Learning Finnish can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor, especially when you reach the intermediate level. At this stage, you already have a good grasp of the basics and are ready to dive deeper into more complex vocabulary and phrases. To help you in your journey, we’ve compiled a list of essential Finnish words and expressions that every intermediate learner should know. These words will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you communicate more effectively in various everyday situations.

Daily Life Vocabulary

As you navigate daily life in Finland or while practicing Finnish, these words will come in handy.

– **Ravintola** – Restaurant
– **Kahvila** – Café
– **Ruoka** – Food
– **Juoma** – Drink
– **Kauppa** – Store/Shop
– **Tori** – Market
– **Pankki** – Bank
– **Apteekki** – Pharmacy
– **Kirjasto** – Library
– **Posti** – Post Office

For example, if you’re looking for a restaurant, you can ask: “Missä on lähin ravintola?” (Where is the nearest restaurant?)

Time and Dates

Understanding how to talk about time and dates is crucial. Here are some key terms:

– **Tunti** – Hour
– **Minuutti** – Minute
– **Sekunti** – Second
– **Päivä** – Day
– **Viikko** – Week
– **Kuukausi** – Month
– **Vuosi** – Year
– **Aamu** – Morning
– **Iltapäivä** – Afternoon
– **Ilta** – Evening
– **Yö** – Night

You might use these words in sentences like: “Mennäänkö kahville iltapäivällä?” (Shall we go for coffee in the afternoon?)

Weather and Seasons

Discussing the weather is a common conversation starter. Here are some Finnish words to help you:

– **Aurinko** – Sun
– **Sade** – Rain
– **Lumi** – Snow
– **Tuuli** – Wind
– **Pilvi** – Cloud
– **Kylmä** – Cold
– **Kuuma** – Hot
– **Kevät** – Spring
– **Kesä** – Summer
– **Syksy** – Autumn
– **Talvi** – Winter

For instance, you might say: “Tänään on todella kylmä.” (Today is really cold.)

Transportation

Whether you’re traveling within Finland or just navigating your city, these transportation-related words will be useful:

– **Bussi** – Bus
– **Juna** – Train
– **Lentokone** – Airplane
– **Auto** – Car
– **Polkupyörä** – Bicycle
– **Laiva** – Ship
– **Lippu** – Ticket
– **Asema** – Station
– **Pysäkki** – Stop
– **Lentokenttä** – Airport

You might need to ask: “Mistä voin ostaa lippu bussiin?” (Where can I buy a bus ticket?)

Health and Well-being

When it comes to health, knowing the right vocabulary can be crucial. Here are some important words:

– **Lääkäri** – Doctor
– **Sairaalä** – Hospital
– **Sairas** – Sick
– **Lääke** – Medicine
– **Vakuutus** – Insurance
– **Oire** – Symptom
– **Terveys** – Health
– **Hätä** – Emergency
– **Apua** – Help

In a medical situation, you might say: “Tarvitsen lääkäri heti.” (I need a doctor immediately.)

Work and Education

Whether you’re working or studying in Finland, these words will be beneficial:

– **Työ** – Work
– **Työntekijä** – Employee
– **Työnantaja** – Employer
– **Palkka** – Salary
– **Kokous** – Meeting
– **Koulu** – School
– **Opettaja** – Teacher
– **Oppilas** – Student
– **Tehtävä** – Task/Assignment
– **Kurssi** – Course

For example, you might need to know: “Milloin seuraava kokous on?” (When is the next meeting?)

Shopping and Money

Knowing these words can make your shopping experience smoother:

– **Hinta** – Price
– **Alennus** – Discount
– **Kassa** – Cash register
– **Käteinen** – Cash
– **Kortti** – Card
– **Kuitti** – Receipt
– **Vaihtaa** – Exchange
– **Palautus** – Return
– **Myyjä** – Salesperson
– **Asiakas** – Customer

For example, you might ask: “Onko tässä tuotteessa alennus?” (Is there a discount on this product?)

Social Interactions

Here are some words and phrases that will help you in social settings:

– **Ystävä** – Friend
– **Perhe** – Family
– **Juhla** – Party/Celebration
– **Kutsu** – Invitation
– **Vierailu** – Visit
– **Tavata** – To meet
– **Hauska** – Fun
– **Mukava** – Nice
– **Keskustelu** – Conversation

You might say: “On mukava tavata sinut.” (It’s nice to meet you.)

Nature and Outdoors

Finland is known for its beautiful nature, so these words will be useful:

– **Metsä** – Forest
– **Järvi** – Lake
– **Vuori** – Mountain
– **Puro** – Stream
– **Ranta** – Beach
– **Kukka** – Flower
– **Eläin** – Animal
– **Kasvi** – Plant
– **Lintu** – Bird
– **Retki** – Trip/Hike

For example, you might say: “Rakastan käydä metsässä.” (I love going to the forest.)

