Learning Finnish

0 – Absolute Beginner
You don’t know Finnish yet – and that’s totally okay! Every journey starts somewhere.

A1 – Beginner

At this level, you can introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and understand basic phrases used in daily life. You might need others to speak slowly, but you can still manage simple conversations with some help.

A2 – Elementary

Now you can understand and use common expressions related to everyday topics like shopping, work, or family. You can hold short conversations and describe simple things about your life.

Remember, learning a new language takes time and requires practice!

How to get started?

Our tips to take this first major step on your Finnish language journey are:

• Speak daily: talk to yourself or a language partner. Try to think in Finnish about simple things.
• Listen & repeat: make use of the resources listed below to get familiar with the language and practice by repeating and mimicking the pronunciation
• Grow your vocabulary: get familiar with the resources offering vocabulary, create flash-cards, post-it notes, learn phrases and not just singly words.
• Keep it simple: write a simple Finnish journal, try to read short signs/texts or food labels in Finnish
• Use Finnish in real life: order coffee, pay for lunch or greet your teachers in Finnish, change your phone language to Finnish

Resources to make take the leap:

• Superalkeet: practical, plenty of exercises, general language skills.
• Suomi sujuu: practice speaking and reading with others, interesting posts in blog
• Sinä osaat! Videos with clear content about learning Finnish, easy Finnish that you can follow with basic skills
• Suomen kielen alkeet: easy-to-use page, covering speaking, vocabulary, listening…
• YLE kielikoulu: wide selection of programmes, fun way of learning, offers insight into Finnish culture, focus on vocabulary, listening, spoken language, culture. May require use of VPN or being in Finland to view.
• Finnish with Anna: Youtube channel, easy to use, clear explanations, pronounciation, vocabulary, grammar.
• Uusi kielemme: a lot of material, vocabulary, grammar…
• Opeton: app, focus on speaking Finnish
• Babadada: focus on vocabulary
• Tieteen termipankki: extensive, easy to use, vocabulary.

B1 – Intermediate

You can manage everyday conversations, describe experiences, and express opinions on familiar topics. Navigating everyday life in Finland? You’ll do just fine.

B2 – Upper-Intermediate

You understand complex topics and can hold detailed discussions. Talking to native speakers feels natural!

How to grow from B1 to B2, and onwards?

• Practice discussions: Express and justify opinions.
• Expand vocabulary: Read news, watch Finnish media.
• Think in Finnish: Minimize translating in your head.
• Engage with complex content: Books, podcasts, technical topics (eg. your field of study for instance).
• Refine accuracy: Improve grammar, idioms, and nuances.
• Debate & argue: Express detailed viewpoints on various topics.

Resources to keep growing:

• Puhutsä suomee? practice spoken Finnish, view practical videos about concrete situations, includes exercises
• Revita: tech friendly way to practice writing, grammar, and vocabulary
• Asiointi Suomessa: examples of concrete situations, practical videos, easy to use
• Learn Finnish Podcast: listening, reading, culture, possible to listen when preferred.
• Meillä päin Suomea: introduction to dialects, information about different areas in Finland

C1 – Advanced

You can understand complex texts, express yourself fluently and spontaneously, and use language flexibly in social, academic, and professional settings. You can write well-structured and detailed texts, but you may still struggle with subtle nuances and idiomatic expressions.

C2 – Proficiency

You understand virtually everything you hear or read, summarize complex information, and express yourself with effortless fluency and precision. You can differentiate subtle shades of meaning, even in abstract or nuanced discussions.

How to reach C1 and C2?

• Read challenging texts (literature, research papers, essays).
• Improve writing structure (use clear organization & transitions).
• Learn idioms, tone, and nuances to sound more natural.
• Practice debating & summarizing complex topics.
• Engage with high-level materials (philosophy, technical texts, advanced discussions).
• Adapt your tone & style for different contexts.
• Challenge yourself with persuasive writing & deep analysis.
• Immerse in the language daily—think, speak, and interact like a native.

Make use the resources below to master the language!

• Hyvä virkakieli: easy to use and high level content, focus on grammar and writing
• Kielibuustin kirjallisuuspodcast: podcasts for advanced learners, high level content and material