đŸ”„SAVE 20% on all courses until Sunday đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź Use code: 20SALEđŸ”„

Spoken Finnish vs Written Finnish: Key Differences Explained (Puhekieli vs Kirjakieli)


If you’re learning Finnish, you’ve probably noticed something confusing:


The Finnish you learn in books doesn’t always sound like the Finnish you hear in real life.


This is because Finnish has two main forms:

  • spoken Finnish (puhekieli)
  • written Finnish (kirjakieli)


Understanding the difference between spoken Finnish vs written Finnish is essential if you want to actually use the language confidently.


In this article, you’ll learn:

  • what spoken and written Finnish are
  • the key differences between puhekieli and kirjakieli
  • when to use each
  • and how to learn both effectively



What Is Written Finnish (Kirjakieli)?


Written Finnish (kirjakieli) is the formal, standardized version of the language.


It is used in:

  • books and literature
  • news articles
  • official documents
  • formal emails
  • most Finnish learning materials


Written Finnish follows strict grammar rules and is consistent across contexts.


Example:

  • MinĂ€ en tiedĂ€ mitĂ€ hĂ€n tekee.
    (“I don’t know what he/she is doing.”)


Key features of written Finnish:

  • grammatically complete sentences
  • clear structure
  • standard vocabulary
  • formal tone



What Is Spoken Finnish (Puhekieli)?


Spoken Finnish (puhekieli) is the informal version of Finnish used in everyday conversations.


You’ll hear spoken Finnish:

  • in daily conversations
  • between friends and colleagues
  • in casual situations
  • in most real-life interactions in Finland


Example:

  • MĂ€ en tiiĂ€ mitĂ€ se tekee.


Key features of spoken Finnish:

  • shortened words
  • simplified grammar
  • faster pronunciation
  • more flexible sentence structure



Spoken Finnish vs Written Finnish: Key Differences


Let’s break down the most important differences between puhekieli vs kirjakieli.


1. Pronouns in Spoken vs Written Finnish

Pronouns are one of the most noticeable differences.


Written Finnish

minÀ, sinÀ, hÀn


Spoken Finnish

mÀ, sÀ, se


In spoken Finnish, pronouns are shorter and more casual.


2. Verb Forms Change in Spoken Finnish


Verb conjugations are often simplified in spoken Finnish.


Written Finnish

minÀ olen, minÀ menen, minÀ tiedÀn


Spoken Finnish

mÀ oon, mÀ meen, mÀ tiiÀn


👉 This is one of the biggest differences learners notice when comparing spoken vs written Finnish grammar.


3. Words Get Shortened


Spoken Finnish often drops or changes sounds:

  • uusi → uus
  • ettĂ€ → et
  • katson → katon


These changes are a key part of learning spoken Finnish and understanding real conversations.


4. Sentence Structure Is More Flexible


Written Finnish follows strict grammar rules.

Spoken Finnish is more natural and less structured.


Example:

  • Written: Tuletko sinĂ€?
  • Spoken: Tuuks sĂ€?


👉 This flexibility is why spoken Finnish can feel unpredictable at first.


5. Formal vs Informal Finnish


Another key difference between kirjakieli vs puhekieli is tone.


Written Finnish

formal, neutral, structured


Spoken Finnish

informal, personal, relaxed


When to Use Spoken Finnish vs Written Finnish


Knowing the difference is important — but knowing when to use spoken vs written Finnish is even more important.


Use written Finnish when:

  • writing formal emails
  • reading books or news
  • taking exams


Use spoken Finnish when:

  • speaking with people
  • texting or messaging
  • listening to conversations
  • living everyday life in Finland


💡Study grammar in both, spoken and written Finnish.


👉 In reality, spoken Finnish is used far more often in daily life.


Do You Need to Learn Both?


Yes — and ideally, you should learn spoken Finnish and written Finnish together.


If you only learn written Finnish:

  • you will struggle to understand real conversations


If you only learn spoken Finnish:

  • you may struggle with reading and writing


👉 The most effective way to learn Finnish is to combine both from the beginning.


Why Spoken and Written Finnish Are So Different


Many learners wonder why Finnish has such a big gap between spoken and written forms.


The reason is simple:

  • written Finnish has been standardized
  • spoken Finnish has evolved naturally over time


This creates a noticeable difference between:

  • the “correct” version of Finnish
  • and the “real-life” version


How to Learn Spoken Finnish More Effectively


If your goal is to understand real Finnish, focus on:

  • listening to authentic spoken Finnish
  • learning common spoken forms, patterns in spoken Finnish and grammar in both spoken & written Finnish
  • practicing speaking regularly
  • comparing spoken vs written forms side by side


👉 This approach helps you connect what you see with what you hear.


Final Thoughts: Puhekieli vs Kirjakieli


Understanding the difference between spoken Finnish vs written Finnish is one of the most important steps in learning the language.


Once you recognize the patterns, things start to click:

  • conversations become easier to follow
  • spoken Finnish feels more familiar
  • and you gain confidence using the language


Learn Real Finnish


If you want to go beyond textbooks and actually learn how Finnish is spoken in real life, you can check out my full courses.


👉 The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1


I teach:

  • spoken Finnish from the beginning
  • how spoken and written Finnish connect
  • practical skills for real-life conversations


So you don’t just learn Finnish — you actually use it.

All my learning materials are focused on real, spoken Finnish.

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Why You Still Don’t Understand Finnish (Even After Years of Studying)


If you’ve been stuck with Finnish
 read this.


Hey my lovelies,


I’ve seen this so many times.


People come to me after learning Finnish for years
 and they still can’t understand what Finns are saying in real life.


They know the grammar.
They’ve done the exercises.
They’ve studied for a long time.


And yet — when someone speaks to them, they freeze.


Why Is Finnish So Hard to Understand in Real Life?


I’ve worked with these students one-on-one, and honestly, they are the exact reason I created my courses.


Because the problem isn’t you.


It’s the way Finnish is usually taught.


Most courses focus heavily on written Finnish


but real-life Finnish sounds completely different.


This is one of the biggest reasons learners struggle:

  • You learn one version of the language
  • But hear a completely different one in real conversations


So even if you’ve been learning for years, you’re still missing the part that actually matters:


→ understanding people
→ and being able to speak naturally yourself


Spoken vs Written Finnish: The Missing Piece


If you’ve ever thought:

  • “I understand Finnish when I read, but not when people speak”
  • “Finnish people speak too fast”
  • “This doesn’t sound like what I learned”


You’re not imagining it.


Spoken Finnish (puhekieli) is very different from written Finnish (kirjakieli).


And if you only learn the written form, real conversations will always feel confusing.


How to Actually Learn Spoken Finnish


That’s exactly why my courses are built differently.


Everything is designed around real, spoken Finnish:

  • grammar (explained clearly, without overcomplicating)
  • listening practice with real-life language
  • speaking exercises to help you actually use Finnish
  • practical exercises that prepare you for real conversations


Because what’s the point of learning a language
 if you can’t use it in real life?


Signs You’ve Been Learning Finnish the Wrong Way


If you feel like:

  • you understand Finnish better on paper than in real life
  • you struggle to get words out when speaking
  • you’ve been “stuck” at the same level for a long time


then you’re not alone.


And more importantly — this is fixable.


Ready to Finally Understand Finnish?


If you’re ready to finally make a real breakthrough with Finnish, this is your moment.


My full Finnish learning collection includes everything you need to go from understanding on paper → to understanding real conversations.


💛 Value: €982

💛 Today: €599 (you save €383)


That’s basically like getting:

  • a full course
  • an e-book
  • and PDF guides

for free.


✔ One-time payment
✔ Lifetime access
✔ Never buy another Finnish course again


Join Now (Before It Closes)


The courses close tomorrow night.


→ Join with one-time payment

→ Join with a 6-month payment plan (discount still applies!)



I would love to be the person who helps you finally get Finnish.


Don’t miss it 💛


<3 Sabrin


All courses are closing tomorrow night (May 6th) - join now.


EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

How I Finally Became Fluent Faster (My Spanish Breakthrough Story)


A few years ago, I really wanted to learn Spanish.


I had picked up words from traveling, taken some lessons
 but honestly?


👉 It just wasn’t clicking.


I knew about the language —
but I couldn’t really use it.


If you’ve ever felt like this with a language, you’re not alone.


Why Learning a Language Sometimes Doesn’t “Click”


At first, I was doing what most learners do:

  • studying grammar
  • taking lessons
  • trying to speak


But something was missing.


Even though I understood the rules, I struggled to:
→ speak naturally
→ understand real conversations
→ react quickly


It felt slow and frustrating.


The One Change That Made Everything Click


Then I did something different.

I stopped lessons for a while and started watching a Spanish show on Netflix 🎧


No pressure. No overthinking.


Just listening, getting used to the language, and picking up patterns naturally — while still learning a bit of grammar on my own.


My Breakthrough Moment


When I went back to my lessons, my teacher was shocked.


She said:
“What have you been doing? You’re so much better!”


And she was right.


Suddenly I was:
→ speaking faster
→ understanding more
→ reacting naturally


That was my breakthrough.


Why Listening Is the Key to Language Learning


This experience taught me something important:

👉 You don’t learn a language only by studying it
👉 You learn it by hearing and using it in real context


Listening helps you:

  • recognize patterns automatically
  • understand natural speech
  • stop translating everything in your head


That’s when a language starts to feel natural.


How to Learn Real Spoken Finnish


This is exactly the method I use in my Finnish courses 💙


Not just grammar. Not just rules.

But:
→ real spoken Finnish (puhekieli)
→ lots of listening practice
→ natural learning
→ structure when you need it


So you don’t just study Finnish —
you actually start understanding and speaking it.


Learn Finnish Faster (From Beginner to Conversational)


If you’ve been waiting for that moment where everything finally “clicks,” this is it.

Inside the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle, you’ll find my whole learning collection:

→ 3 full courses
→ 2 e-books + audiobook
→ mini course + PDF guides


Total value: 982€

This is everything you need to go from beginner → conversational in Finnish đŸ—Łïž


Save €383 on the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle


Right now, you can SAVE €383 on the full bundle🎊


One-time payment:

👉 Unlock the deal


6 monthly payments:

👉 Unlock the deal



You’ll get lifetime access — and you won’t need another Finnish course ever again.


Final Thoughts


If learning Finnish has felt slow or frustrating, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.


You might just need a different approach.


Sometimes it’s not about working harder



👉 just learning the right way.

Let's have Finnish finally click for you, shall we?

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

3 Ways Finns Say “I Don’t Know” in Real Life


Have you ever learned a Finnish phrase
 and then realized nobody actually says it that way?


A perfect example is:


minĂ€ en tiedĂ€ = I don’t know


It’s correct — but in real life, Finns rarely use it in everyday conversation.


How Finns Actually Say “I Don’t Know”


In spoken Finnish (puhekieli), you’re much more likely to hear:

→ en tiiĂ€
→ emmĂ€ tiiĂ€
→ en osaa sanoo


They all mean “I don’t know,” but they sound more natural, relaxed, and closer to how Finns actually speak.


Why Spoken Finnish Sounds So Different


If you’ve mainly studied written Finnish (kirjakieli), these forms can feel confusing at first.


That’s because spoken Finnish:

  • shortens words
  • changes sounds
  • drops parts of sentences


For example:
en tiedĂ€ → en tiiĂ€


So even if you understand the “correct” version, real conversations can sound completely different.


Why You Might Not Recognize These Phrases


Many learners struggle with spoken Finnish because they haven’t been exposed to it enough.


If you mostly learn through:

  • textbooks
  • grammar exercises
  • slow, clear audio



your brain isn’t used to fast, natural speech.


That’s why phrases like emmĂ€ tiiĂ€ might sound unfamiliar at first — even though you already “know” them.


How to Start Understanding Spoken Finnish


The key is simple:

Start paying attention to spoken forms early.


Once you begin noticing phrases like:

  • en tiiĂ€
  • emmĂ€ tiiĂ€



you’ll hear them everywhere.


And more importantly, you’ll start using them yourself.


Learn Real Spoken Finnish


This is exactly what I focus on in my Finnish courses 💙


Instead of only teaching written Finnish, you’ll learn:

  • how Finns actually speak in real life
  • both spoken and written forms side by side
  • how to understand and use natural Finnish confidently

🎊My courses are currently open (only for a few more days):

EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

Why You Understand Finnish
 But Can’t Follow Conversations (And How to Fix It)


Have you ever felt like this?


You can read Finnish fairly well. You understand grammar, vocabulary, and maybe even full sentences



But the moment Finns start speaking, everything suddenly feels too fast and confusing.


If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.


This is one of the most common struggles Finnish learners face — and there’s a very specific reason behind it.


Why Finnish Feels So Different When Spoken


The main issue is simple:


Spoken Finnish is very different from written Finnish.


Most learners start with kirjakieli (written Finnish), but in real life, people speak puhekieli (spoken Finnish).


And the differences can be huge.


For example:

  • minĂ€ en tiedĂ€ → mĂ€ en tiiĂ€
  • mitĂ€ he tekevĂ€t? → mitĂ€ ne tekee?


Words get shorter, sounds change, and sentences become faster and more natural.


So even if you “know Finnish,” it can feel like you’re hearing a completely different language.


Why You Can’t Follow Conversations (Yet)


It’s not because you’re bad at Finnish.


It’s because you haven’t had enough exposure to real spoken Finnish.


