Begin Your Finnish Language Adventure – Here's How to Get Started!

Do you want to learn Finnish but aren’t sure where to start? Finnish might seem like a challenging language at first, but with the right tools and approach, it can be both fun and rewarding. There are free websites and videos created by Finnish language teachers that you can use to study independently. I’ve selected a few of these resources to help you get started, and I’ll be creating my own videos soon!

Here’s a beginner’s guide covering some very basics to help you take your first 10 steps in learning  Finnish.

1. Learn the Finnish Alphabet

Mastering the alphabet is the foundation of language learning. The Finnish alphabet includes some unique letters, such as Ä and Ö. Yle Oppiminen - Finnish alphabet is an excellent resource to begin with. You can also make learning fun by listening to the children’s song Aakkoslaulu

2. Master Greetings and Basic Phrases

Learn how to greet others (Hyvää päivää) or introduce yourself (Minä olen...). Yle’s Finnish Phrases videos Yle Oppiminen - Finnish phrases will help you navigate everyday situations like shopping for food or talking about your family.

Tip: Finns often speak in spoken language, which differs from written Finnish. The free online course Puhut sä suomee? Puhekielen verkkokurssi is a great way to start learning spoken Finnish right from the beginning.

3. Learn Numbers

Numbers are essential for shopping, time-telling, and much more. Yle oppiminen - Finnish numbers is a great resource for learning standard Finnish numbers. For spoken Finnish, check out Puhekielen verkkokurssi  or the Suomi sujuu web site. 

4. Asking About Prices – "Mitä tämä maksaa?"

The phrase Mitä tämä maksaa? (How much does this cost?) will come in handy. Yle’s short video Yle oppiminen - Mitä tämä maksaa? teaches this quickly, and Puhekielen verkkokurssi - Mitä toi maksaa? offers more in-depth content for spoken Finnish. You can practice numbers and prices on web site Osaan suomea

5. Learn Question Words and How to Ask Questions

Mastering question words like Mitä? Missä? Miten? is key to communication. Suomi taskussa - Alkeet offers clear examples. Finnish also uses suffixes like -KO/-KÖ to form questions, which makes sentences flow naturally. Videos by Satu Lahtonen and Finnish with Anna can guide you through these structures.

Here are some basic questions for beginners to try in standard and spoken language.

6. Time Expressions and Asking the Time

Learn to ask and tell the time (Mitä kello on?) with ease using resources on Uusikielemme how to say 'What time is it?'  Listen to a song about clock times by Kielinuppu. You can exercise on web site Osaan suomea 

Months and seasons of the year can be memorized in a fun way with a song by Kielinuppu.

Kuva: Papunet

7. Learn Basic Adjectives

The question word for adjectives is Millainen? (What kind of?). Satu Lahtonen’s video introduces basic adjectives and their opposites, providing a strong foundation. Here you may find a list of basic adjectives and opposites

8. Express What You Have or Don’t Have

Kuva: Papunet

The Finnish structure I have a car / I don’t have a car. (Minulla on auto. / Minulla ei ole autoa) might feel unfamiliar at first, but Finnish teacher Hanna Männikkölahti explains it and the use of partitive case in negative sentences clearly in English in her blog Random Finnish Lesson.

9. Conjugating Verbs – The Beginner's Key 

Kuva: Papunet

Start by learning personal pronouns (minä, sinä, hän, me, te, he) and the verb 'olla' (to be). Anna’s video Learn pronouns with Anna is a good starting point, and Satu Lahtonen’s videos basic verb conjugation and personal suffixes   explain the basics of verb conjugation and Finland’s  6 verb types  in simple Finnish. You can practice verb conjugation on web site Osaan suomea

For deeper exploration, Aalto University offers detailed grammar videos for each verb type Aalto University Finnish Online Grammar videos Learn your first 100 verbs on internet site Uusikielemme - Finnish for busy people

10. Explore some Finnish language features

Vowel Harmony: Finnish vowels follow specific harmony rules. Teacher Satu Lahtonen explains this concept simply in her video Vokaaliharmonia. 

Consonant Gradation (K-P-T): This phenomenon alters consonants in words and is something you’ll encounter often. Uusikielemme - Finnish for busy people provides a clear overview, and Satu Lahtonen’s video about consonant gradation K-P-T astevaihtelu  simplifies the topic for beginners.

Ready to Take Your Finnish Skills to the Next Level?

If you prefer studying yourself, you find useful links from my last post Find online self study materials to learn Finnish , but if you’re looking for personalized support in learning Finnish, I offer private lessons for all skill levels. My lessons are fun, interactive, and focused on real-life communication. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, I can tailor our sessions to meet your needs and goals. 

I am a qualified teacher of Finnish as a second and foreign language, and my students have consistently praised my engaging and effective teaching style.

Feel free to follow me in Facebook Finnish Teacher Minna Karjunen or reach out via Messenger or email at minna.karjunen @ gmail.com to ask more or to book your first lesson. First meeting is for free. Let’s make learning Finnish an enjoyable and engaging experience together!