Finnish Daily Dialogues
Hellurei! We’re Ida and Klaudia, Finnish teachers excited to help you learn puhekieli—the everyday Finnish locals actually speak. Learning Finnish can feel like cracking a secret code—challenging and sometimes downward frustrating. But don’t worry, we’re here to make it easier and help you sound natural. Grab a coffee, hit play, and let’s mennään!
Episodes
Treffit
Learn how to ask someone out in Finnish, check if a time works, and cancel plans if you change your mind. We also explore some cultural differences around dating, who makes the first move, who pays, and why silence on a Finnish date isn’t as awkward as you might think.
Synttärit
In this episode, you’ll learn useful vocabulary for talking about birthdays, parties, and gifts, explore some cultural insights about celebrations in Finland, and finally understand how to use –lle and –lta / –ltä when talking about people.
Mistä?
This is the last episode in our series about Finnish locative cases. In this episode, we look at how to answer Mistä? (“from where?”). You’ll learn the key endings, useful fixed expressions, and some common verbs that require this case.Mistä sä tuut? Mistä sä tykkäät?
Apteekissa
In this episode you will learn how to talk about feeling sick - from the first symptoms at home to going to the pharmacy. Learn also how to describe pain using sattua, koskea and särkeä.
Mihin?
In this episode, we look at how to answer Mihin? (“where to?”) in Finnish: the key endings, useful fixed expressions, and some verbs that require this case. We also cover how to say “to whom".Note! It’s a follow-up to our Missä and Millä episodes, so we recommend listening to those first.
Ravintolassa
Join us in the restaurant 🍽️ Everything from walking in and grabbing a table to ordering like a local and mastering Finnish restaurant small talk. Learn also how to use the verb laittaa in different contexts.
Millä?
Learn how -lla / -llä really works in Finnish (and discover that it’s not just about location!) So, millä sä syöt pastaa?Before listening, we recommend starting with "Missä?"
Missä?
Find out how to say in/on/at in Finnish (and discover that ssa/ssä and lla/llä are not just about location!) So, missä sä oot?
Salilla
November stole your energy? At least let's train your Finnish. Gym vocabulary, the -ksi ending, and the verb "säätää" which means "adjust" but also kinda "flirt" or "have a thing with someone" 🤭
Miltä marraskuu tuntuu?
Welcome to marraskuu 💀 In this episode, we talk about aistiverbit - Finnish sense verbs like tuntua, näyttää, kuulostaa, tuoksua, and maistua. We will also share some of our favorite excuses for canceling plans if all you need is to stay home with glögi and viltti.
Ko/Kö: How to Ask Questions in Finnish
How do Finns ask questions without even sounding like they're asking one? Explore ko and kö endings, vowel harmony, intonation, and when to use joko vs jooko.
Vaatekaupassa
Let’s go vaatekauppaan — to the clothing store! You’ll learn what to say to shop assistants without freezing up, and even master the art of being a good makutuomari (taste judge). Warning: lots of tää and nää ahead 💀
Me ollaan/Te ootte
Learn how to say we are or you (plural) are in spoken Finnish and listen to the dialogue with the examples. Ootteks te valmiita?
Lentokoneessa
Flying soon? In this episode, we take you from the airport to your seat on the plane, with all the phrases you need along the way: checking in, ordering mustikkamehu, and even asking “Saanko peiton?” if you’re a real vilukissa.
Miten sun matka meni?
Today’s episode takes you on a trip to Portugal! You’ll hear a natural Finnish dialogue, discover the difference between matka, reissu, and retki, and practice some past tense verbs along the way.
What does "ihan" really mean?
In this episode, we unpack the common and tricky Finnish word "ihan". Does it soften or strengthen the meaning? With examples and tips, learn how to use it naturally.
Baarissa
Heading to a Finnish bar? Learn how to order drinks, toast like a local, and handle the day after (krapula or even worse, morkkis). Kippis! 🍻
Hän on/Se on
In Finnish, we don’t distinguish between “he” and “she” — the word “hän” is gender neutral. And in spoken Finnish, people often use “se” (which literally means it) when talking about people, too! In this episode, we explain how to say “he is,” “she is,” and “it is”, and share some insights into when to use hän vs. se.
Torilla
How to survive at a Finnish summer market: learn key phrases for buying berries, tasting, and trying local treats like kalakukko.
Rannalla
Learn how to invite a friend to the beach in Finnish! In this episode we share everyday phrases, spoken Finnish tips, and some insights on using -lla and -lle endings.Discover words like auringonpalvoja (“sun worshipper”) and never mix up tuoda and tulla again.
Kahvilassa
This episode is about useful phrases for ordering coffee at a café: to go or for here, small or large, with milk or without — everything you need to order with confidence.
Mitä kuuluu?/Miten menee?
You will learn most common vocabulary used in Finnish small talk + some cultural insights.
Mä oon/Sä oot
In this episode we will introduce the verb to be "olla" in Finnish and learn how to conjugate it for I and you singular in puhekieli (spoken language). Also you will get insights of when to use it.
Introduction
This episode explains why the podcast Finnish Daily Dialogues was created and the purpose behind it.