If you mainly learn through:

  • textbooks
  • grammar exercises
  • slow, clear audio



your brain isn’t trained to recognize fast, natural speech.


That’s why conversations feel overwhelming.


How to Actually Start Understanding Finns


To fix this, you need one key thing:


👉 Consistent exposure to spoken Finnish


That means:

  • listening to natural conversations
  • getting used to common spoken forms
  • hearing Finnish in real-life contexts


Over time, your brain starts to recognize patterns automatically — and you stop translating everything in your head.


That’s when understanding becomes much easier.


Learn Both Written and Spoken Finnish From the Start


This is exactly what I focus on in my Finnish courses 💙


Instead of only teaching textbook Finnish, you’ll learn:

  • both written and spoken Finnish side by side
  • how Finns actually speak in real life
  • how to understand conversations naturally


So you’re not just studying Finnish — you’re learning how to use it.


Start Learning (and Save €383 on the Full Bundle)


If you’re ready to finally understand spoken Finnish, my courses are open right now.


👉 Explore the courses here:

https://sabrinthefinnishteacher.com/p/home


And if you want everything in one go, you can currently save €383 on the full bundle:


👉 Unlock the whole learning collection


If you’ve been struggling to understand Finns, it’s not a lack of ability — it’s a lack of exposure to real spoken Finnish.


Once you start focusing on how Finnish is actually spoken, everything begins to click.


And that’s when learning becomes a lot more fun.

So... Let's have you finally understanding Finns?



The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

You've studied Finnish... so why can’t you speak it?


You’ve studied grammar.
You know the rules.
You understand more than before.


But when you try to speak?


👉 
nothing comes out the way you want



What’s actually going on


Most people think:


“I just need more vocabulary”

“I need to study more grammar”


But the real issue is this:


👉 You don’t know how to use what you’ve learned


Because knowing something in theory ≠ saying it in real life.



And Finnish makes this worse đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź


Even if you do understand grammar



👉 people don’t speak like the textbook

  • minĂ€ olen → mĂ€ oon
  • sinĂ€ olet → sĂ€ oot


So now you’re dealing with:

  • rules you learned
  • AND a completely different spoken version


No wonder it feels confusing.



What actually helps ✹


You don’t need more information.

You need:

  • less, but more relevant grammar
  • clear explanations that actually make sense
  • real spoken Finnish from the start


That’s when things finally click.


💛 If you want help with that


Everything I create is designed for one thing:

👉 helping you go from understanding Finnish
👉 to actually speaking it


Here’s how you can start:


🎓 Structured courses
→ Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 1 & 2
(from zero → speaking in all tenses)


🎧 Learn by listening
→ Learn Real Finnish by Listening
(your Finnish “Netflix”)


📚 Read & understand
→ Stories in Real Finnish (+ audiobook)
(spoken Finnish + English support)


📘 All-in-one book
→ Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish (e-book)
(full spoken Finnish system)


👉 My courses are currently closed, but the e-books are available here:
[Insert link]


The goal (always)


To close the gap between:

  • “I know grammar
 but I can’t use it”
  • “I understand reading
 but not speaking”


👉 with real, usable Finnish


P.S. Free Finland guide dropping this week đŸ‡«đŸ‡źâœš

Check out my spoken Finnish learning materials:

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

The Best Books for Learning Spoken Finnish (Beginner Guide)


If you're looking for the best books to learn spoken Finnish and finally understand how Finns actually speak, these two resources are a great place to start.


Hey my lovelies,


Quick question for you today:


Did you know that I’ve written two Finnish learning e-books? đŸ„ł


When I created these books, I had one main goal in mind: to help learners understand REAL Finnish — not just the formal textbook version.


Most Finnish courses and textbooks focus almost entirely on written Finnish (kirjakieli). But in everyday life, Finns actually speak spoken Finnish (puhekieli).


That’s why so many learners study for months, sometimes even years, and still struggle to understand real conversations.


So I designed these two books to work perfectly together and help you learn Finnish in a way that actually reflects how the language is used in real life.


And yes — both of them are mostly in spoken Finnish.


📘 The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish


The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish is my spoken Finnish textbook designed to take you from beginner to conversational.


Inside the book, you’ll find:


✹ Grammar explained in both spoken and written Finnish

📝 200+ exercises to practice what you learn

🚀 A clear path from zero to conversational Finnish


This book guides you step by step and helps you understand how Finnish actually works — so you can start speaking and understanding Finnish the way Finns really speak.


👉 Grab Your Ultimate Guide


📗 Stories in REAL Finnish


The second book focuses on a different but equally important part of language learning: exposure and natural practice.


Stories in REAL Finnish is a collection of learner-friendly stories designed to help you absorb Finnish naturally.


Inside the book you’ll find:


📖 Stories written in spoken Finnish, written Finnish, and English

🧠 Perfect for passive learning

đŸŒ± Improve your understanding without feeling like you're studying


Reading stories like this helps your brain get used to how Finnish sounds and flows, which makes understanding real conversations much easier over time.


Why These Two Books Work So Well Together


These two books are designed to complement each other.


One gives you structure and clear explanations.

The other gives you natural exposure and enjoyable practice.


And when you combine the two, something really powerful happens:


Fun learning → Consistent learning → REAL results


Because the truth is, the best learning happens when you actually enjoy the process.


If you’d like to check them out, you can grab them belowđŸ‘‡đŸŒ

Let's get fluent, shall we?


''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

Why Finnish Is So Hard to Understand (And How to Fix It)

Hey my lovelies,


I wanted to share something that made me really happy recently ✹

One of my students sent me this message:


“I’ve been living in Finland for two years and always felt embarrassed speaking Finnish. After going through your lessons, I finally understood my coworkers during lunch conversations.”


Messages like this truly make my day 💙


Because the biggest struggle I see with Finnish learners is this:


You study Finnish for months — sometimes even years.
You learn grammar.
You do exercises.


But when Finns start speaking in real life
 it suddenly feels like a completely different language.


And honestly, that’s not surprising.


Why Finnish Sounds So Different in Real Life


As a native Finn, I can tell you that we don’t actually speak the way Finnish is usually taught in textbooks.


Most textbooks focus on written Finnish (kirjakieli). But everyday conversations in Finland happen in spoken Finnish (puhekieli).


For example:

MinĂ€ olen → MĂ€ oon
SinĂ€ olet → SĂ€ oot
Minulla ei ole → Mulla ei oo


So when learners study only textbook Finnish, they often struggle to understand real conversations.


The Key to Understanding Real Finnish


If you want to understand Finns in real life, you need to learn both written and spoken Finnish.


That’s why I focus so much on real spoken Finnish in my teaching — the kind you’ll actually hear:

  • at work
  • with friends
  • at the supermarket
  • in everyday conversations


Another student recently wrote to me:


“Your explanations made Finnish finally feel logical.”


And that’s exactly my goal:

to make Finnish feel clear, practical, and usable in real life.


If You’re Learning Finnish and Feel Stuck


If you're currently learning Finnish and sometimes feel stuck, just know this:


It’s not about being “bad at languages”.


Sometimes you just need the right explanations and the right approach.


My courses are currently closed, but you can still grab my spoken Finnish textbook heređŸ‘‡đŸŒ


Your favorite Finnish textbook:

(It's in spoken Finnish!!)

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Struggling With Finnish? It's NOT Your Fault

Hey my lovelies đŸ€

Do you ever feel like Finnish just isn’t clicking?

Maybe you’ve been studying for a while, but conversations still feel confusing.
Maybe you recognize some words, but when Finns start speaking, it suddenly sounds completely different.

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know something important:

It's NOT your fault.

The Real Problem With How Finnish Is Usually Taught

Most learners are taught textbook Finnish (kirjakieli).

But in real life, Finns almost always speak spoken Finnish (puhekieli).

That means many learners spend months — sometimes years — studying forms that Finns rarely use in everyday conversation.

So when you finally hear real Finnish, it can feel like a completely different language.

And that’s incredibly frustrating.

A Better Way to Learn Finnish

The key is learning both spoken and written Finnish together, so you understand how the language actually works in real life.

That’s exactly why I created my two e-books.

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish

This is a spoken Finnish textbook designed to take you from total beginner to conversational.

You’ll learn grammar step by step while seeing everything in both spoken and written Finnish, so nothing feels confusing when you hear real conversations.

Stories in REAL Finnish

This book focuses on natural exposure and passive learning.

You’ll read learner-friendly stories written in:

  • spoken Finnish
  • written Finnish
  • English

This helps your brain naturally absorb vocabulary, sentence structures, and rhythm without feeling like heavy studying.

Why These Two Work So Well Together

When you combine the two, you get the best of both worlds:

  • Structure from the textbook
  • Natural exposure from the stories

And that’s when the magic starts happening.

You start understanding Finnish without constantly translating in your head.
You learn faster because the process actually feels enjoyable.

And when learning feels enjoyable, you stay consistent — which is the real secret to making progress.

If you’d like to check them out, you can grab both e-books here:

→ Get the e-books

Happy studying đŸ€
Sabrin

Let's learn some REAL Finnish, shall we?

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Months in Finnish (And an Easy Trick to Remember Them)


Hey my lovelies đŸ€

HyvÀÀ maaliskuuta! đŸŒ· Happy March!


March in Finnish is maaliskuu — and that made me think:

Why not turn this into a tiny seasonal vocabulary lesson?

Today we’re learning all the months in Finnish 👇


The Months in Finnish

  • tammikuu – January
  • helmikuu – February
  • maaliskuu – March
  • huhtikuu – April
  • toukokuu – May
  • kesĂ€kuu – June
  • heinĂ€kuu – July
  • elokuu – August
  • syyskuu – September
  • lokakuu – October
  • marraskuu – November
  • joulukuu – December


At first glance, they might look long and slightly intimidating.

But here’s something important (and very helpful):


The Pattern That Makes This Easy


As you probably noticed, all Finnish months end in –kuu.

That’s amazing news for your brain.

Instead of trying to memorize 12 long words, you only need to really focus on the first part:


  • tammi
  • helmi
  • maalis
  • huhti
  • touko
  • kesĂ€
  • heinĂ€
  • elo
  • syys
  • loka
  • marras
  • joulu


That’s actually how we learned them as kids at school in Finland.

We didn’t memorize 12 complicated words.
We memorized this rhythm-like list of shorter forms.

And suddenly it feels much easier, right?


Why Patterns Matter in Finnish


Finnish often looks difficult because words are long.

But once you start spotting patterns like this, the language becomes:

  • more logical
  • more predictable
  • much less overwhelming


And that’s when things start to click.

If you enjoy these small, clear explanations like this, you’d love my e-book The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish.


It’s a spoken language textbook that takes you from total beginner to conversational in both spoken and written Finnish — step by step.


You can grab the e-book belowđŸ‘‡đŸŒ

Your favorite Finnish textbook:

(It's in spoken Finnish!!)

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Why Spoken Finnish Sounds So Different (Beginner Cheat Sheet)


If you’ve ever learned Finnish from a textbook and then heard real Finns speak
 you’ve probably thought:


“Wait
 what language is THAT?”


And you’re not imagining it.


Spoken Finnish sounds very different from written Finnish — especially at the beginner level. Many learners feel confident reading, but completely lost in conversation. The reason? Textbooks usually teach kirjakieli (written Finnish), while real life runs on puhekieli (spoken Finnish).


So here’s a tiny beginner-friendly spoken Finnish cheat sheet to help you start hearing the patterns.

1. minĂ€ → mĂ€

Textbook: minÀ (I)
Spoken: mÀ

This is one of the first changes you’ll hear everywhere.

2. minĂ€ olen → mĂ€ oon

Textbook: minÀ olen (I am)
Spoken: mÀ oon

Not only does minÀ become mÀ, but olen often becomes oon in spoken Finnish.

3. sinĂ€ → sĂ€

Textbook: sinÀ (you)
Spoken: sÀ

Shorter, quicker, and much more common in everyday speech.

4. sinĂ€ olet → sĂ€ oot

Textbook: sinÀ olet (you are)
Spoken: sÀ oot

Again, everything gets simplified.

5. mikĂ€ sinun nimesi on? → mikĂ€ sun nimi on?

Textbook: mikÀ sinun nimesi on? (What is your name?)
Spoken: mikÀ sun nimi on?

Notice how:

  • sinun → sun
  • nimesi → nimi

Spoken Finnish removes extra endings and simplifies structure.

6. minun nimeni on Sabrin → mun nimi on Sabrin

Textbook: minun nimeni on Sabrin (My name is Sabrin)
Spoken: mun nimi on Sabrin

  • minun → mun
  • nimeni → nimi

Much lighter. Much faster. Much more natural in conversation.

Why This Matters


These small changes are exactly why so many learners feel confident reading Finnish
 but freeze when someone speaks to them.


The good news?


Spoken Finnish isn’t random. It has patterns. And once you start learning those patterns from the beginning, everything clicks.


That’s exactly why in The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 1, spoken Finnish is taught alongside written Finnish from day one — so you understand both. Together we learn to find those patterns and to understand them.


And yes, that course is also included inside the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle, which includes everything I’ve created to help you finally understand real-life Finnish.


If you want structured lessons, clear explanations, and step-by-step guidance — that’s exactly what we work on inside the courses.


Enrollment closes Sunday at 9 PM.


If you’re ready to finally understand what Finns are actually saying
 now is the time.



