It’s a characteristic of someone who is able to wait for a long time or deal with difficult people or situations without becoming annoyed.
Kärsivällinen opettaja on arvokas resurssi oppilaille.

Understanding these expressions and incorporating them into your Finnish vocabulary will not only enrich your language skills but also help you better understand the cultural values and interpersonal dynamics in Finland. The Finns value characteristics such as ‘sisu’ (persistence), ’empaattinen’ (empathy), and ‘ahkeruus’ (diligence), which are all integral to the Finnish identity. By using these expressions, you’ll be better equipped to describe the personalities and characters of those around you, making your immersion in the Finnish language and culture both deeper and more authentic.