adj Uncommon

Finnish

FIHN-ihsh

Finnish (adj) means relating to Finland, its people, or its language. Example: “She enjoys Finnish design and minimalist furniture.”

adj

Relating to Finland, its people, or its language.

"She enjoys Finnish design and minimalist furniture."

noun

The Finno-Ugric language spoken by most people in Finland.

"Finnish is famously difficult for English speakers to learn."

How to use Finnish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to Finland, or the Finnish language itself.

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Etymology

From Finn plus the adjective-forming suffix -ish.

Synonyms

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Suomi

Related words

Finland suomi

Frequently asked questions

What does “Finnish” mean?

The word “Finnish” means relating to Finland, its people, or its language. In plain terms, relating to Finland, or the Finnish language itself.

How do you pronounce “Finnish”?

“Finnish” is pronounced FIHN-ihsh (/ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Finnish” in a sentence?

Here is “Finnish” used in a sentence: “She enjoys Finnish design and minimalist furniture.”

What part of speech is “Finnish”?

Depending on how it is used, “Finnish” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “Finnish” a common word?

“Finnish” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Finnish” have?

“Finnish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Finland, its people, or its language.

What is the difference between Finnish and Finn?

Finnish is an adjective and the name of the language relating to Finland, as in "Finnish culture" or speaking Finnish, while Finn is the noun used for a person from Finland. Finnish describes things or the language, while Finn describes a person.

Is Finnish related to other Scandinavian languages like Swedish or Norwegian?

No, Finnish is a Finno-Ugric language, which places it in a different language family from the Scandinavian languages Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, which are Germanic languages. Despite Finland's geographic and cultural ties to Scandinavia, its language has a distinct linguistic origin.

Why is Finnish capitalized?

Finnish is capitalized because it is a proper adjective and noun derived from the country name Finland, referring to its people, culture, or language.

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