<3 Sabrin


PS. Use code FEBRUARYFUN to get 254€ OFF The Ultimate Master Bundle until Sunday.

Let's learn some REAL Finnish, shall we?

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

lazy learner bundle

The Ultimate Lazy Learner Bundle Is OUT 🎉


(And all Finnish courses are open until Sunday!)

Hey my lovelies,


It’s finally here 🎉


The Ultimate Lazy Learner Bundle is officially OUT, and all of my Finnish courses are now open too — but only until Sunday.


And this time, I want to talk to a very specific type of learner.

👉 Normal people.
👉 Busy people.
👉 Tired people.
👉 Lazy people.


Because honestly
 most of us don’t have hours every day to sit down and study grammar tables. And that’s exactly why I created this bundle.



đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź Learn Finnish the easy way

If you’ve ever thought:

  • “I don’t have time to study every day.”
  • “I’m tired of memorizing grammar rules.”
  • “I just want Finnish to start sounding natural.”



then this is for you.


The idea behind this bundle is simple:


✹ You learn better when learning feels easy and fun.


When learning feels enjoyable, you stay consistent.
And consistency is what actually makes you improve.


This is the exact rule I’ve followed in my own language learning — and honestly, I’m sure it’s the reason I’ve been able to learn so many languages myself.



🎧 Your own mini Finnish Netflix + Podcast


The Ultimate Lazy Learner Bundle is built around passive, natural learning.

You don’t need to sit at a desk. You can learn:

  • on a walk đŸš¶â€â™€ïž
  • at the gym đŸ‹ïžâ€â™€ïž
  • while driving 🚗
  • while cooking 🍝
  • or even while resting or taking a nap 😄


Inside the bundle you get:


🎧 Stories in Real Finnish — Audio book + text book


→ your Finnish podcast

Listen to natural spoken Finnish and follow along with the text.


đŸ“ș Learn Real Finnish by Listening


→ your Finnish Netflix

Short, easy-to-follow listening lessons designed to train your ear naturally.


All materials include:
✅ spoken Finnish
✅ written Finnish
✅ English translations
✅ transcripts and subtitles


Just 5 minutes a day is enough to start making progress.


No pressure. No heavy studying. Just exposure, repetition, and natural learning.


And honestly — it doesn’t get much better than this.



💛 Learn Finnish in a way that makes you come back


The key to truly learning a language is learning it in a way you actually enjoy.
Because when it’s fun, you keep coming back.

That’s the motto I built this bundle around — and I’d love for you to try this method with me.


👉 Register for the Ultimate Lazy Learner Bundle here:

https://sabrinthefinnishteacher.com/l/bundle/730290/the-ultimate-lazy-learner-bundle



📚 All courses are open too (until Sunday)


If you prefer a more structured approach, all of my other courses are open right now as well, including The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 1 & 2, where we go step by step through both spoken and written Finnish from the very beginning.


👉 See all available courses & bundles here:
https://sabrinthefinnishteacher.com/l/dashboard


⏰ Enrollment closes on Sunday, and the courses won’t reopen again for a while.



Thank you for learning Finnish with me — and welcome to the lazy way of learning đŸ‡«đŸ‡źâœš


<3 Sabrin

Grab The Lazy Learner BundleđŸ‘‡đŸŒđŸ’™



EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

Valentine’s Day in Finland Isn’t Really About Romance — It’s About Friendship


If you’re spending Valentine’s Day in Finland for the first time, you might notice something a little surprising.


There are fewer candlelit dinners. Less pressure to buy roses. And much less focus on couples.


That’s because in Finland, February 14th isn’t really Valentine’s Day in the traditional sense.


💛 YstĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivĂ€ — Finland’s Friend’s Day


In Finland, the day is called YstĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivĂ€, which literally means Friend’s Day.


Instead of celebrating romantic love, Finns celebrate friendship. People send messages to friends, classmates, coworkers, and family members. Children make cards for their friends at school, and you might even notice cafés and companies using the word ystÀvÀ (friend) instead of anything romantic.


Of course, couples celebrate too — but the feeling is different. It’s softer and more inclusive. There are fewer expectations and less pressure.


More than anything, it’s simply a reminder to appreciate the people in your life.


đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź A Very Finnish Kind of Love


This tradition actually says a lot about Finnish culture.


Friendship in Finland is often quiet but deeply loyal. Finns may not always express emotions openly, but when someone is your friend, they truly mean it. Relationships tend to be steady, reliable, and long-lasting — even if they’re not always loudly celebrated.


In many ways, this reflects Finnish communication as well: simple on the surface, but meaningful underneath.


đŸ—Łïž Useful Finnish Phrases for YstĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivĂ€


If you’re in Finland on February 14th, here are a few phrases you might see — or want to use yourself:


  • HyvÀÀ ystĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ! — Happy Friend’s Day!
  • Ihanaa ystĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ! — Have a lovely Friend’s Day!
  • Kiitos kun olet ystĂ€vĂ€ni. — Thank you for being my friend.


Learning small cultural details like this helps you understand not just the language, but the mindset behind it — which is exactly why learning Finnish through real-life usage makes such a difference.


✹ A Little Update


My Finnish courses will be opening very soon, and this time I’m especially excited because my brand new Lazy Learner Bundle will be available for the first time ever.


If you’ve been wanting to learn Finnish in a way that feels realistic, manageable, and designed for busy people who don’t want to spend hours memorising grammar rules, this bundle was created exactly for you. I’ll be sharing more details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox if you want early access.


You can check out my other courses by clicking my logo at the top left.



HyvÀÀ ystĂ€vĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ 💛


<3 Sabrin

laskiaispulla

Why Are These Whipped Cream Buns Everywhere in Finland Right Now? (What Is Laskiainen?)


If you’ve been in Finland in February, you may have noticed something suddenly appearing everywhere in cafĂ©s and supermarkets:


big, beautiful whipped cream filled buns.


They look amazing — and they taste even better😋


These buns are called laskiaispulla, and the reason you’re seeing them everywhere is because Finland celebrates Laskiainen in February (this year on February 17th).


So what exactly is Laskiainen, and why do Finns eat these buns?

❄ What Is Laskiainen?

Originally, Laskiainen was connected to preparing for spring and hoping for a good harvest. Traditionally, people would go sledding, and according to old beliefs, the longer your sled ride was, the better your flax crop would grow later in the year.


Today, Laskiainen is much simpler — and much more fun.


Many families and friends go sledding together, enjoy winter activities outdoors, and afterwards eat laskiaispulla together.


A traditional laskiaispulla is a soft cardamom bun filled with whipped cream and either:

  • almond paste, or
  • jam.


And yes
 Finns have very strong opinions about which one is better.

đŸ€ Should You Try Laskiaispulla?


If you haven’t tried one yet, I highly recommend it. They taste ridiculously good.


You can find them almost everywhere during Laskiainen season, from supermarkets to cafés. Personally, I think the café versions are usually the best.


For many people learning Finnish, moments like this are also where language starts to feel real. Food traditions, seasonal celebrations, and everyday habits are a big part of understanding how Finnish is actually used in daily life.


This is one of the things I love most about teaching Finnish — language and culture always go together. When you understand traditions, food, and everyday conversations, the language becomes much more alive.

laskiaispulla



laskiaispulla


One happy Sabrin!


đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź Learning Finnish Through Culture and Real-Life Language

If you want to learn Finnish through real-life situations, culture, and spoken Finnish dialogues (not just textbook sentences), my Finnish courses will be opening again very soon.


This time, I’m also releasing a brand new bundle called the


✹ Ultimate Lazy Learner Bundle ✹


It’s designed especially for busy (or honestly, just normal) people who don’t always have time or energy to sit down and memorize grammar rules.


The bundle includes:

🎧 audio stories you can listen to like a Finnish podcast
đŸ“ș fun videos that work like your own mini Finnish Netflix
📕 two e-books with learner-friendly stories in both spoken and written Finnish


The idea is simple: you can learn while commuting, walking, or at the gym — and naturally improve your listening skills without forcing yourself to study.


If memorizing grammar rules isn’t your thing, or you just want more exposure to real Finnish, this might be exactly what you need.


Courses are opening very soon.

<3 Sabrin

Check out my spoken Finnish courses!đŸ‘‡đŸŒđŸ’™


The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

What 8,173 Finnish Lessons Taught Me About Learning Finnish


I’ve taught 8,173 one-on-one Finnish lessons.
Yep — eight thousand. 😳


When that number really sank in, it made me stop and think about what all those lessons have actually taught me as a Finnish teacher — and more importantly, what they’ve taught me about how people truly learn Finnish.


There are a few patterns that show up again and again. No matter the student, the background, the native language, or the goals — these things consistently make the biggest difference.


So here are the three biggest lessons I’ve learned after more than 8,000 private Finnish lessons.



💡 1. Start learning spoken Finnish from day one

Not after “you finish the basics.”
Not after years of textbook studying.
From day one.


Spoken Finnish is the language people actually use in everyday life. If you wait too long to get familiar with it, everything suddenly feels confusing later — even if your grammar is technically good.


Learning spoken Finnish early helps your ear, your confidence, and your ability to actually understand real conversations.



💡 2. Learn grammar — but in a practical way

Grammar isn’t the enemy.
It helps you build clear, understandable sentences and express yourself properly.


But grammar needs to be connected to real spoken language — not just abstract rules on paper. When you understand how grammar works in real sentences and real speech, it suddenly becomes useful instead of overwhelming.


Good grammar supports communication. It shouldn’t block it.



💡 3. Start speaking immediately

You don’t need to be perfect to start speaking.
You need to start speaking to become better.


Confidence comes from using the language, making mistakes, hearing yourself speak, and slowly getting more comfortable. Waiting until you “feel ready” usually just delays progress.


The sooner you start speaking, the faster everything clicks into place.



⏱ What a great Finnish lesson actually looks like

If I were to design a 45-minute Finnish lesson, it would look something like this:


đŸ—Łïž First 15 minutes: Conversation
Getting comfortable using the language and activating what you already know.

📚 Next 15 minutes: Grammar (spoken + written Finnish)
Understanding how the language really works and how to use it naturally.

🎧 Last 15 minutes: Speaking & listening exercises in spoken Finnish
Training your ear and your mouth to real, natural Finnish.


This exact structure is what I followed when I built all of my courses.


I took everything I learned from those 8,000+ private lessons — the mistakes students make, the breakthroughs they experience, the patterns that keep repeating — and turned it into clear, structured courses that anyone can access.


Knowledge that used to be scattered, hard to find, or only available in private lessons now lives in one place.


My goal has always been simple:

  • Help you actually understand Finns in real life
  • Help you speak Finnish with confidence
  • Not just memorise rules



📌 Want to explore the courses?

At the moment, my courses are currently closed — but you can already explore the course options, read about the bundles, and see what might be right for you for the next opening.


That way, when the doors open again, you’ll already know exactly what you want.


👉 You can explore all courses and bundles here



I hope this gave you a little insight into how I teach — and why my courses are built the way they are.


<3 Sabrin

Grab one of my e-books!đŸ’™đŸ‘‡đŸŒ


Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Small but Mighty Finnish Vocab Lesson: Talking About Parts of a Month

Last night I was lying in bed, a little restless, planning my upcoming travels and the week ahead — and suddenly it hit me:

Oh my god
 it’s already the end of January.
How did that happen so fast?! 😅

That thought immediately reminded me of something that so many Finnish learners struggle with (honestly
 almost everyone at some point):

👉 How to say at the beginning of a month, in the middle of a month, and at the end of a month in Finnish.

So that gave me the idea for today’s Small but Mighty Finnish vocab lesson đŸ’Ș
Let’s fix this once and for all.

📅 How to talk about parts of a month in Finnish

The structure is always:

âžĄïž Month in the genitive + a time word

Once you learn this pattern, you can use it with any month.

đŸŒ± At the beginning of the month

kuukauden + alussa

Example:
✅ tammikuun alussa
→ at the beginning of January

⚖ In the middle of the month

kuukauden + puolivÀlissÀ

Example:
✅ tammikuun puolivĂ€lissĂ€
→ in the middle of January

🌙 At the end of the month

kuukauden + lopussa

Example:
✅ tammikuun lopussa
→ at the end of January

đŸ—“ïž Quick reminder: the months in Finnish

Just in case you want a little refresher (you’re not alone — these take time to stick 😄):

  • tammikuu – January
  • helmikuu – February
  • maaliskuu – March
  • huhtikuu – April
  • toukokuu – May
  • kesĂ€kuu – June
  • heinĂ€kuu – July
  • elokuu – August
  • syyskuu – September
  • lokakuu – October
  • marraskuu – November
  • joulukuu – December

💡 Tip: Notice how all the months end in -kuu.
When we learned the months in school as kids, we often memorised them without the ending — just: tammi, helmi, maalis, huhti
 and so on. It can really help with memorising them ✹

And that’s it for today’s small but mighty vocab lesson 💙
Hopefully you learned something new and useful that you can start using right away.


See you in the next lesson!

<3 Sabrin

Check out my spoken Finnish courses!đŸ‘‡đŸŒđŸ’™


The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

Different Ways to Say “Hi” in Finnish (And When to Use Each One)

Let’s start with something simple — but very practical:
different ways to say “hi” in Finnish, and when to use each one.

Because yes
 Finns actually greet each other in more ways than just moi 😉

If you’re learning Finnish, knowing these small everyday details makes a huge difference in sounding natural and understanding real conversations.

