Prepositions

Finnish Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Finnish Lessons
Linguistic Finnish Vocabulary
Culture Finnish Phrases
Structure Finnish Grammar

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Finnish like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Finnish Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Finnish, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Finnish

Prepositions Finnish Audio
In front ofedessä
Behindtakana
Beforeennen
Afterjälkeen
Insidesisällä
Withkanssa
Withoutilman
Outsideulkona
On top ofpäällä
Underalla
About (in regards to)noin
Againstvastaan
Andja
As (similar to)kuin
Betweenvälissä
Butmutta
Forvarten
Fromalkaen
In- ssa; -ssä
Instead ofsijasta
Nearlähellä
Of-sta; stä
Ortai
Since(jostakin) lähtien / asti
Sojoten
To-aan, -een, -iin, -oon, -uun, -yyn, -ään, -öön
Untilasti

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Finnish sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Finnish Prepositions in a Sentence

English Finnish Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Voinko harjoitella italiaa kanssasi?
I speak French but with an accentPuhun ranskaa, mutta korostaen
I was born in MiamiSynnyin Miamissa
I'm from JapanOlen Japanista
The letter is inside the bookKirje on kirjan sisällä
The pen is under the deskKynä on työpöydän alla
Directions
Can I help you?Voinko auttaa sinua?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Finnish contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Finnish

Directions Finnish Audio
Can you help me?Voitko auttaa minua?
Can you show me?Voisitko näyttää minulle?
Come with me!Tule mukaani!
Downtown (city center)Keskusta
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Anteeksi!
Go straightMene suoraan
How can I get to the museum? Miten pääsen museolle?
How long does it take to get there?Kuinka kauan kestää päästä sinne?
I'm lostOlen eksynyt
I'm not from hereEn ole täältä
It's far from hereSe on kaukana täältä
It's near hereSe on lähistöllä
One moment please!Pieni hetki!
Turn leftKäänny vasempaan
Turn rightKäänny oikealle
FarKaukana
Heretäällä
LeftVasemmalla
RightOikealla
NearLähellä
StraightSuoraan
Theresiellä
To driveAjaa
To turnKääntyä
To walkKävellä
Traffic lightLiikennevalot
TransportationKuljetus

Daily Conversation in Finnish

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Finnish. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Finnish Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Finnish

English Finnish Audio
Do you speak English?Puhutko englantia?
Just a littleVain vähän, Jonkin verran
What's your name?Mikä on nimesi?
My name is (John Doe)Nimeni on (Matti Meikäläinen)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Herra... / Rouva... / Neiti...
Nice to meet you!Mukava tavata! Ilo tutustua!
You're very kind!Olettepa ystävällinen!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Finnish about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Finnish Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Finnish homepage.

Lessons Finnish Lessons
Linguistic Finnish Vocabulary
Culture Finnish Phrases
Structure Finnish Grammar