Travelling to Finland? Begin with hei (hello), kiitos (thank you), ole hyvä (please / here you are), anteeksi (excuse me) and missä on…? (where is…?). Also recognise uloskäynti (exit), sisäänkäynti (entrance), juna (train), asema (station) and sauna.
Finland has two national languages, Finnish and Swedish. English is widely spoken in many visitor settings, but local language signs and announcements are useful to recognise. This guide focuses on Finnish for practical travel and explains words that matter in transport, cafés, saunas and outdoor plans.
Quick read: Learn hei, kiitos and anteeksi first. Check live transport displays, recognise entrance and exit signs, follow the rules of each sauna, and check weather and daylight before remote outdoor activities.
20 useful Finnish words and phrases
| Finnish | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hei / Moi | Hello / hi | Greeting |
| Hyvää huomenta | Good morning | Morning greeting |
| Hyvää iltaa | Good evening | Evening greeting |
| Näkemiin | Goodbye | Farewell |
| Kiitos | Thank you | Thanks |
| Kiitos paljon | Thank you very much | Emphatic thanks |
| Ole hyvä | Please / here you are | Request or handover |
| Anteeksi | Excuse me / sorry | Approach or apologise |
| Kyllä / Ei | Yes / no | Confirm or decline |
| Missä on…? | Where is…? | Ask for a place |
| Paljonko tämä maksaa? | How much does this cost? | Ask a price |
| En ymmärrä | I don’t understand | Clarify |
| Puhutko englantia? | Do you speak English? | Ask politely |
| Vessa | Toilet | Find facilities |
| Asema | Station | Transport |
| Juna | Train | Rail travel |
| Lippu | Ticket | Transport / admission |
| Sisäänkäynti | Entrance | Read signs |
| Uloskäynti | Exit | Read signs |
| Apua! | Help! | Request assistance |
Finnish and Swedish: two national languages
Finnish and Swedish are both national languages in Finland. Finnish is the majority language, while Swedish is used by Swedish-speaking communities, particularly along parts of the coast and in the autonomous Åland Islands. Bilingual signs may show both. English is common in many tourism settings, but do not assume that every local conversation will be in English.
A useful habit is to save the written name of your hotel, station and destination. If pronunciation is difficult, show the spelling. A short greeting and thank-you phrase can make the exchange more courteous without requiring fluency.
Transport: asema, juna and lippu
The words asema (station), juna (train), lippu (ticket), lähtö (departure) and saapuminen (arrival) help you interpret transport information. Check the exact station and service, especially beyond the major cities. A journey may involve local buses, regional trains or transfers.
Use current operator information for timetables and ticket conditions. Check whether the ticket is tied to a particular departure and whether a seat reservation is needed. At the station, compare your destination and departure time with the live display rather than relying on an old screenshot.
Sauna vocabulary and etiquette
A sauna is a familiar part of Finnish everyday culture, but facilities differ. Some are private; others are public, mixed or arranged in separate sessions. Follow the specific venue’s instructions about swimwear, washing and session arrangements. Do not assume every sauna follows the same rules.
Löyly refers to the steam and heat created when water is thrown onto hot stones. Ask before adding water if you are unsure of the venue’s practice. Respect other guests’ space and the facility’s instructions.
Winter and outdoor plans
Useful words include lumi (snow), jää (ice), talvi (winter), kesä (summer), sää (weather) and metsä (forest). They help identify the subject of a notice or forecast, but a word list cannot determine whether a route is safe.
For skiing, hiking or wilderness trips, check local forecasts and route information, dress for conditions and tell someone your plan. Daylight varies considerably by season and location. Do not rely solely on mobile coverage in remote areas.
At a café, shop or hotel
Use Haluaisin… (I would like…) to begin an order. Ask Paljonko tämä maksaa? to check a price. At accommodation, show the booking name, dates, guest count and complete address. Keep the details offline in case connectivity is poor.
If you have an allergy, state the exact ingredient and ask staff to confirm with the kitchen. A general food preference is not an allergy statement. Use a carefully checked translation if cross-contact is a concern.
A five-day practice routine
- Day 1: practise hei, kiitos, ole hyvä and anteeksi.
- Day 2: learn asema, juna, lippu, lähtö and saapuminen.
- Day 3: save your hotel address and practise missä on…?
- Day 4: read the rules of the sauna you plan to visit.
- Day 5: check weather, daylight and official route information before outdoor activities.
Frequently asked questions
Do people in Finland speak English?
English is widely spoken in many visitor settings, but Finnish or Swedish words still appear on signs and local information.
Is Swedish spoken in Finland?
Yes. Swedish is a national language and is used by communities in several parts of Finland, including Åland.
What does löyly mean?
It refers to steam and heat created in a sauna when water is thrown onto hot stones.
Continue exploring Finland
Read Everything About Finland and things to do when visiting Finland. For Helsinki, use Helsinki travel vocabulary and the world travel vocabulary city directory.
Official reference
- Visit Finland: practical tips — languages, emergency number and visitor basics.
- VR Finland — current rail information and tickets.
- Singapore MFA travel guidance — traveller preparation.
Language note: Finnish pronunciation is not fully represented by English spelling. Finnish and Swedish are both national languages; local usage varies. Check current transport and weather information before travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.