👋 1. Moi

The classic. The safe one. The everyday greeting.

You can use moi:

  • with friends
  • at work
  • in shops
  • when meeting someone for the first time
  • basically
 everywhere 😄

It works for both hi and bye.

If you only learn one greeting in Finnish — make it moi.

😊 2. Hei

Very similar to hello in English.

Hei sounds slightly more kirjakieli or polite than moi, and you’ll often hear it:

  • in customer service
  • in slightly more formal or neutral situations

It’s still completely normal in everyday spoken Finnish, especially in certain regions.

😎 3. Moro

Casual, friendly, and relaxed.

You’ll hear moro a lot:

  • between friends
  • in casual environments
  • especially in spoken language

It feels a bit like saying hey in English.

đŸ€ 4. Morjesta

A friendly, slightly playful greeting — basically a longer version of moro.

Morjesta is often used:

  • in casual conversations
  • when you want to sound warm and approachable
  • especially in spoken Finnish

It feels very natural and very Finnish.

đŸ€ 5. Terve

A neutral and widely used greeting.

Terve works well:

  • in both spoken and written Finnish
  • in casual and semi-formal situations
  • when you want to sound friendly but clear

You’ll hear this across Finland and from many different age groups.

đŸ™‹đŸœâ€â™€ïž 6. Moikka

Fun fact: moikka is technically a bye —
but nowadays it’s very commonly used as both hi and bye.

You’ll often hear moikka:

  • between friends
  • in casual situations
  • when the vibe is friendly and relaxed

Think: warm, cheerful energy.

💕 7. Heippa

Heippa is also technically a bye, but just like moikka, many people use it as a hello too.

It feels:

  • super cute
  • warm and friendly
  • often slightly feminine (though anyone can use it!)

You’ll hear this a lot in casual conversations, especially when the mood is light and friendly.

💬 A Small Cultural Note

Finns don’t usually do long greeting rituals or small talk with strangers.
A simple moi with eye contact is more than enough — no need for extra enthusiasm 😄

If you enjoy learning these kinds of real-life Finnish details — not just textbook phrases — this is exactly the kind of thing we practice in my courses and e-books 💙

Spoken Finnish, natural expressions, and how people actually talk in everyday life.


<3 Sabrin

Grab one of my e-books!đŸ’™đŸ‘‡đŸŒ


Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Courses Closing in 2 Days — Which Finnish Course or Bundle Is Right for You?

Just a quick heads-up: all my courses are closing in 2 days (on Sunday Jan 11th at 9pm Finnish time) ⏳
So if you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your gentle reminder before the doors close again.

If you’re not sure which option is right for you, here’s a quick guide to help you choose 💙

đŸŒ± Total beginner or still building strong basics?

👉 The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 1

This is where you should start if you want:

  • clear, structured lessons
  • spoken Finnish from the very beginning
  • grammar explained in a simple way
  • lots of listening and speaking practice

Perfect if you’re starting from zero or still feel unsure about the basics.

→ Learn more about Ultimate Guide 1

💡 Want more than just one course?

You can save money with the Confident Beginner Bundle, which includes Guide 1 plus extra materials to strengthen your foundation and help you start speaking with confidence.

→ View the Confident Beginner Bundle

🚀 You know the basics and want to take the next step?

👉 The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 2

This is for you if you:

  • already know the basics of Finnish
  • want to finally speak more confidently
  • get confused by spoken Finnish vs. textbook Finnish
  • want to build more natural sentences

This is where Finnish really starts to feel usable in real life.

→ Learn more about Ultimate Guide 2

💡 Want a bigger learning path instead of just one course?

You can save money with the Next Level Bundle, which includes Guide 2 plus extra materials to help you move from basic Finnish to more confident, natural speech.

→ View the Next Level Bundle

🎧 You know Finnish but struggle to follow conversations?

👉 The Listening Course

Perfect if:

  • people speak “too fast” for you
  • you understand words but miss the meaning
  • you want to train your ear with real spoken Finnish
  • memorising grammar rules is not your cup of tea

This course focuses on improving comprehension and confidence in listening — and learning Finnish in a natural way, without even realising how much you’re learning.

→ Learn more about the Listening Course

💙 Want everything in one place?

👉 The Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle

This includes:
✹ all 3 courses
✹ 2 e-books
✹ 1 mini course
✹ 1 practical PDF guide

It takes you from total beginner to conversational spoken Finnish, step by step — and once you have it, you’ll never need to buy another Finnish course again.

There is also currently a discount available for the Master Bundle 👀

→ Grab the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle with the discount

No matter where you are in your Finnish journey, there is a path forward — and I’d absolutely love to help you take the next step 💙

Remember: courses close in 2 days, so don’t leave it until the last minute if you know you want to join.


<3 Sabrin

Let's learn some REAL Finnish, shall we?
EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

Did you know Finnish actually has “a” and “the”? 👀

(At least in spoken Finnish)

Let’s do a short spoken Finnish lesson today — one of those things that makes Finnish suddenly sound very different from textbook Finnish.

Because

did you know that spoken Finnish actually does have something like “a” and “the”? đŸ«Ł

Not officially.
Not in grammar books.
But in real life? Absolutely.

đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź “Articles” in spoken Finnish (kind of 👀)

In everyday spoken Finnish, you’ll hear these words all the time:

se – joku – yks

They don’t translate perfectly to the and a, but they function very similarly in natural, spoken language.

Understanding this will instantly make spoken Finnish sound less confusing — and your own Finnish much more natural.

🟩 se → like the

se is used when both speakers know what is being talked about.

Examples:

  • Se tyyppi oli tosi outo.
    → The guy was really weird.
  • MissĂ€ se kauppa on?
    → Where is the store?

In textbooks, you’ll usually just see:

MissÀ kauppa on?

But in real spoken Finnish?
Most people will say se kauppa.

🟹 joku / yks → like a / some / this

joku

Used when something is new, unknown, or not specific.

  • MĂ€ nĂ€in jonkun koiran tuolla.
    → I saw some / a dog there.

yks

Used when the thing is known to the speaker, but new to the listener.

  • Yks tyyppi soitti mulle eilen.
    → A / this person called me yesterday.

👉 yks is the spoken form of yksi and is extremely common in casual speech.

💬 Why this matters

This is one of those spoken Finnish details that:

  • instantly makes your Finnish sound more natural
  • helps you understand native speakers better
  • explains why spoken Finnish feels so different from what you learned first

And yes — this exact topic is taught and practiced properly in The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 2 💙
Not just explained, but actually used in real-life examples.

✹ Want to learn spoken Finnish properly?

If you want to go beyond textbook Finnish and understand how Finns actually speak, here are your options:


👉 The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish 2
Perfect if you already know the basics and want to sound more natural and confident.


👉 The Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle
Includes everything I’ve ever created — from total beginner to conversational spoken Finnish.


🎁 Right now, you can save €254 on the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle with a coupon code 💰
(All courses, e-books, mini course & PDF guides included.)

đŸ‘‰đŸŒ USE CODE NEWYEAR


This bundle is designed to take you from zero to conversational Finnish, step by step — and once you have it, you’ll never need to buy another Finnish course again.

Courses are currently open, but they will close on Sunday at 9pm (Finnish time).

If learning real Finnish has been on your list for a while, this is a great moment to start 💙

<3 Sabrin

Learn more REAL Finnish with:

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

New Year, New Finnish Goals — My Courses Are Now Open 🎉

If you made any New Year’s resolutions about finally learning Finnish, this might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for 👀✹

My Finnish courses are now open for the next 7 days, and to celebrate the new year, I’ve also created something completely new to help you save money 💙

For the first time ever, you can now choose between three different bundles, depending on where you are in your Finnish learning journey.

✹ Choose the bundle that fits YOU ✹


đŸ§± The Ultimate Foundations Bundle

Perfect if you want a full, structured path from beginner to confident Finnish.

Includes:

  • The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1
  • The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2
  • Stories in REAL Finnish e-book
  • Negative Verbs in Spoken Finnish PDF Guide


💰 Worth 704€
đŸ”„ Now only 497€


👉 Click here to grab the bundle

đŸŒ± The Confident Beginner Bundle

Best if you’re starting from zero and want strong basics + confidence in listening.

Includes:

  • The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1
  • The Listening Course (Learn REAL Finnish by Listening)
  • Stories in REAL Finnish e-book
  • Negative Verbs in Spoken Finnish PDF Guide


💰 Worth 556€
đŸ”„ Now only 397€


👉 Click here to grab the bundle

🚀 The Next Level Finnish Bundle

For you if you already know the basics and want to level up your real-life Finnish.

Includes:

  • The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2
  • The Listening Course (Learn REAL Finnish by Listening)
  • Stories in REAL Finnish e-book
  • Negative Verbs in Spoken Finnish PDF Guide


💰 Worth 556€
đŸ”„ Now only 397€


👉 Click here to grab the bundle

👑 The Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle (Still Available)

This is the bundle of all the bundles.

It includes every single learning material I’ve ever created and takes you from:

👉 total zero
👉 through all must-know grammar (spoken and written Finnish)
👉 real spoken language rules and vocabulary
👉 speaking and listening exercises
👉 homework
👉 and basically
 your own little Finnish Netflix đŸ‡«đŸ‡źđŸŽŹ


✹ Once you have this bundle, you’ll never need to buy another Finnish course again.


💰 Worth 853€
🎁 With code NEWYEAR → only 599€
⏰ Valid until the end of next week


👉 Click here to grab the Master Bundle with the discount


If learning Finnish has been sitting on your “one day I will” list for years,
this might be your sign to finally make it happen 💙


The courses are open for 7 days only, and the New Year prices won’t last forever.


Let’s make this the year Finnish finally clicks.


<3 Sabrin


PS. All bundles are also available with monthly payment plans.

Explore the new bundles:

EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

A Little Christmas Surprise🎁


I have a little Christmas present for you...🎊


To celebrate the holidays, I’m giving €300 off the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle — my most complete Finnish learning package. The catch? The coupon expires this Sunday, so it’s only available for a short time.


This bundle includes everything I’ve ever created to help you learn real, spoken Finnish, all in one place. It’s designed to take you from total beginner to confident, conversational Finnish — step by step, at your own pace.


What’s included in the Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle?

✹ 3 full courses
✹ 2 e-books
✹ 1 mini course
✹ 1 practical PDF guide


All focused on real-life Finnish, the kind people actually speak — not stiff textbook language.

If you’ve ever thought “I really want to learn Finnish properly one day”, this is the perfect moment. With this bundle, you’ll never need to buy another Finnish course again.


🎁 Your Christmas gift: €300 off
⏰ Valid until Sunday night


Use the code CHRISTMASPRESENT or click the link below:

đŸ‘‰đŸŒ Grab the Christmas deal 🎁


Grab it while it’s still available and start the new year with everything you need to finally understand and speak Finnish with confidence.


<3 Sabrin

Merry Christmas from Finland 🎄

A cozy look at how Finns celebrate Christmas — and how to say it in Finnish

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wanted to send you a warm holiday greeting đŸ€
This time of year can be busy and loud in many places, but in Finland it’s usually the opposite: calm, slow, and cozy.

Christmas in Finland: quiet, slow, and very home-centered

In Finland, Christmas is all about being at home, eating good food, and spending time with close family. There’s no rushing and usually no big parties — except on Boxing Day, when some people go dancing at Tapsan tanssit đŸ’ƒđŸœ.

Otherwise, Finnish Christmas is peaceful by design.

Very Finnish Christmas traditions 🎄

Some things you’ll almost always see during a Finnish Christmas:

  • Joulutortut, piparit, glögi, riisipuuro 💙
  • Joulusauna (of course — it wouldn’t be Christmas without it)
  • Christmas casseroles that strongly divide opinions
    (looking at you, porkkanalaatikko 😄)
  • Visiting the graveyard to light candles for loved ones
  • Spending time with family
  • Santa Claus visiting families with children
  • And often
 just silence, in the best possible way

That quietness isn’t awkward in Finland — it’s comforting.

Christmas Eve matters more than Christmas Day

Unlike in many countries, Finns celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve (December 24th).

That’s when:

  • the main Christmas dinner is eaten
  • gifts are opened
  • families gather together

Christmas Day (the 25th) is usually reserved for:

  • resting
  • visiting relatives
  • eating leftovers
  • doing absolutely nothing

Very on brand for Finland.

đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź How to say Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in Finnish

If you want to wish someone happy holidays in Finnish, here are the phrases you’ll hear and use most:

🎄 Merry Christmas
HyvÀÀ joulua!

🎊 Happy New Year
HyvÀÀ uutta vuotta!

✹ Both together
HyvÀÀ joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!

This longer version is especially common in Christmas cards and messages đŸ«¶đŸŒ

Thank you for being here, for learning Finnish with me, and for being part of this little community 💙 I’m so grateful for you.


However you spend the holidays, I hope you can enjoy them the Finnish way — slowly, calmly, and without pressure.


<3 Sabrin

Need some last-minute Christmas presents?🎄 I've got you!


Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to the Finnish Singular Partitive


If you’re learning Finnish, chances are you’ve already met one of its most confusing grammar topics: the singular partitive.

Today, let’s keep things short, practical, and beginner-friendly — nothing heavy, just something you can actually start using right away.



đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź When do we use the singular partitive?


