EUROPE

Discovering Finnish Wisdom: A Journey Through Proverbs

Nestled in Northern Europe, Finland is a land of stunning contrasts. From the serene beauty of the Lakeland maze to the vibrant urban pulse of Helsinki, the country offers a rich assortment of natural and cultural wonders. Its iconic Northern Lights, pristine forests, and countless lakes create a fascinating scenery that captivates visitors and locals alike.

Finnish, the primary language spoken by the majority, is part of the Uralic language family, unlike its Scandinavian neighbors. With influences from Swedish, Russian, and indigenous Sami languages, Finnish showcases a rich diversity. Finnish sounds very rhythmic, full of long vowels and consonants. It’s known for being tricky to learn because of its many cases (words change endings depending on meaning). Dive deeper into the Finnish Language.

Swedish is spoken in Finland mainly because Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden for about 600 years (from the 12th century to 1809). During this time, Swedish became the language of administration, the courts, and the elite. Education and literature were mostly in Swedish too. Even after Finland became a Grand Duchy under Russia (1809–1917), Swedish remained important for a long time.

When Finland gained independence in 1917, both Finnish and Swedish were made official languages to respect this heritage.

Finnish Proverbs with English translations

Finnish proverbs, known as “sanonnat,” have deep roots in the nation’s agricultural past and folklore. These sayings encapsulate the practical wisdom, resilience, and unique worldview of the Finnish.

A Glimpse into Local Humor: To go where the fence is lowest

One interesting Finnish proverb is “Mennä sieltä missä aita on matalin“ (Finnish). This translates to “To go where the fence is lowest,” which means to take the easiest route or the path of least resistance. This saying humorously captures a pragmatic aspect of the Finnish mentality, emphasizing efficiency and practicality in everyday tasks. For example, if someone finds a simple solution to a complex problem, they might say, “He really went where the fence is lowest.”

A Glimpse into Local Humor: If you can’t be good, at least be quiet

Did you know that in Finland, there’s a proverb that goes, “Jos et voi olla hyvä, ole edes hiljaa“? Translated to English, it means, “If you can’t be good, at least be quiet.” This humorous insight into Finnish culture showcases the importance placed on silence and restraint, even in challenging situations.

Finnish Proverbs with English translations

Classic Finnish Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom from the Land of 1000 Lakes

• “Ahneella on paskainen loppu.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: The greedy one meets a dirty end.
  • Meaning: Greed often leads to one’s downfall.

• Aika parantaa haavat. (Finnish)
  • Translation: “Time heals all wounds.”
  • Meaning: This proverb is a comforting reminder that emotional pain will lessen with time. It’s often used to console someone going through a difficult period.

• Ei kannata huutaa ennen kuin on poikaa. (Finnish)
  • Translation: “Don’t shout before you have the boy.”
  • Meaning: It’s wise not to count your chickens before they hatch. Wait for the actual results before celebrating or boasting.

• “Hätä keinot keksii.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Necessity invents the means.
  • Meaning: Desperation breeds creativity.

• “Hyvä kello kauas kuuluu, paha vielä kauemmas.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: A good bell is heard far, a bad one even farther.
  • Meaning: Bad news travels faster than good.

• “Itku pitkästä ilosta.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Crying follows long joy.
  • Meaning: Great joy is often followed by disappointment.

• “Joka kuuseen kurkottaa, se katajaan kapsahtaa.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: He who reaches for the spruce, falls on the juniper.
  • Meaning: Overambition may lead to failure.

• “Kaikki on suhteellista.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Everything is relative.
  • Meaning: Context matters in every situation.

• “Kaikki tiet vievät Helsinkiin.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: All roads lead to Helsinki.
  • Meaning: Helsinki is the center of everything in Finland.

• “Kel’ onni on, se onnen kätkeköön.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: He who has happiness, should hide it.
  • Meaning: Happiness invites envy; better to keep it private.

• “Kellä onni on, se onnen kätkeköön.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: The lucky should hide their luck.
  • Meaning: Don’t flaunt good fortune—it might bring trouble.

• “Kyllä routa porsaan kotiin ajaa.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Frost drives the piglet home.
  • Meaning: Adversity brings people back to their roots.

• “Laiska töitään luettelee.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: A lazy person counts his tasks.
  • Meaning: The idle often overstate their effort.

• “Minkä taakseen jättää, sen edestään löytää.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: What you leave behind, you’ll find in front.
  • Meaning: Your past mistakes will catch up with you.

• “Niin metsä vastaa kuin sinne huudetaan.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: The forest answers as you shout.
  • Meaning: You get what you give.

• “Nopeat syövät hitaat.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: The fast eat the slow.
  • Meaning: Act quickly or be left behind.

• “Oma koti kullan kallis.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: One’s own home is worth gold.
  • Meaning: There’s no place like home.

• “Paha saa palkkansa.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Evil gets what it deserves.
  • Meaning: Wrongdoing never goes unpunished.

• “Parempi pyy pivossa kuin kymmenen oksalla.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Better a hazel grouse in the hand than ten on the branch.
  • Meaning: A sure thing is better than uncertain prospects.

• “Rehellisyys maan perii.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Honesty inherits the land.
  • Meaning: In the long run, honesty wins.

• “Sitä saa, mitä tilaa.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: You get what you order.
  • Meaning: Actions bring consequences.

• “Työ tekijäänsä kiittää.” (Finnish)
  • Translation: Work praises its maker.
  • Meaning: Good work speaks for itself.

Discover more Finnish proverbs.

Classic Swedish Proverbs

• “Alla dagar är inte syskondagar.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Every day is not a day among siblings.
  • Meaning: Life isn’t always harmonious or easy.

• “Bättre små steg framåt än stora steg bakåt.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Better small steps forward than big steps backward.
  • Meaning: Progress is progress, even if it’s slow.

• “Den som spar, han har.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: He who saves, has.
  • Meaning: Saving resources leads to security.

• “Det är inte hur man har det, utan hur man tar det.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: It’s not how life is, but how you take it.
  • Meaning: Attitude matters more than circumstances.

• “En gång ingen gång.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: One time is no time.
  • Meaning: A single occurrence doesn’t mean much.

• “Ensam är stark.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Alone is strong.
  • Meaning: Independence can be powerful.

• “Fattig men ärlig.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Poor but honest.
  • Meaning: Integrity matters more than wealth.

• “Friskt vågat, hälften vunnet.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Boldly ventured, half won.
  • Meaning: Taking risks leads to success.

• “Kasta inte ut barnet med badvattnet.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
  • Meaning: Don’t lose something good while getting rid of the bad.

• “Man saknar inte kon förrän båset är tomt.” (Swedish)
  • Translation: You don’t miss the cow until the stall is empty.
  • Meaning: You only appreciate things once they’re gone.

Scroll through more Swedish proverbs.

The Role of Proverbs in Everyday Finnish Conversation

As we conclude our exploration of Finnish proverbs, it’s clear that these sayings offer profound insights into the country’s heritage. Finnish proverbs reflect values such as perseverance, community, and a deep connection to nature, encapsulating the essence of this remarkable nation.

Whether you are a traveler, a language enthusiast, or a cultural explorer, Finnish proverbs provide a meaningful way to engage with the country’s soul. They remind us of the universal truths that bind us together, despite our different backgrounds.

So, as you reflect on these proverbs, let them inspire you with the wisdom and warmth of Finland.