Learning Finnish can be an exciting and rewarding journey, especially when you reach the B1 level, where you can start having more complex conversations and understand a variety of topics. To help you on this path, we have compiled a list of 50 essential words that every B1 Finnish learner should know. These words will aid you in everyday conversations, help you understand spoken and written Finnish better, and allow you to express yourself more clearly. Let’s dive into these essential Finnish words and explore their meanings and usage.

1. Terve (Hello)

One of the first words you will need in any language is a greeting. In Finnish, “terve” is a common way to say “hello.” It’s informal and can be used with friends, family, and even in casual settings.

2. Kiitos (Thank you)

Gratitude is an important part of any language. “Kiitos” means “thank you” and is used frequently in everyday interactions.

3. Ole hyvä (You’re welcome)

When someone thanks you, respond with “ole hyvä,” which means “you’re welcome.” It’s a polite and essential phrase in Finnish.

4. Kyllä (Yes)

Affirmation is simple with “kyllä,” which means “yes.” You’ll use this word frequently in conversations.

5. Ei (No)

To decline or disagree, use “ei,” which means “no.” It’s straightforward and easy to remember.

6. Anteeksi (Sorry/Excuse me)

“Anteeksi” is a versatile word that can mean both “sorry” and “excuse me.” It’s useful in a variety of situations, from apologizing to getting someone’s attention.

7. Hyvää huomenta (Good morning)

Start your day right with “hyvää huomenta,” which means “good morning.” It’s a friendly way to greet someone at the beginning of the day.

8. Hyvää päivää (Good day)

“Hyvää päivää” is used to greet someone during the daytime. It’s a bit more formal than “terve” but still commonly used.

9. Hyvää iltaa (Good evening)

In the evening, greet people with “hyvää iltaa,” which means “good evening.” It’s a pleasant way to acknowledge someone later in the day.

10. Hyvää yötä (Good night)

Before heading to bed, say “hyvää yötä,” which means “good night.” It’s a polite and warm way to say goodbye for the night.

11. Minä (I)

Understanding pronouns is crucial. “Minä” means “I” and is used to refer to yourself.

12. Sinä (You)

“Sinä” means “you” in the singular form. It’s used when speaking directly to one person.

13. Hän (He/She)

“Hän” is a gender-neutral pronoun that means “he” or “she.” Finnish does not distinguish between genders in pronouns.

14. Me (We)

“We” in Finnish is “me.” It’s used to refer to a group that includes yourself.

15. Te (You – plural)

When addressing more than one person, use “te,” which is the plural form of “you.”

16. He (They)

“He” means “they” and is used to refer to a group of people.

17. Tämä (This)

To refer to something close to you, use “tämä,” which means “this.”

18. Tuo (That)

“Tuo” means “that” and is used to refer to something further away.

19. Nämä (These)

“Nämä” is the plural form of “this” and means “these.”

20. Nuo (Those)

“Those” in Finnish is “nuo.” It’s the plural form of “that.”

21. Missä (Where)

To ask about location, use “missä,” which means “where.”

22. Milloin (When)

“Milloin” is used to ask about time and means “when.”

23. Miksi (Why)

To inquire about reasons or causes, use “miksi,” which means “why.”

24. Mitä (What)

“What” in Finnish is “mitä.” It’s used to ask questions about objects, actions, and more.

25. Kuinka (How)

“Kuinka” means “how” and is used to ask about the manner or state of something.

26. Kuka (Who)

To ask about people, use “kuka,” which means “who.”

27. Mikä (Which)

“Mikä” can mean “what” or “which” depending on the context. It’s a versatile question word.

28. Hyvä (Good)

“Hyvä” means “good” and is used to describe something positive or of high quality.

29. Huono (Bad)

To describe something negative or of low quality, use “huono,” which means “bad.”

30. Iso (Big)

“Iso” means “big” and is used to describe something large in size.

31. Pieni (Small)

“Pieni” means “small” and is used to describe something of small size.

32. Kuuma (Hot)

To describe temperature, use “kuuma” for “hot.”

33. Kylmä (Cold)

“Kylmä” means “cold” and is also used to describe temperature.

34. Vesi (Water)

“Vesi” means “water,” an essential word for everyday life.

35. Ruoka (Food)

“Ruoka” means “food.” It’s crucial for discussing meals and dining.

36. Talvi (Winter)

In a country like Finland, knowing the word for winter, “talvi,” is essential.

37. Kesä (Summer)

“Kesä” means “summer,” a season cherished for its warmth and long days.

38. Syksy (Autumn)

“Syksy” means “autumn,” the season of falling leaves and cooler temperatures.

39. Kevät (Spring)

“Kevät” means “spring,” the season of renewal and blossoming nature.

40. Päivä (Day)

“Päivä” means “day,” a basic unit of time.

41. Viikko (Week)

“Viikko” means “week,” a longer unit of time.

42. Kuukausi (Month)

“Kuukausi” means “month,” used for even longer periods.

43. Vuosi (Year)

“Vuosi” means “year,” the longest basic unit of time.

44. Maanantai (Monday)

“Maanantai” means “Monday,” the first day of the week.

45. Tiistai (Tuesday)

“Tiistai” means “Tuesday.”

46. Keskiviikko (Wednesday)

“Keskiviikko” means “Wednesday.”

47. Torstai (Thursday)

“Torstai” means “Thursday.”

48. Perjantai (Friday)

“Perjantai” means “Friday.”

49. Lauantai (Saturday)

“Lauantai” means “Saturday.”

50. Sunnuntai (Sunday)

“Sunnuntai” means “Sunday,” the final day of the week.

These 50 essential words form the foundation of your Finnish vocabulary at the B1 level. Understanding and using these words will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Finnish. Remember to practice regularly, immerse yourself in the language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy learning!