1ïžâƒŁ With numbers or words of quantity

When you talk about more than one, or an unspecified amount, Finnish often uses the partitive.

Examples:

  • 1 auto → 3 autoa
    (3 cars)
  • 1 kissa → monta kissaa
    (many cats)
  • 1 vene → pari venettĂ€
    (a couple of boats)

This is one of the first places beginners run into the partitive — and yes, it feels strange at first.



2ïžâƒŁ As a direct object after a verb

This is where things often get confusing, because English doesn’t give us a clue.

In English, sometimes we have a little word that signals a case (like in → in JyvĂ€skylĂ€ → JyvĂ€skylĂ€ssĂ€).
But in sentences like “I speak Finnish” or “I’m eating blueberry pie”, there’s no indicator — yet Finnish still needs a case.

Examples:

  • MĂ€ juon kahvia.
    (I’m drinking coffee.)
  • SĂ€ katsot televisiota.
    (You’re watching TV.)
  • Me puhutaan suomea.
    (We speak Finnish.)

In many of these situations, Finnish uses the partitive object.



3ïžâƒŁ For the object in a negative sentence

This rule is thankfully very clear:

👉 The object of a negative sentence is always in the partitive.

Examples:

  • Mulla ei oo autoa.
    (I don’t have a car.)
  • MĂ€ en hae sua asemalta.
    (I won’t pick you up from the station.)
  • Mun Ă€iti ei syöny pizzaa eilen.
    (My mom didn’t eat pizza yesterday.)

No exceptions here — negative = partitive.



✍ How do you form the singular partitive?

To fully master this, you’d need to learn all the word types — but here’s a simple rule that will take you very far as a beginner.

1ïžâƒŁ Word ends in one vowel → add -a / -Ă€

  • auto → autoa
  • Helsinki → HelsinkiĂ€



2ïžâƒŁ Word ends in a consonant or two vowels → add -ta / -tĂ€

  • maa → maata
  • puhelin → puhelinta



3ïžâƒŁ Word ends in -e → add -tta / -ttĂ€

  • vene → venettĂ€



⚠ Important notes

  • Whether you use a or Ă€ depends on vowel harmony
  • Consonant gradation (KPT rule) does NOT apply in the partitive

If this still feels messy — that’s completely normal. Finnish cases start to make sense through repetition and exposure, not perfection.



Want to learn this properly, step by step?

Everything you just read is covered in depth in my beginner course The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1, as well as in my spoken Finnish textbook Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish.

You'll find them below!



💡 Is there something specific you’d like me to explain in a future blog post or newsletter?
Feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to take suggestions.


<3 Sabrin



Let's learn some REAL Finnish, shall we?


The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

❄ Black Friday Is Here: The Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle 384€ OFF


Hey my lovelies,


The moment so many of you have been waiting for is finally here — my Black Friday deal is officially LIVE starting today! I’ve hinted for weeks that something big was coming
 and here it is.


For the first time ever, I’ve bundled every single Finnish learning material I’ve ever created into one massive package:


✹ The Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle ✹


This bundle is your full roadmap from zero to confident, conversational Finnish — all focused on spoken Finnish (with the important parts explained in written Finnish too).


If you’ve ever wished you could start learning and never have to think about buying another Finnish course again, this bundle is exactly that.



đŸ”„ Black Friday Price


The full bundle is valued at €853, but for Black Friday only:


€384 off → Only €499


Or, choose 5-month installments: €99.9/month

(Yes — the discount applies to the payment plan too!)


Use code: BLACKFRIDAY


This deal includes all 3 courses, 2 e-books, PDF packs, listening practice — literally everything I’ve ever made to help you speak real, natural Finnish.



👇 Choose Your Option


One-time payment:
Click here to get the deal


Installments (5× €99.9):
Click here to get the deal


Or read more about the bundle:
Click here to read more



💙 PS. For my current students


If you’re already enrolled in The Ultimate Guide 1 or The Ultimate Guide 2, you’ll hear from me very soon with a special discount just for you.


Even though this Black Friday offer is mainly for new students (since it includes everything), don’t worry — I haven’t forgotten my dear old students either.


<3 Sabrin

My other courses are also open until Dec 3rd:


The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

❄ First Snow in Finland + A Cozy Finnish Reading Practice

(And
 Black Friday Sale Dates Announced! đŸ€©)


Hey my lovelies,

The very first snow has arrived here in Finland, and somehow it always feels like a small reset — a quiet moment before the deep winter begins. So today I wanted to share something simple, seasonal, and cozy to help you keep Finnish in your daily routine, even if life feels busy.


❄ Talvisanastoa — Useful Finnish Winter Vocabulary

Here are some essential winter words to get you into the seasonal mood:

  • ensilumi – first snow
  • rĂ€ntĂ€ – sleet
  • loska – slush
  • pipari – gingerbread cookie
  • joulutorttu – Finnish Christmas tart
  • lumihiutale – snowflake
  • pakkanen – freezing temperature
  • liukas – slippery
  • talvitakki – winter coat
  • pipo – beanie
  • hanskat – gloves
  • rukkaset – winter mittens
  • lumiukko – snowman
  • kaamos – polar night
  • halko – firewood
  • takkatuli – fireplace fire
  • joululaulu – Christmas carol


Feel free to copy or screenshot this list for your winter study sessions!



❄ Your Reading Practice in Puhekieli – Ensilumi

TÀnÀ aamuna mÀ herÀsin, avasin verhot ja nÀin ensilumen maassa. Se oli maaginen hetki. MÀ rakastan lunta! MÀ söin nopeesti aamupalaks ruisleipÀÀ ja join kahvia. Sitten mÀ juoksin ulos tekemÀÀn lumiukon. Ulkona oli vÀhÀn liukasta, mutta se ei haitannu. Mulla oli pÀÀllÀ paksu talvitakki, pipo ja rukkaset, ja vaikka oli pakkasta, mulla ei ollu kylmÀ. MÀ nautin pienestÀ pakkasesta. Kun mun lumiukko oli valmis, mÀ menin sisÀlle. MÀ istuin takkatulen ÀÀressÀ juomassa kuumaa kaakaota. Joululaulut soi taustalla. Ah, tÀtÀ fiilistÀ mÀ oon oottanu koko vuoden.

🇬🇧 English Translation

This morning I woke up, opened the curtains, and saw the first snow on the ground. It was a magical moment. I love snow! I quickly ate rye bread for breakfast and drank some coffee. Then I ran outside to make a snowman. It was a bit slippery outside, but I didn’t mind. I was wearing a thick winter coat, a beanie, and mittens, and even though it was below freezing, I wasn’t cold. I enjoyed the little bit of frost. When my snowman was ready, I went back inside. I sat by the fireplace drinking hot cocoa. Christmas songs were playing in the background. Ah, this is the feeling I’ve been waiting for all year.



✹ Black Friday Is Around the Corner

And one more thing you might want to mark on your calendar:
November 26th — my Black Friday sale begins. âšĄïž


For the first time ever, I’m putting all of my Finnish learning materials into one massive Ultimate Finnish Master Bundle — three full courses, two e-books, two PDFs
 everything I’ve ever created.


If you’ve ever wished you could get the whole roadmap in one place — the kind of package where you basically never have to buy another Finnish course again — this is the one.


Check out the bundle belowđŸ‘‡đŸŒ


More details coming very soon
 💙



<3 Sabrin

Never buy another Finnish course again:
EXAMPLE

Course Name

Course description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Coaching Name

Coaching description

example-author-image

Author Name

$XXX

Bundle Name

Bundle description

Courses: x Coaching: x Digital downloads: x

$XXX

How to Talk About the Weather in Finnish

If you’ve spent any time in Finland, you’ve probably noticed that talking about the weather is practically a national pastime. Whether it’s -20°C and snowing or a rare sunny day in June, Finns love commenting on it — and now you can, too!

So today I wanted to share a short and useful Finnish lesson you can use every single day: how to talk about the weather like a Finn.

Because let’s be real — talking about the weather is the most Finnish thing ever 😄


đŸŒ€ïž A few handy sentences:

On aurinkoista. = It’s sunny.
Sataa vettĂ€. = It’s raining.
On kylmĂ€. = It’s cold.
On viistoista astetta. = It’s fifteen degrees.
Millanen sÀÀ siellĂ€ on tĂ€nÀÀn? = How’s the weather over there today?


⚠ Common mistakes to avoid:

❌ Se sataa / Se on aurinkoista
✅ Leave out se! Just say Sataa or On aurinkoista.
→ In Finnish, we don’t use “it” when talking about the weather.

❌ Astetta on viistoista
✅ On viistoista astetta.
→ The word order matters! We start with on (there is).

❌ Forgetting how to ask about the weather
✅ Try saying: Millanen sÀÀ siellĂ€ on tĂ€nÀÀn?
→ Literally: “What kind of weather is there today?”


That’s it — a small, simple Finnish weather check-in đŸŒŠïž


Next time you text your Finnish friends or talk about the weather, try using these!


P.S. I’m already planning something exciting for later this month — stay tuned!


Ihanaa viikkoo!
Have a lovely week!


<3 Sabrin

Some more ways to improve your Finnish:

Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Spoken language verbs FREE intro

In this course you will learn basic verb conjugation in the spoken language in present and past tenses.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

FREE

HyvÀÀ IsÀnpÀivÀÀ! (+ Learn REAL Finnish by Listening Closing Tonight!)

Hey my lovelies 💙

Today is Father’s Day in Finland — IsĂ€npĂ€ivĂ€!

So, let’s start with a little Finnish lesson for the day 👇

💬 How to Say “Happy Father’s Day” in Finnish

👉 “HyvÀÀ isĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ!” = Happy Father’s Day!

Let’s break it down:

  • hyvÀÀ means “good” or “happy” — it’s in the partitive case, which is commonly used in Finnish for wishes and greetings.
  • isĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ comes from isĂ€ (father) + -n (the genitive ending for possession, like “’s”) + pĂ€ivĂ€ (day) → “father’s day.”

đŸ—Łïž Spoken Finnish Tip

The word isÀ often changes in puhekieli (spoken Finnish) to:

  • iskĂ€ 💙 (the most common spoken form — like “dad”)
  • isi (sweet or childlike — like “daddy”)
  • faija (slang, casual and fun)

However, the word isĂ€npĂ€ivĂ€ stays the same — even in spoken Finnish! đŸ«¶đŸŒ

So, hyvÀÀ isĂ€npĂ€ivÀÀ kaikille isille! — Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there! 💙

⏰ Last Chance to Join Learn REAL Finnish by Listening!

Before I go, I have an important reminder —
my course Learn REAL Finnish by Listening closes tonight at 9 p.m. ⏰


If you’ve ever felt like you know the words but still can’t quite understand Finns when they talk fast — this is the course that changes that.
Or maybe you know the grammar but struggle to actually get the words out in conversation — this is for you!


You’ll learn Finnish naturally by listening to real-life videos about Finland, with subtitles and transcripts that help you truly understand and hear how Finnish is spoken in everyday life.


🎧 You can even learn on the go — in podcast mode, at the gym, on the tram, or wherever you are.


👉 Click here to join Learn REAL Finnish by Listening


I can’t wait to see you inside, darlings 💙


HyvÀÀ isÀnpÀivÀÀ!

<3 Sabrin

Join The Listening course before it closesđŸ‘‡đŸŒ


Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

A New YouTube Video
 and Only 3 Days Left to Join The Ultimate Guide! ⏳

It’s been two months since I posted my very first YouTube video 😬

Yes
 life got in the way. And honestly — even though I loved filming that first video — the editing process was so exhausting alongside all my other work. I just didn’t have the energy to keep it up, and I slowly got demotivated to continue đŸ€„

So if you’ve been waiting for more YouTube videos from me — my warmest apologies 💙

I’m Back on YouTube! đŸŽ„

But good news
 I’ve finally gathered my strength and decided to give YouTube another try 😅

đŸ‘‰đŸŒ A new YouTube video is up! đŸ„ł
You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVJLVkmi80Y

To keep things a bit exciting, I’m not going to tell you what it’s about just yet đŸ€­
But I will tell you this: watch it before Sunday! 😉

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish – Closing in Just 3 Days! ⏳

And speaking of Sunday
 a quick reminder:
The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish (1 & 2) is closing in just 3 days — this Sunday at 9pm Finnish time!

If you’ve been wanting to

✅ Learn Finnish online in a structured, motivating way
✅ Start speaking Finnish with confidence
✅ Finally understand the difference between spoken and written Finnish
✅ Understand what Finns actually say in everyday life


then The Ultimate Guide is for you.

What Students Are Saying 💬

“Nothing seemed to work, until I discovered Sabrin’s perfect courses.”


“I’ve been on so many Finnish courses. This course is different! It puts spoken language in the center from the very beginning.”


“I’m stunned. I finally got that ‘Aha!’ moment with Finnish 😭 I thought it wouldn’t be possible.”

Ready for Your “Aha!” Moment? 💡

If you said yes, here’s how to join đŸ‘‡đŸŒ


1ïžâƒŁ The Ultimate Guide 1

– for total beginners


2ïžâƒŁ The Ultimate Guide 2

– if you already know the basics


You’ll learn real Finnish as it’s spoken in everyday life, not just textbook Finnish — and you’ll finally understand the grammar behind it, too.

