What Language Do They Speak in Finland?

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Finland

Finland is a Northern European nation known for its stunning natural landscapes, including vast forests, thousands of lakes, and the unique phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. It boasts a high quality of life, ranking consistently well in terms of education, healthcare, and overall citizen wellbeing. With a culture that emphasizes equality and innovation, Finland has made significant strides in technology and sustainable living.

Languages Spoken

In Finland, Finnish is the predominant language, spoken by approximately 86.94% of the population. It belongs to the Uralic language family and is the first language of the majority of Finnish citizens. Swedish is the second official language, used by around 5.26% of the populace, mainly in the coastal areas and the Åland Islands. Russian is also spoken by about 1.7% of residents, reflecting Finland’s historical connections with Russia and the immigrant community. Together, these languages reflect Finland's cultural diversity and its historical ties with neighboring countries.

Different Languages Spoken in Finland

Language data last updated 2024 est. from Wikipedia - Finland

LanguageUsage
Finnish86.94%
Swedish5.26%
Russian1.7%
Note: The total may add up to more than 100% as people may speak multiple languages

Useful Finnish Phrases

Learn these phrases if you're planning on traveling to Finland

Hei

Hello

A simple and common greeting in Finnish.

Kiitos

Thank you

Used to express gratitude.

Kuinka paljon tämä maksaa?

How much does this cost?

Helpful for shopping and dining situations.

Missä on...?

Where is...?

You can fill in with locations like the restroom (vessa) or hotel (hotelli) to ask for directions.

Anteeksi, en ymmärrä.

Sorry, I don't understand.

Useful when clarifying language barriers or misunderstandings.

Learn to speak Finnish

Interested in speaking Finnish in Finland? Using Lingocat you can learn the basics of the language and start speaking in no time with the help of our AI Language Tutors.

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