Learning a new language often means diving into its cultural context, and one of the most fascinating aspects of any language is its idiomatic expressions. Finnish, with its unique linguistic structure and rich cultural background, is no exception. Understanding idioms is crucial for achieving fluency, as these phrases often carry meanings that go beyond their literal interpretation. In this article, we will explore some common Finnish idioms, their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversation.
Mennä yli hilseen
One of the first idioms you’ll encounter is “mennä yli hilseen”, which translates to “to go over one’s head.” This expression is used when something is too complicated or difficult to understand. For example, if someone explains a complex mathematical theory to you, and you don’t grasp it, you can say:
“Se menee ihan yli hilseen” (That goes completely over my head).
Heittää lusikka nurkkaan
Another interesting idiom is “heittää lusikka nurkkaan”, literally meaning “to throw the spoon in the corner.” It is used to refer to someone who has passed away. Although it might sound a bit harsh, it’s a common way to talk about death in a more softened manner. For instance:
“Vanha naapuri heitti lusikan nurkkaan viime viikolla” (The old neighbor passed away last week).
Olla puulla päähän lyöty
The idiom “olla puulla päähän lyöty” translates to “to be hit in the head with a tree.” This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely surprised or shocked. If you receive unexpected news, you might say:
“Olin ihan puulla päähän lyöty, kun kuulin uutisen” (I was completely shocked when I heard the news).
Jäädä kiinni rysän päältä
If someone is caught red-handed, the Finns say “jäädä kiinni rysän päältä”, which literally means “to get caught from the fish trap.” This idiom is used when someone is caught in the act of doing something wrong. For example:
“Hän jäi kiinni rysän päältä varastamassa” (He was caught red-handed stealing).
Vetää herne nenään
The expression “vetää herne nenään” translates to “to pull a pea into one’s nose.” This idiom is used when someone gets offended or upset over something trivial. For example, if someone takes a joke too seriously, you might say:
“Älä nyt vedä hernettä nenään, se oli vain vitsi” (Don’t get upset, it was just a joke).
Nähdä metsä puilta
The idiom “nähdä metsä puilta” means “to see the forest from the trees.” It is used to describe someone who can see the big picture and not get lost in the details. For instance:
“Hän osaa nähdä metsä puilta ja keskittyä olennaiseen” (He can see the forest from the trees and focus on what’s essential).
Kuin kaksi marjaa
The Finnish expression “kuin kaksi marjaa” translates to “like two berries,” and is used to describe two people who look very similar, much like the English expression “like two peas in a pod.” For example:
“He ovat kuin kaksi marjaa, en erota heitä toisistaan” (They are like two berries, I can’t tell them apart).
Olla kuin ellun kana
Another colorful idiom is “olla kuin ellun kana”, which means “to be like Ellu’s chicken.” This phrase is used to describe someone who is completely carefree and relaxed. You might hear:
“Hän on aina kuin ellun kana, ei huolta huomisesta” (She is always as carefree as Ellu’s chicken, not a worry in the world).
Ei olla jäniksen selässä
The idiom “ei olla jäniksen selässä” translates to “not being on a rabbit’s back.” This phrase is used to indicate that there is no rush or urgency. If someone is feeling stressed about a deadline, you might say:
“Ei olla jäniksen selässä, meillä on vielä aikaa” (We are not in a rush, we still have time).
Tehdä kärpäsestä härkänen
The Finnish expression “tehdä kärpäsestä härkänen” means “to make a bull out of a fly,” akin to the English idiom “to make a mountain out of a molehill.” It is used to describe someone who is making a big deal out of something trivial. For instance:
“Älä tee kärpäsestä härkästä, se ei ole niin iso juttu” (Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, it’s not that big of a deal).
Olla kuin seipään niellyt
The idiom “olla kuin seipään niellyt” translates to “to be like one who has swallowed a stake.” This phrase is used to describe someone who is very stiff or formal in their demeanor. If someone is acting overly serious, you might say:
“Hän oli juhlissa kuin seipään niellyt” (He was as stiff as a board at the party).
Jäädä toiseksi
Another useful idiom is “jäädä toiseksi”, which means “to be left second.” This is used when someone comes in second place or fails to win. For example:
“Vaikka hän yritti kovasti, hän jäi toiseksi kilpailussa” (Even though he tried hard, he came in second in the competition).
Olla sormi suussa
The idiom “olla sormi suussa” translates to “to have a finger in one’s mouth.” This phrase is used to describe someone who is confused or doesn’t know what to do. If someone is struggling to solve a problem, you might say:
“Hän oli ihan sormi suussa, kun kone meni rikki” (He was completely at a loss when the machine broke down).
Vetää hatusta
The expression “vetää hatusta” means “to pull out of a hat,” similar to the English idiom “to pull something out of a hat.” It is used to describe coming up with an idea or solution spontaneously. For example:
“Hän veti idean hatusta ja se toimi loistavasti” (He pulled the idea out of a hat, and it worked brilliantly).
Juosta pää kolmantena jalkana
The idiom “juosta pää kolmantena jalkana” translates to “to run with the head as the third leg.” This colorful expression is used to describe someone who is running very fast or in a hurry. If someone is rushing to catch a bus, you might say:
“Hän juoksi pää kolmantena jalkana ehtiäkseen bussiin” (He ran as fast as he could to catch the bus).
Olla naama norsunvitulla
A particularly vivid idiom is “olla naama norsunvitulla”, which translates to “to have a face like an elephant’s vagina.” This phrase is used to describe someone who looks very grumpy or unhappy. For example:
“Hän oli koko päivän naama norsunvitulla” (He was grumpy all day).
Olla kusi sukassa
The idiom “olla kusi sukassa” means “to have urine in one’s sock.” This expression is used to describe someone who is nervous or anxious. If someone is worried about an upcoming exam, you might say:
“Hänellä on kusi sukassa ennen tenttiä” (He is very anxious before the exam).
Ei ole koiraa karvoihin katsominen
The Finnish expression “ei ole koiraa karvoihin katsominen” translates to “one should not look at the dog’s fur.” This phrase is akin to the English idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” and is used to remind people not to judge others based on their appearance. For example:
“Ei ole koiraa karvoihin katsominen, hän on todella mukava” (Don’t judge a book by its cover, he is really nice).
Olla pihalla kuin lumiukko
The idiom “olla pihalla kuin lumiukko” translates to “to be outside like a snowman.” This phrase is used to describe someone who is completely clueless or out of the loop. If someone doesn’t understand what’s going on in a meeting, you might say:
“Hän oli ihan pihalla kuin lumiukko kokouksessa” (He was completely clueless in the meeting).
Heittää veivinsä
Lastly, the idiom “heittää veivinsä” translates to “to throw one’s crank.” This phrase is another way to say that someone has died. It’s a bit more colloquial than “heittää lusikka nurkkaan.” For example:
“Hän heitti veivinsä viime vuonna” (He passed away last year).
Understanding and using these idioms will not only enrich your Finnish vocabulary but also give you deeper insights into Finnish culture and ways of thinking. Idioms often carry historical and cultural connotations, making them a window into the soul of the language. By incorporating these expressions into your everyday conversations, you will sound more like a native speaker and better appreciate the nuances of the Finnish language.
Learning idioms can be challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun. So next time you’re practicing Finnish, try to incorporate some of these idiomatic expressions and see how they enhance your communication skills. Happy learning!