Remember, registrations close this Sunday at 9pm Finnish time.
Don’t miss your chance to join — your “Aha!” moment with Finnish might be just around the corner 💙


See you inside,
<3 Sabrin

Join The Ultimate Guide before they closeđŸ‘‡đŸŒ

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

The Finnish Verb “KĂ€ydĂ€â€ — 3 Meanings You Need to Know đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź

+ The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish is closing in 5 days! ⏳


Did you know that the Finnish verb “kĂ€ydĂ€â€ means much more than just “to visit” or “to go and come back”?

This comes as a surprise to many Finnish learners — but actually, “kĂ€ydĂ€â€ is used in three different meanings in everyday life
 all the time!

Before we dive into them, a quick reminder:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish (1 & 2) registrations are closing in just 5 days!

If you join today, you’ll be speaking Finnish much more fluently by Christmas đŸŒČ

About The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish

The Ultimate Guide is a spoken Finnish grammar course — yes, even grammar is explained in spoken Finnish! 😍

It’s a series of interactive, structured lessons designed to give you the tools to:
✅ Speak naturally and confidently
✅ Understand real Finns when they speak
✅ Learn both puhekieli (spoken Finnish) and kirjakieli (standard Finnish) side by side


If you’re a total beginner → Register for The Ultimate Guide 1


If you already know the basics → Register for The Ultimate Guide 2


You’ll get lifetime access and a 14-day money-back guarantee ✅

The 3 Meanings of “KĂ€ydĂ€â€ đŸ„

1. To Visit / To Go and Come Back

This is the most common meaning — but it’s slightly tricky to translate, since kĂ€ydĂ€ doesn’t only mean “to go”; it includes coming back. That’s why it’s often translated as “to visit.”

Examples:

  • MĂ€ kĂ€yn nopee vessassa. → I’ll quickly go to the bathroom (and come back).
  • OotsĂ€ koskaan kĂ€yny Kiinassa? → Have you ever been to China?
  • Me kĂ€ydÀÀn Ă€itin luona huomenna. → We’re going to mom’s place tomorrow.

Puhekieli → Kirjakieli:
nopee → nopeasti
ootsĂ€? → oletko sinĂ€?
kĂ€yny → kĂ€ynyt
me kĂ€ydÀÀn → me kĂ€ymme

2. To Happen

Yes — kĂ€ydĂ€ can also mean “to happen.”
Not like “What’s happening downtown tomorrow?” but more like “What happened to you?”

Examples:

  • Miks sĂ€ itket? MitĂ€ kĂ€vi? → Why are you crying? What happened?
  • MĂ€ kaaduin eilen pyörĂ€llĂ€, mut mulle ei kĂ€yny mitÀÀn. → I fell off my bike yesterday, but nothing happened to me (I’m fine).

Puhekieli → Kirjakieli:
miks → miksi
mut → mutta
mulle ei kĂ€yny → minulle ei kĂ€ynyt

3. To Suit / To Work / To Accept

This one’s a bit trickier — but the examples make it clear.

Examples:

  • Hei, nĂ€hÀÀnks huomenna? KĂ€yks sulle kolmelta? → Hey, shall we see each other tomorrow? Does 3 o’clock work for you?
  • Toi paita kĂ€y sulle tosi hyvin! → That shirt suits you so well!
  • Äiti, mĂ€ meen ulos nyt! – Ei kĂ€y! → Mom, I’m going out now! – No, you’re not! (That’s not fine with me/I don't accept it)

Puhekieli → Kirjakieli:
nĂ€hÀÀnks? → nĂ€hdÀÀnkö?
kĂ€yks sulle? → kĂ€ykö sinulle?
toi → tuo
mĂ€ meen → menen

Why “KĂ€ydĂ€â€ Is So Useful

The verb kĂ€ydĂ€ is one of those Finnish words that pops up everywhere. Once you start recognizing its three main meanings — to visit, to happen, to suit/work — you’ll hear it constantly in everyday conversations.

Understanding how Finns actually use kĂ€ydĂ€ will make your listening and speaking feel much more natural — and it’s exactly the kind of real Finnish we cover in The Ultimate Guide courses.

See you inside 💙

<3 Sabrin

Join The Ultimate Guide before they closeđŸ‘‡đŸŒ

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

Introductions in Spoken Finnish – Part 2: Real-Life Dialogues (+ Course News!)

I hope you’ve had a lovely week! I’ve been getting so many messages asking when my Finnish courses are opening again — so I thought
 why not right now? đŸ„ł

This time, we’re doing things a little differently. Currently, only The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish (1 & 2) are open for registration. You can still add Learn REAL Finnish by Listening to your cart at checkout if you’d like to bundle it up.

If you’re a total beginner, start with:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

If you already know the basics, then go for:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

Registrations close next Sunday, so don’t wait up! ⏳
I’d love to see you inside 💙

Real-Life Introductions in Spoken Finnish đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź

In the last blog post, we looked at introductions in Finnish and how they look in spoken language (puhekieli) compared to written Finnish (kirjakieli).

Now it’s time for Part 2 — real-life dialogues!
These examples will help you see how Finns actually speak in everyday situations.

đŸ—Łïž Dialogue 1: Meeting for the first time

Puhekieli (spoken Finnish)
A: Moi! MĂ€ oon Laura.
B: Moi! Kiva nÀhÀ, mÀ oon Alex.
A: Hauska tutustuu! MistÀ sÀ oot kotosin?
B: MÀ oon Ranskasta, mut mÀ oon asunu HelsingissÀ jo pari vuotta.
A: Ai vitsi, kiva! OotsÀ tykÀnny?
B: Joo, tosi paljon — paitsi talvesta. 😅

Kirjakieli (standard Finnish)
A: Hei! MinÀ olen Laura.
B: Hei! Kiva nÀhdÀ, minÀ olen Alex.
A: Hauska tutustua! MistÀ sinÀ olet kotoisin?
B: Olen Ranskasta, mutta olen asunut HelsingissÀ jo pari vuotta.
A: Ai vitsi, kiva! Oletko tykÀnnyt/pitÀnyt?
B: Joo, todella paljon — paitsi talvesta. 😅

☕ Dialogue 2: Meeting someone at a cafĂ©

Puhekieli
A: Moro! Onks tÀÀ tuoli vapaa?
B: Joo joo, ota vaan.
A: Kiitti! MĂ€ oon Mia.
B: Moi! MĂ€ oon Sami.
A: Kiva tutustuu! KÀytsÀ usein tÀÀl?
B: No aina vÀlillÀ, tÀÀ on mun lempparikahvila.

Kirjakieli
A: Hei! Onko tÀmÀ tuoli vapaa?
B: Joo, ota vain.
A: Kiitos! MinÀ olen Mia.
B: Hei! MinÀ olen Sami.
A: Hauska tutustua! KÀytkö usein tÀÀllÀ?
B: No aina vÀlillÀ, tÀmÀ on minun lempikahvilani.

🎓 Dialogue 3: At a Finnish class

Puhekieli
A: Moi! OotsÀ uus tÀÀl kurssilla?
B: Joo, eka kerta tÀnÀÀn!
A: Kiva! MĂ€ oon Joonas.
B: Moi Joonas, mÀ oon Anna.
A: Hauska tutustuu!
B: Samoin!

Kirjakieli
A: Hei! Oletko sinÀ uusi tÀÀllÀ kurssilla?
B: Joo, ensimmÀinen kerta tÀnÀÀn!
A: Kiva! MinÀ olen Joonas.
B: Hei Joonas, minÀ olen Anna.
A: Hauska tutustua!
B: Samoin!

Why this matters

Finnish textbooks often teach you only the kirjakieli (standard Finnish), but everyday conversations happen in puhekieli — which sounds quite different!

Understanding both versions helps you:
✅ Feel confident speaking to Finns in real life
✅ Understand TV shows, podcasts, and everyday speech
✅ Sound natural — not robotic

That’s exactly what I teach in my courses.
You’ll learn Finnish the way Finns actually speak — while still mastering the grammar behind it.


Can’t wait to see you inside 💙

<3 Sabrin



Let's learn some REAL Finnish, shall we?

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

Introductions in Spoken Finnish (Puhekieli) đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź

Learn how to greet, introduce yourself, and meet new people the Finnish way!

In today’s post, we’re diving into a beginner-friendly lesson in spoken Finnish (puhekieli) — how to introduce yourself and greet someone naturally, just like Finns do in everyday life.

If you’ve studied Finnish before, you’ve probably learned the textbook versions like “Minun nimeni on
” or “Hauska tutustua.”
But here’s the thing — that’s not how Finns actually talk in real life.

So let’s make things more natural! Below you’ll find common introduction phrases in puhekieli (spoken Finnish), alongside their kirjakieli (written Finnish) equivalents and English translations.

Alright, here we go — or in Finnish: No niin
 😄

đŸ—Łïž Basic Introductions in Spoken Finnish

👋 Greetings

Moi! / Moikka! / Moro! / Terve!
(Hei! / Moi! / Terve!)
→ Hi! / Hello!

Miten menee? / MitÀ kuuluu?
(Miten menee? / MitÀ kuuluu?)
→ How’s it going? / How are you?

No moi!
(No hei!)
→ Well hi!

Moikka! Kiva nÀhÀ!
(Hei! Kiva nÀhdÀ!)
→ Hi! Nice to see you!

🙋 Introducing Yourself

MĂ€ oon [nimi].
(MinÀ olen [nimi].)
→ I’m [name].

Mun nimi on [nimi].
(Minun nimeni on [nimi].)
→ My name is [name].

MĂ€ oon kotosin [paikasta].
(Olen kotoisin [paikasta].)
→ I’m from [place].

MĂ€ asun [paikassa].
(MinÀ asun [paikassa].)
→ I live in [place].

MĂ€ opiskelen suomee.
(Opiskelen suomea.)
→ I’m learning Finnish.

❓ Asking About the Other Person

MikÀ sun nimi on?
(MikÀ sinun nimesi on?)
→ What’s your name?

MistÀ sÀ oot kotosin?
(MistÀ sinÀ olet kotoisin?)
→ Where are you from?

MissÀ sÀ asut?
(MissÀ sinÀ asut?)
→ Where do you live?

Kuinka kauan sÀ oot asunu Suomessa?
(Kuinka kauan olet asunut Suomessa?)
→ How long have you lived in Finland?

😊 Responding & Being Polite

Hauska tutustuu!
(Hauska tutustua!)
→ Nice to meet you!

Samoin!
(Samoin!)
→ Likewise! / Nice to meet you too!

Kiva nÀhÀ!
(Kiva nÀhdÀ!)
→ Nice to see you!

Ihana tavata vihdoin livenÀ!
(Ihana tavata vihdoin livenÀ!)
→ So nice to finally meet in person!

Olipa kiva jutella sun kaa!
(Olipa kiva jutella sinun kanssasi!)
→ It was so nice talking with you!

👋 Ending the Conversation

No, nÀhÀÀn!
(No, nÀhdÀÀn!)
→ Alright, see you!

Moikka! PidÀ hauskaa!
(Moikka! PidÀ hauskaa!)
→ Bye! Have fun!

Ollaan yhteyksissÀ!
(Ollaan yhteyksissÀ!)
→ Let’s keep in touch!

💬 What’s Next?

This was Part 1 of a mini-series on spoken Finnish for real-life conversations.
In the next post, I’ll share example dialogues in both spoken and written Finnish so you can see these phrases in action. đŸ€©

Stay tuned — and maybe start practicing these phrases out loud in the meantime!


<3 Sabrin

Already checked out my learning materials in spoken Finnish? If not, it's your homework to do sođŸ˜‰đŸ‘‡đŸŒ

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

Big News: My Finnish Courses Now Have AI-Generated Subtitles! 🎉

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend! I’m so excited to share some great news with you today — something that many of you have been asking for for a long time.

🎊 All my Finnish courses now have AI-generated subtitles! 🎊

They’re currently available in the following languages:

đŸ‡ŻđŸ‡” Japanese
đŸ‡·đŸ‡ș Russian
đŸ‡ș🇩 Ukrainian
đŸ‡«đŸ‡· French
đŸ‡Ș🇾 Spanish
🇹🇳 Chinese

Yay! đŸ„ł

I know that many of you don’t speak English as your first language, so this update will make learning Finnish much easier and more enjoyable. If you’re already enrolled in one of my courses, you’ll see the subtitles automatically — no extra steps needed!

Want subtitles in another language?

If your native language isn’t on the list, I’d love to hear from you! 💬
You can email me or message on Instagram to let me know which language you’d like me to add next.

Not enrolled yet?

No worries — my courses are currently closed, but they’ll be opening again soon! Once they do, you’ll be able to join and start watching all the video lessons with subtitles in your own language.

While you’re waiting, don’t forget that my e-books are always available. They’re a great way to start learning Finnish right away, especially if you want to get familiar with both spoken Finnish (puhekieli) and written Finnish (kirjakieli). You'll find them below!

Ihanaa sunnuntaita!
Have a lovely Sunday! 💙


<3 Sabrin

Cant wait for my courses to re-open? My e-books are always available for a download.


''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40

Negative verbs in spoken language

The same list of verbs and rules as in the free spoken language verbs intro course, but this time negatively.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€10

21 Essential Finnish Verbs Every Beginner Needs to Know

Learning Finnish can feel overwhelming at first — there are so many new words, endings, and grammar rules to remember. But if you focus on the most important words first, you’ll start to feel more confident much faster.

