Which Languages Are Spoken in Finland?
Finland has two official national languages: Finnish and Swedish. Finnish is by far the most widely spoken language, while Swedish is particularly common along parts of Finland’s western and southern coast and in the Åland Islands.
Finland is also a multilingual country. Several Sámi languages have official status in parts of northern Finland, and English is widely understood, especially among younger people and in larger cities.
What Are the Official Languages of Finland?
Finland has two official national languages:
Finnish — The main language spoken by the majority of the population.
Swedish — The second national language and the native language of a minority of Finns.
Both languages have official status, meaning that public authorities and government services must provide services in Finnish and Swedish under Finnish law.
Is Finnish the Main Language in Finland?
Yes. Finnish is the dominant language in Finland, spoken as a first language by the large majority of the population.
Finnish belongs to the Uralic language family and is closely related to Estonian and more distantly related to Hungarian.
Unlike Swedish, Norwegian and Danish, Finnish is not a Germanic language. Its grammar and vocabulary are therefore quite different from most other European languages.
This is one reason why Finnish is often considered one of the more unusual European languages for English speakers to learn.
Do People Speak Swedish in Finland?
Yes. Swedish has been one of Finland's national languages for centuries.
Around five percent of Finland's population speaks Swedish as their native language. Swedish is particularly common in coastal areas in western and southern Finland and on the Åland Islands.
The Swedish spoken in Finland is generally known as Finland Swedish or finlandssvenska.
If you speak Swedish, you may therefore find parts of Finland surprisingly familiar. Street signs, public information and services can be available in both Finnish and Swedish in many bilingual municipalities.
Do People in Finland Speak English?
Yes. English is widely spoken and understood in Finland, particularly in cities, tourist destinations, hotels, restaurants and among younger people.
You can generally travel around Finland without speaking Finnish or Swedish, especially if you are visiting Helsinki or other popular tourist destinations.
However, knowing a few Finnish words can be a fun way to connect with locals and experience Finnish culture.
Can You Travel Around Finland Without Speaking Finnish?
Absolutely.
English is usually enough for most tourists. Hotels, restaurants, airports and many tourist attractions commonly have English-language information.
In larger cities such as Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, it is particularly easy to get around using English.
You may occasionally encounter situations where English is less common, especially in rural areas or among older generations, but this is unlikely to cause major problems for most visitors.
What Are the Sámi Languages?
The Sámi are the Indigenous people of northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia.
Finland recognizes three Sámi languages:
Northern Sámi
Inari Sámi
Skolt Sámi
These languages are spoken primarily in northern Finland, particularly in the Sámi homeland in Lapland.
The Sámi languages are completely different from Finnish, although both belong to the broader Uralic language family.
What Language Do They Speak in Lapland?
The answer depends on where you are in Lapland.
Finnish is the main language spoken throughout most of Finnish Lapland. In the northern Sámi homeland, you can also encounter Sámi languages.
English is widely used in major tourist destinations, particularly in places that attract international visitors looking for Northern Lights, winter activities and Santa Claus experiences.
What Language Is Spoken in Helsinki?
Finnish is the most commonly spoken language in Helsinki, but Swedish also has official status.
Helsinki is highly multilingual, and English is very widely understood. You will also hear many other languages because of the city's international population.
For tourists, Helsinki is therefore one of the easiest places in Finland to visit without knowing Finnish.
Is Finnish Difficult to Learn?
Finnish has a reputation for being difficult for English speakers, and there are some good reasons for that.
The grammar is very different from English, and Finnish uses a large number of grammatical cases. Words can also look very different from their English equivalents.
At the same time, Finnish pronunciation is relatively consistent. Once you learn how Finnish letters and sounds work, words are generally pronounced in a predictable way.
Finnish also has some wonderfully distinctive words and concepts, such as sisu, which describes determination, resilience and inner strength.
What Are Some Basic Finnish Words?
Learning a few Finnish words can be useful and is a great way to show appreciation for the local culture.
Hello — Hei
Thank you — Kiitos
Yes — Kyllä
No — Ei
Please — Ole hyvä
Good morning — Hyvää huomenta
Good evening — Hyvää iltaa
Goodbye — Hei hei / Näkemiin
Cheers — Kippis
One of the most useful words to know is kiitos, meaning “thank you.”
What Are Some Finnish Words That Are Famous Internationally?
Some Finnish words and concepts have become well known outside Finland.
Sauna — A Finnish bathing tradition that has become popular around the world.
Sisu — A Finnish concept describing determination, resilience and perseverance.
Perkele — A famous Finnish swear word that is strongly associated with Finnish culture.
These words offer a small glimpse into Finnish culture and the way Finland is perceived internationally.
Is Swedish Mandatory in Finland?
Finnish and Swedish are both national languages, and Swedish is taught in the Finnish education system.
This is sometimes referred to as “mandatory Swedish” or pakkoruotsi in Finnish.
The exact language requirements vary depending on the person's education and circumstances, but Swedish is an important part of Finland's bilingual national framework.
Which Language Should You Learn Before Visiting Finland?
If you are visiting Finland as a tourist, English is the most useful language to know.
You do not generally need to learn Finnish or Swedish to travel around the country.
However, learning a handful of Finnish expressions can make your trip more enjoyable. Even simple words such as hei and kiitos are useful and appreciated.
If you already speak Swedish, you may also find it useful in areas where Finland Swedish is commonly spoken.
Quick Summary
What are Finland's official languages? Finnish and Swedish.
What is the main language in Finland? Finnish.
Do people speak English in Finland? Yes. English is widely understood, especially in cities and tourist areas.
Do people speak Swedish in Finland? Yes. Swedish is one of Finland's two national languages.
What languages do the Sámi speak? Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi are spoken in northern Finland.
Can you visit Finland without speaking Finnish? Yes. English is generally enough for tourists.
Is Finnish difficult to learn? It can be challenging for English speakers because its grammar and vocabulary are very different from English, but its pronunciation is relatively consistent.
Finland may officially have two national languages, but its linguistic landscape is much broader. Finnish, Swedish, Sámi languages, English and many other languages all contribute to the country's diverse modern culture.