Food and Cooking

If you enjoy cooking or eating out, these words will be handy:

– **Aamiainen** – Breakfast
– **Lounas** – Lunch
– **Illallinen** – Dinner
– **Välipala** – Snack
– **Keittiö** – Kitchen
– **Lautanen** – Plate
– **Veitsi** – Knife
– **Haarukka** – Fork
– **Lusikka** – Spoon
– **Juoma** – Drink

You might need to know: “Mikä on päivän lounas?” (What is the lunch of the day?)

Adjectives and Descriptions

Being able to describe things in detail is important at the intermediate level. Here are some useful adjectives:

– **Kaunis** – Beautiful
– **Ruma** – Ugly
– **Iso** – Big
– **Pieni** – Small
– **Pitkä** – Long/Tall
– **Lyhyt** – Short
– **Nopea** – Fast
– **Hidas** – Slow
– **Vahva** – Strong
– **Heikko** – Weak

For example, you might say: “Tämä kaupunki on todella kaunis.” (This city is really beautiful.)

Family and Relationships

Talking about family and relationships is a common topic. Here are some key words:

– **Äiti** – Mother
– **Isä** – Father
– **Sisar** – Sister
– **Veli** – Brother
– **Lapsi** – Child
– **Vaimo** – Wife
– **Mies** – Husband
– **Ystävä** – Friend
– **Sukulainen** – Relative
– **Pari** – Couple

For example, you might say: “Minulla on kaksi sisarta.” (I have two sisters.)

Common Verbs

Expanding your verb vocabulary is crucial for forming more complex sentences. Here are some common verbs:

– **Tehdä** – To do/make
– **Mennä** – To go
– **Tulla** – To come
– **Nähdä** – To see
– **Syödä** – To eat
– **Juoda** – To drink
– **Ostaa** – To buy
– **Myydä** – To sell
– **Rakastaa** – To love
– **Pitää** – To like

You might use these verbs in sentences like: “Haluan ostaa uuden kirjan.” (I want to buy a new book.)

Expressions and Phrases

Here are some useful expressions and phrases for everyday conversations:

– **Miten menee?** – How’s it going?
– **Kiitos, hyvää.** – Thank you, good.
– **Mitä kuuluu?** – How are you?
– **Ei mitään erityistä.** – Nothing special.
– **Voinko auttaa?** – Can I help?
– **Ei kestä.** – You’re welcome.
– **Olen pahoillani.** – I’m sorry.
– **Ei se mitään.** – It’s okay.
– **Hauskaa päivää!** – Have a nice day!
– **Nähdään myöhemmin.** – See you later.

For example, in a conversation, you might say: “Miten menee?” (How’s it going?)

Numbers and Counting

Being able to count and talk about numbers is essential. Here are the numbers from one to ten:

– **Yksi** – One
– **Kaksi** – Two
– **Kolme** – Three
– **Neljä** – Four
– **Viisi** – Five
– **Kuusi** – Six
– **Seitsemän** – Seven
– **Kahdeksan** – Eight
– **Yhdeksän** – Nine
– **Kymmenen** – Ten

You might use these in a sentence like: “Minulla on kaksi kissaa.” (I have two cats.)

Colors and Shapes

Describing objects by their color and shape is useful. Here are some common words:

– **Punainen** – Red
– **Sininen** – Blue
– **Vihreä** – Green
– **Keltainen** – Yellow
– **Must** – Black
– **Valkoinen** – White
– **Neliö** – Square
– **Kolmio** – Triangle
– **Ympyrä** – Circle
– **Suorakulmio** – Rectangle

You might describe something by saying: “Pidän sininenstä autosta.” (I like the blue car.)

Technology and Media

In today’s world, technology and media play a big role. Here are some relevant words:

– **Tietokone** – Computer
– **Puhelin** – Phone
– **Televisio** – Television
– **Radio** – Radio
– **Internet** – Internet
– **Sähköposti** – Email
– **Ohjelma** – Program
– **Sovellus** – Application
– **Verkko** – Network
– **Peli** – Game

You might say: “Käytän tietokonetta joka päivä.” (I use the computer every day.)

Travel and Tourism

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, these words will be helpful:

– **Hotelli** – Hotel
– **Hostelli** – Hostel
– **Ravintola** – Restaurant
– **Matkustaa** – To travel
– **Matkalaukku** – Suitcase
– **Kartta** – Map
– **Opas** – Guide
– **Nähtävyys** – Sight/Attraction
– **Lomamatka** – Vacation
– **Varata** – To book/reserve

For example, you might need to say: “Haluan varata huoneen.” (I want to book a room.)

Conclusion

Expanding your vocabulary is a crucial part of advancing your Finnish language skills. These words and phrases will help you navigate a variety of everyday situations and improve your ability to communicate effectively. Practice using these words in sentences, engage in conversations, and immerse yourself in Finnish media to reinforce your learning. Remember, consistency is key, and with time and effort, you’ll find yourself becoming more fluent and confident in your Finnish language abilities. Happy learning!