Today, I’ve put together a list of 21 must-know Finnish verbs that every beginner should learn. These are words you’ll hear and use constantly in everyday conversations.

Later, I’ll be posting a YouTube video where I’ll show you how to conjugate each verb, so you can see exactly how to use them in real sentences.

Here’s a tip:
You can make flashcards with these verbs or write a few example sentences in your notebook to help you remember them better.

The List: 21 Must-Know Finnish Verbs

  1. olla = to be
  2. odottaa = to wait
  3. tulla = to come
  4. mennÀ = to go
  5. katsoa = to watch, to look
  6. sanoa = to say
  7. tykÀtÀ = to like
  8. etsiÀ = to look for
  9. haluta = to want
  10. tietÀÀ = to know
  11. istua = to sit
  12. voida = can / to be able to
  13. maksaa = to cost, to pay
  14. ostaa = to buy
  15. nukkua = to sleep
  16. muistaa = to remember
  17. unohtaa = to forget
  18. ymmÀrtÀÀ = to understand
  19. löytÀÀ = to find
  20. puhua = to speak
  21. rakastaa = to love

What’s Next?

If you’d like me to cover specific topics in future blog posts, YouTube videos, or Instagram reels, just email me or send me a message on Instagram — I love hearing your ideas! 💙


And a little heads-up:
My Finnish courses are OPENING very soon! đŸ„ł


Now is the perfect time to check out the course descriptions so that when I send the official launch email, you’ll already know which one you want to enroll in.

đŸ‘‰đŸŒ Explore my Finnish courses here


And remember, my e-books and other learning materials are always available on my site, so you can start learning right away.


Ihanaa pĂ€ivÀÀ — have a wonderful day! 🌾


<3 Sabrin

Check out my learning materials


All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

I Finally Started a YouTube Channel! đŸŽ„đŸ‡«đŸ‡ź

I have some exciting news — I finally launched my YouTube channel! đŸ„ł

For the longest time, so many of you have asked me to start making YouTube videos. Until now, I’ve been super busy creating new Finnish courses, but since I finally have a little break (don’t worry, not for too long đŸ€«), I decided it was the perfect moment to begin.

I want to offer you something more structured than Instagram reels, but still quick, free lessons that you can easily follow. That’s exactly why I’m bringing my Finnish lessons to YouTube.

My First Video: The Forever Confusion Between “tai” and “vai”

👉 Watch it here

One of the most common struggles I see learners facing is understanding the difference between tai and vai. These little words can cause a lot of confusion, but once you get the logic, it will click into place.

In this first video, I break it all down for you step by step — so you can finally stop guessing and start using them confidently.

Why You Should Subscribe

On my channel, I’ll be teaching you REAL Finnish — the way we actually speak in daily life. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m all about helping learners move beyond stiff textbook Finnish and into the natural spoken language that Finns actually use.

So if you want:

  • Bite-sized Finnish lessons đŸ—Łïž
  • Clear explanations with real-life examples
  • Tips to sound natural and actually understand Finns from day one


then you’ll love what I’ve planned for YouTube! 💙

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe

so you don’t miss any upcoming lessons.

While You Wait for My Courses to Reopen


Right now, my full courses are closed — but you can still grab my e-books for self-study!

✹ Stories in REAL Finnish
Learner-friendly stories written in puhekieli, kirjakieli, and English. Perfect for practicing comprehension in a natural way.
👉 Check it out here

✹ Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish
A 367-page spoken language textbook that takes you from zero to conversational level — in all tenses.
👉 Get the guide here

I’m so excited to start this new YouTube journey with you, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the videos. 💙

Ihanaa viikkoo! đŸ„°
<3 Sabrin

Missed My Finnish Courses? Here’s How You Can Still Learn Finnish With Me


My online Finnish courses closed on Sunday — but if you didn’t make it in this time, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways for you to keep learning Finnish with me. Whether you’re a total beginner or already speaking at an intermediate level, I have resources that can help you improve your vocabulary, grammar, and confidence in speaking Finnish.



1. Take Private Finnish Lessons (1:1)


If you want a learning experience that’s fully tailored to your needs, my private Finnish lessons are the perfect choice. We can focus on:


  • Everyday spoken Finnish (puhekieli) so you can talk naturally like locals do
  • Grammar and sentence structure in standard Finnish (kirjakieli)
  • Pronunciation tips so you sound confident and clear
  • Real-life conversation practice to make speaking feel effortless


📅 Book a private Finnish lesson here and let’s start working on your Finnish goals.



2. Learn From My E-Books


If you prefer self-study, my e-books give you everything you need to practice Finnish at your own pace.


📖 The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish (367 pages)


Packed with texts, grammar explanations, and exercises that will take you from beginner to conversational level. The whole book is written in puhekieli and grammar is also explained in kirjakieli, so you learn both the Finnish you’ll hear on the street and the Finnish you’ll see in books.


📚 Stories in Real Finnish


A collection of learner-friendly stories written in spoken Finnish, written Finnish, and English. This unique format helps you practice reading comprehension, understand sentence structure, and naturally improve your speaking skills.

Read more about them or add them to your cartđŸ‘‡đŸŒ


''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Stories in REAL Finnish

Learner-friendly stories written in all spoken Finnish, written Finnish & English. For all levels.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€40



3. Read My Blog


Here on my Finnish language and culture blog, I share free tips, vocabulary lists, cultural insights, and grammar explanations. It’s a great way to keep learning in small, enjoyable doses.



4. Follow Me on Instagram for Free Mini Lessons


If you love short, practical lessons, come hang out with me on Instagram! I post daily Finnish tips, vocabulary, and exclusive spoken Finnish guides to help you make progress little by little.


đŸ“Č Follow me at @SabrinTheFinnishTeacher



Even though my courses are closed for now, there are so many ways we can keep learning together. 💛

If you have any questions about my lessons, e-books, or courses, you can always email me or shoot me a DM on Instagram — I’m always happy to help.


Ihanaa viikkoo! 🌾

<3 Sabrin


Why You Should Add Åland to Your Finland Bucket List đŸ‡«đŸ‡źâœš

If you're looking for a peaceful, stunning, and slightly off-the-beaten-path destination in Finland, I have the perfect travel tip for you: the Åland Islands.

I just spent almost 7 weeks exploring Åland this summer, and let me tell you – it has officially become my favorite place in all of Finland. Whether you're into nature, slow travel, cycling, or just relaxing by the sea, Åland is a must-see.

Let me walk you through my favorite spots in Åland, so you can start planning your own dreamy trip 🌿



🌊 What Are the Åland Islands?

The Åland Islands (Ahvenanmaa in Finnish) are an autonomous region of Finland located in the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Sweden. There are over 6,700 islands, though only around 60–80 are inhabited. The official language is Swedish, not Finnish – so unfortunately you won’t get to practise your puhekieli skills here – but it’s still very much a part of Finland, and 100% worth visiting.



My 3 Favorite Places in Åland 💙

1. Kökar – The Peaceful Island That Feels Like a Dream

Kökar is where I lived and worked for five weeks this summer, and I honestly fell in love with the place. It's small, wild, and peaceful – the kind of island that makes all your stress melt away the second you step off the ferry.

  • Super rocky landscapes
  • Forests that don’t even look like Finland
  • Red boat houses, countryside fields, cows
  • Wild deer and foxes everywhere!

There’s only one shop, a couple of cafĂ©s and restaurants, and no public transport, so the best way to get around is by bike (or the one local taxi 😄). It's small, remote, and absolutely magical.



2. The Main Island – For Cycling and Cute Towns

This is the largest island in the Åland archipelago and home to Mariehamn, the capital of Åland. It’s perfect for cycling – the roads are flat, the views are beautiful, and there are plenty of small towns and BnBs along the way.

Must-do’s:

  • Visit Mariehamn
  • Explore Kastelholm Castle
  • Stay at a countryside BnB for a peaceful night under the stars

This part of Åland is perfect for anyone who wants a balance between nature and comfort.



3. Sottunga – Finland’s Smallest Municipality!

Yes, this is officially Finland’s smallest municipality, and it’s such a gem. The island is only about 5 km long, but it's a gorgeous place for a quiet day trip.

We took the ferry from Kökar to Sottunga, spent 5 hours cycling around, and it was honestly one of the best days of the whole summer. You don’t need much here – just a bike, the sun, and the sea breeze.



Planning Your Åland Trip

If you love nature, calm vibes, and island-hopping adventures, Åland will steal your heart. It's one of those places that makes you slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the little things – like cows in the fields, sunset bike rides, and the smell of the sea.

Whether you go for a weekend or a couple of weeks, Åland is truly one of Finland’s hidden gems.



PS – My Finnish Courses Are Open (But Closing Soon!)

If you’ve been thinking about learning real Finnish – you know, the kind of Finnish people actually speak – now’s the time! All of my courses are open for enrollment, but only until Sunday.

✹ Learn more about my courses here: https://sabrinthefinnishteacher.com

Whether you're a total beginner or ready to level up, I’ve created something for you. And if you're not sure which one fits best, just email me or message me on Instagram – I’ll help you choose.



Have a lovely week – or as we say in puhekieli, ihanaa viikkoo! 💙



<3 Sabrin

Check out my learning materials


All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 1

These 30 structured lessons will teach you the essentials of Finnish in both spoken & written Finnish. We'll be covering the first 6 chapters of ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', and the last 5 chapters of the book will be covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 2''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

Want to Sound More Natural in Finnish? Don’t Skip This Tiny Trick

If you’ve ever felt like something’s a bit off when you try to speak Finnish – even when your grammar is technically correct – today’s tip is for you. And the best part? It’s a super simple change that can make your Finnish sound instantly more natural and native-like.

The Secret? Use Your Pronouns

Now, I know what you might be thinking:

"Wait
 Isn’t puhekieli (spoken Finnish) all about shortening things?"


And you’d be right – to an extent. But here’s where many learners get it wrong:

In puhekieli, we often don’t drop pronouns. In fact, using them is one of the easiest ways to sound more like a real Finn.

So instead of saying:

  • oon → say mĂ€ oon
  • mennÀÀn → say me mennÀÀn
  • teette → say te teette

Using the full subject pronoun (mĂ€, sĂ€, me, te, etc.) not only makes your Finnish flow better in casual conversations, but it also helps avoid confusion – especially when pronouns are required and can’t be left out.

Why This Works

Many students make the mistake of leaving out pronouns across the board, thinking that’s how all native Finns speak. But in reality, Finns drop words strategically – and not using pronouns often makes your speech feel incomplete or even unnatural.

By getting into the habit of always using pronouns, you’ll:
 ✅ Sound more fluent
 ✅ Avoid grammar slip-ups
 ✅ Understand native speech more easily
 ✅ Feel more confident in conversations

Want to Learn More REAL Finnish?

If you're ready to take your Finnish to the next level and speak more naturally, check out my learning materials – including my Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish courses and Listening Course – designed specifically to teach you spoken Finnish in a fun and relaxed way.


đŸ‘‰đŸŒ Explore my Finnish courses here


Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up your everyday conversation skills, I’ve got you covered.


Thanks for reading – and wherever in the world you are, I hope you're having a lovely day! 💙


Sabrin


My New Finnish Storybook Is Coming Out Next Week! 💙📚

A Little Something I Made Just for You

I’ve got some exciting news! My new e-book, ''Stories in REAL Finnish'', is ready for early access — and it’ll be out for everyone next week. 🎉

If you’ve ever struggled to find something fun (and not frustrating!) to read in Finnish, this book is for you. I created it because I kept seeing the same thing with so many students:

“I want to read in Finnish, but everything feels way too hard.”

What’s inside the book?

It’s a storybook made just for Finnish learners — full of short, simple texts that are interesting and useful. Each story comes in three versions:

  • đŸ—Łïž Spoken Finnish (puhekieli)
  • 📝 Written Finnish (kirjakieli)
  • 🇬🇧 English translation

You’ll see how Finnish really works in everyday life, not just in textbooks.

And when you read the stories out loud, you’re getting both input and output — which is the magic combo for learning a language. ✹

Why I Made This

I never recommend children’s books for learners, even though people often try them first. They seem simple, but the language is actually super complex and not very useful in real life. That’s why I wrote this book — something that’s actually helpful and easy to use.

Coming Next Week!

The book will be available next week, and I’ll share the link as soon as it’s out. I hope you’ll love reading these stories as much as I loved writing them!

And yes — my Grandma’s recipe book is still in the works too. I’ll let you know when that one’s ready 💙

Thanks for being here.


 Sabrin


Check out my learning materials


All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Negative verbs in spoken language

The same list of verbs and rules as in the free spoken language verbs intro course, but this time negatively.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€10

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

5 Everyday Phrases That Sound Totally Different in Spoken Finnish


If you've ever felt like you kind of understand Finnish—but then completely freeze when someone talks to you at normal speed—you're not alone.

One of the most common reasons learners struggle to understand native Finnish speakers isn’t complicated grammar
 it’s that spoken Finnish sounds nothing like what you learned in textbooks.

To help you bridge that gap, here are 5 everyday phrases that sound totally different in real, spoken Finnish.


1. MitĂ€ sinĂ€ teet? → MitĂ€ sĂ€ teet?

Meaning: What are you doing?

In casual Finnish, “sinĂ€â€ almost always becomes “sĂ€,” and the phrase becomes shorter and more relaxed.
👉 Textbook: MitĂ€ sinĂ€ teet?
👉 Real life: MitĂ€ sĂ€ teet?


2. En tiedĂ€ → EmmĂ€ tiiĂ€

Meaning: I don’t know

This one changes a lot and sounds super casual in real life. You'll hear:
👉 EmmĂ€ tiiĂ€
👉 Or just a mumbled "mmĂ€ tiiĂ€"


3. Minulla on nĂ€lkĂ€ → Mulla on nĂ€lkĂ€

Meaning: I’m hungry

The word minulla becomes mulla in spoken Finnish. This kind of change is everywhere:
👉 Minulla on nĂ€lkĂ€ → Mulla on nĂ€lkĂ€


4. MinĂ€ menen kotiin → MĂ€ meen kotiin

Meaning: I’m going home

Spoken Finnish loves simplicity. MinÀ becomes mÀ, menen becomes meen, and suddenly you sound much more native:
👉 MĂ€ meen kotiin


5. En jaksa → EmmĂ€ jaksa

Meaning: I can’t be bothered / I don’t feel like it

This phrase is used in spoken Finnish all the time, and even just knowing it makes you sound so much more native. Now say it the real way:
👉 EmmĂ€ jaksa


How to Actually Learn Spoken Finnish

Most Finnish courses focus only on the official, written version of the language. The problem? That’s not what you hear on the street, on TV, or in everyday life.

In all my Finnish courses, I teach both spoken and written Finnish side by side. From the very first sentence, you’ll see how they differ—so nothing takes you by surprise.


Here’s what I recommend if you’re serious about fluency:


✅ Want structure, clear explanations, and real-life grammar?
Take The Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish (1 or 2 depending on your level).
→ Level 1 is for beginners.
→ Level 2 is for learners who already know the basics and want to level up.

✅ Want to absorb Finnish naturally, like a child learns?
Add the Listening Course to your routine. It’s packed with short, real-life videos about Finnish life—great for passive learning and getting used to how Finnish really sounds.


Together, these two create the perfect balance between structure and real-world language.


📚 Want to learn more?
Check out my Ultimate Guide to Real Finnish courses and Listening Course here — they’re made for learners who want to understand and speak Finnish the real way.


Celebrate Vappu Like a Finn: Finland’s Joyful Spring Festival🎈

Vappu is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Finland, marking the arrival of spring and bringing people together in colorful and joyous festivities. It's a fun-filled tradition celebrated by Finns all across the country. Curious about how Finns celebrate Vappu? Let’s dive into this unique Finnish tradition, which combines great food, lively celebrations, and a sense of community.

What Is Vappu?

Vappu is traditionally celebrated on April 30th and May 1st, and while it’s officially recognized as Labour Day, most Finns don’t think of it as a political event. Instead, it's all about the fun, the festivities, and the celebration of spring.

In Finland, Vappu marks the end of a long, cold winter, and Finns embrace it with open arms and big smiles. It’s a chance to gather with friends, enjoy tasty treats, and celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.

How Finns Celebrate Vappu

The celebrations start on April 30th, with the entire country coming alive with color, laughter, and excitement. Here’s what you can expect when Vappu rolls around:

1. University Overalls and Graduation Hats

One of the most distinctive features of Vappu is the high school graduation hats, that everyone who's graduated high school proudly wear. The rest of the year those hats just gather dust in some dusty box on the closet floor, but on this one day of the year, they shine. Alongside the graduation hats, university students wear their colorful overalls.

2. Traditional Finnish Foods

During Vappu, food plays an essential role. People enjoy munkki, a Finnish donut that’s similar to the classic ring-shaped donut but just dusted with sugar. Another must-have treat is sima, a homemade, sweet, and fizzy drink made from lemons, sugar, and yeast, which is enjoyed by all ages during Vappu celebrations.

3. Picnics and Outdoor Celebrations

Vappu celebrations often include outdoor picnics with friends and family. Finns flock to parks, squares, and even beaches, bringing along delicious snacks, sima, and good company. The colorful decorations (like paper streamers) make the whole scene even more festive and cheerful.

4. A Time to Be Happy

Above all, Vappu is about being happy, and it’s no surprise that Finland is often ranked as the happiest country in the world. With the energy of Vappu, Finns embrace the spirit of fun, togetherness, and celebration, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Vappu: More Than Just a Holiday

For many Finns, Vappu isn't just about the party; it's also a time to honor the season change, connect with nature, and celebrate the country’s traditions. Whether it's enjoying a picnic in the park, dancing with friends, or just savoring a delicious donut, Vappu is an experience that brings people together and reminds them of the simple joys in life.

If You Want to Experience Vappu Like a Finn, Start with the Language!

Would you like to know more about Vappu and other Finnish traditions? My course “Learn REAL Finnish by Listening” offers you an immersive and fun way to learn about Finnish culture and language, while having a great time! You can start speaking and understanding Finnish in no time – and you won’t even realize how much you're learning because it’s all part of the fun.

Don't miss out on learning about Finland’s quirky traditions while improving your Finnish skills! If you’re already part of my course, you might have already heard me mention Vappu in the lessons!

Why You’ll Love Learning Finnish with Me

Learning Finnish can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be boring! I offer courses that make learning fun, engaging, and, most importantly, effective. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to improve your skills, my courses are designed to get you speaking and understanding Finnish quickly.

Fun, practical lessons help you learn real-life Finnish that you can use right away! My listening course is the perfect way to get started, as it teaches you Finnish naturally, through real conversations and situations – just like a Finn would speak.

Final Thoughts: Celebrate Vappu & Learn Finnish with Me!

Now that you know how Finns celebrate Vappu, I hope you’re feeling inspired to join in on the fun! Celebrate like a Finn, enjoy the delicious treats, and get ready to experience the spirit of Finnish culture.

If you're interested in learning Finnish in a way that feels natural and exciting, you’re in the right place! Check out my courses today and get ready to speak real Finnish while learning about Finland’s fascinating culture. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be celebrating Vappu in Finland next year!

Ihanaa Vappua! (Happy Vappu!)


<3 Sabrin

Check out my learning materials


All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.

''Your Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish'' e-book

Spoken language (puhekieli) textbook with 11 chapters, 11 texts in puhekieli (spoken language), kirjakieli (written language) and English, 367 pages, nearly 300 exercises. Grammar rules in puhekieli & kirjakieli. From total zero to conversational.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€60

Negative verbs in spoken language

The same list of verbs and rules as in the free spoken language verbs intro course, but this time negatively.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€10

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

3 Finnish Easter Traditions You Might Not Know About đŸŁđŸ‡«đŸ‡ź


Today, I wanted to share more of a cultural insight than a language lesson. Since it’s Easter time, I thought it would be the perfect moment to tell you about some lovely and unique Finnish Easter traditions that I absolutely adore. If you’re learning Finnish or just interested in Finnish culture, you’re in for a treat!

Let’s go through three Easter traditions in Finland — how many of these do you already know?

And if you’re enrolled in my "Learn REAL Finnish by Listening" course, you might already recognize these from the Lempijuhlat Suomessa video!

1. Virpominen – Finnish Easter “Trick-or-Treating” (but cuter!)

Virpominen is something kids do on Palm Sunday (which was last Sunday!). If you saw me dressed as a witch on Instagram, now you know why! đŸ§™â€â™€ïž

Here’s how it works:

  • Kids pick willow twigs and decorate them with colorful feathers, ribbons, and other cute bits.
  • Then they dress up as witches, bunnies, or cats and go door to door, offering their decorated twigs in exchange for candy, chocolate eggs, or even money.
  • Before handing over the twig, they recite a sweet little rhyme — kind of like a song-spell combo.

It’s such a lovely tradition, and I especially love the message behind it: you have to do something to earn your treats. The more effort you put into collecting and decorating twigs, the more goodies you get! 😉

đŸŽ„ Watch a video of virpominen here

2. MĂ€mmi – The most controversial Finnish dessert?

Ah, mĂ€mmi. 😅 Let’s just say it’s not everyone’s favorite, but it’s definitely iconic!

It’s a traditional Easter dessert made from rye flour, and it’s served cold — usually with milk or vanilla custard. It has a very distinct look (some say it resembles... well... poop), and it’s not very sweet.

But don’t judge it too quickly — some people love it! And the only way to know where you stand is to give it a try. Are you team mĂ€mmi or nah?

3. Rairuoho – The Cutest Indoor Grass Ever

Rairuoho is basically Easter grass that you grow inside your home. You plant it on little plates or trays a few days before Easter, and once it sprouts, you decorate it with tiny chicks, bunnies, and chocolate eggs. đŸ„đŸ°đŸ«

The name is a bit funny — "ruoho" means grass, but "rai"? We’re not totally sure what it means. Let’s just call it rai-grass for fun!

It’s super easy to do, very decorative, and such a cozy little Easter tradition.

Learn Finnish While Learning About Finland đŸ‡«đŸ‡źâœš

These kinds of fun, very Finnish things are exactly what I love to include in my courses — especially in "Learn REAL Finnish by Listening".

Other videos in the course include:

  • A day at the mökki (summer cottage)
  • Mushroom and berry picking in the forest with mummo
  • Baking a pancake together
  • And so much more!

It’s a fun and natural way to immerse yourself in Finnish language and culture, even from afar.

✹ Want to Join Us?

If you're interested in learning Finnish through real-life, spoken language and getting to know the culture at the same time — my courses are made for you!

📅 Registrations close on Sunday, so don’t wait too long.

👉 Click here to learn more and join us

Ihanaa pÀÀsiĂ€istĂ€ – Have a lovely Easter! 💐🐣



<3 Sabrin

Check out my learning materials


All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.

Learn REAL Finnish by listening

Your own mini Finnish Netflix! A series of fun short videos spoken in PUHEKIELI. Option to watch with or without subtitles + transcripts available in ALL: puhekieli, kirjakieli & English. The perfect lazy day learning method, and a fabulous way to practise your listening skills while enjoying the process!

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€149

The Ultimate Guide to REAL Finnish 2

These 24 structured lessons will take your beginner knowledge of Finnish onto a whole new level in REAL Finnish. We'll be covering the last 5 chapters of my spoken Finnish e-book ''Your Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish'', the 6 are covered in ''The Ultimate Guide To REAL Finnish 1''.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

€297

Spoken language verbs FREE intro

In this course you will learn basic verb conjugation in the spoken language in present and past tenses.

Sabrin Hietanen

Sabrin Hietanen

FREE

Feeling Stuck While Learning Finnish? Here's How to Boost Your Progress

Learning Finnish can feel like a rollercoaster. One day you're mastering new vocabulary, and the next you're asking yourself:


Why am I not learning? Why do I feel stuck? Why am I not improving?


You're not alone. Every Finnish language learner hits that wall at some point. But don’t worry—there are ways to move past it. Here are my top tips to make faster progress in Finnish, even when it feels like nothing is working.



1. Listen to Finnish—Really Listen

One of the best ways to learn Finnish naturally is by improving your listening comprehension. But passive listening isn’t enough.

Try this:

  • Watch Finnish videos with English subtitles (or subtitles in your native language)
  • While you're reading the subtitles, actively listen how those things are being said
  • Pause and ask yourself, How would I say that in Finnish?
  • Focus on intonation, sentence structure, and word choices


This kind of active listening is what helps your brain start to recognize how things should sound in Finnish.

🎧 Want to practice listening with real-life Finnish? Check out my course: Learn REAL Finnish by Listening


2. Stop Translating Word to Word

Literal translations are one of the biggest traps for learners. Finnish grammar is very different from English, and direct translations often don’t make sense.

For example:

"I feel sick" in English = Mulle tuli paha olo in Finnish (literally: “A bad feeling came to me”).

If you translate everything literally, you'll miss the natural flow of the language. The solution? More listening and more exposure to real spoken Finnish (puhekieli).

3. Copy How Us Native Finns Speak

Think about how babies learn their first language—by copying what they hear. You can do the same.

Here’s how:

  • Mimic what you hear in podcasts, videos, or conversations
  • Repeat common phrases out loud
  • Use them in your own speaking practice
  • Active listening helps with this as well

This helps you speak Finnish more fluently and naturally, even if you’re not fully confident yet.

4. Speak Finnish—Even If You Make Mistakes

I know it’s scary. You want to wait until you speak perfectly, but that day might never come unless you start speaking now.

Mistakes are part of the process. Your accent and errors are signs of growth—not failure. Most Finns are just happy (and impressed!) that you’re learning such a complex language. We don't expect perfection from you.

So go for it. Speak, even if it’s clumsy at first. Speaking Finnish regularly will boost your confidence faster than anything else.

5. Use Real-Life Finnish Materials in Your Routine

The best way to tie all these tips together is to use authentic Finnish listening materials.

That’s exactly why I created my course:
đŸŽ„ Learn REAL Finnish by Listening

You’ll get:

  • Short videos of me speaking in spoken Finnish (puhekieli) about life in Finland
  • Subtitles and transcripts in puhekieli, kirjakieli, and English
  • Perfect for improving your Finnish comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking confidence
  • Perfect for learning the differences between puhekieli (spoken Finnish) and kirjakieli (written Finnish)

Whether you’re stuck, plateauing, or just want a fresh way to learn Finnish more effectively, this course can help you move forward.

âžĄïž Ready to Get Unstuck?

Try applying just one of these tips to your daily Finnish practice and see how it changes your progress.

And if you’re ready for real, everyday Finnish that helps you finally feel confident and natural, check out the course here. 💙



<3 Sabrin