Common Beginner Finnish Mistakes to Avoid | Improve Your Finnish Language Skills

[@KatChatsFinnish]

AD ✨Book a Finnish class here: go.italki.com/kat10 As an italki ambassador, use my code “KAT2023” to get 5€ off when booking a lesson that costs at least 10€. Only valid until the end of 2023!

[@marin_1441]

What happened after 11:15? Video get intermixed?

[@KatChatsFinnish]

@@marin_1441 They were the extra examples (in the video I had a note that said extra examples at the end) :)

[@amaataabernice9987]

If i click on the link it goes to Maija on italki. Are you the same person?

[@Heidelager]

yet another fantastic "down to earth" practical video. I've been studying formally for a few months now as a full time adult student in a Finnish language course. This latest video of yours resonated VERY strongly in terms of identifying some of the most important area's to focus on. Thank you!

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Oh wow what an amazing comment - thank you soooo much! Kiitos tosi paljon :)

[@kristinaoravcova372]

Dear Kat, I can only agree that speaking in your target language is very important. I already use italki because you (as a person I trust) recommended it, I have one teacher for Finnish and one for German. It is outside of ones comfort zone where the magic happens, lol.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Such a sweet comment, kiitos tosi paljon again :) I guess we always need to push ourselves a bit out of our comfort zone to really grow and learn as a person :D

[@musikkimies]

Great video, Kat. If someone wants to hear some puhekieli in action, they could listen to some Arttu Wiskari songs here on KZbin. Mökkitie is one of my favorites. Also Ikuisesti Kahdestaan, Tässäkö Tää Oli, ja Tuntematon Sotilas are all super great. Find the written lyrics and then listen while reading them. You'll get an idea of what puhekieli sounds like and how sentences are formed using it. And you'll have a great time with fun songs.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

That's a great tip!

[@merclangrat]

KPT rule is the hardest! And... about speaking, for very shy and introvertic people (like me), it's much harder to speak and really important to have the VERY safe environment. The problem for us isn't only making mistakes, but speaking itself the language we are beginners in. another thing I have to mention: understanding the answer. Even if I manage to say a phrase somewhere, I may not understand what I am answered - especially at the beginner level and if sounds are totally different (for example, they don't even exist in my native language or in English). then the answer would look like a mess, and you have to ask again, get more nervous and end up with English or even nothing at all. was I lucky that I could order food in Helsinki or did I learnt enough for that using your videos? :) I guess using italki and other places, where it may be possible to build a safe environment, is a good idea. I know that some teachers at language courses say people: you must try to speak outside, at the street, at shops, etc. I don't agree it's good for beginners, on the contrary, it may be too bad and stressful for people who have issues with communication. Recently I've found another thing which shy people can try: an AI companion. there are apps using AI which can understand your speaking, talk to you and and help with correcting mistakes. PS: I am thinking how to make a sentence about Sidney with all three: MUTA, MUTTA ja MUUTTAA

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Good points! And it seems you know yourself and your learning style very well and have thought about this a lot! Plus I want to congratulate you on ordering food in Helsinki!! That's already a huge milestone and a very brave thing to do - so you should be very happy about that :D The AI point is super interesting and will probably become more common very quickly! Interesting to see how that develops.

[@merclangrat]

@@KatChatsFinnish thank you very very much for warm words! that was quite simple, in the cafe, in the hostel I switched to English (but I think I was just too tired). Oh, I had to get myself know because I had a quite bad experience once and I worked with psychotherapist with this topic... then it's better to warn others not to jump in this and listen to yourself first

[@oursisulife3930]

Great video! Being that we have nobody around us who speaks Finnish, we tend to speak to our dogs in it. Or ourselves. We don't speak to each other for fear we will cement an incorrect pronunciation or case into our brains. I find music VERY helpful. Even if it isn't a genre I would normally listen to, I do to become more familiar with the words. Vowel harmony is probably the hardest thing for us to grasp. Friends in Finland tell us though that it is one of those things that will come with time.

[@phoebesmith8154]

Glad it’s not just me practicing with my dog 🤣🤣 I also try to talk to myself in Finnish too.

[@oursisulife3930]

@phoebesmith8154 Hey!! Jarno at Easy Finnish told me talk to whomever😄even if it is myself looking in the mirror! I just keep waiting for the dogs to answer back🤣🤣🤣

[@larrylamere1829]

Very good point. As a native english speaker the double letters are tricky. In American we just pronounce them as a single letter. I like playing with Google translate to see how the meaning changes with a mispronunciation. Kisa and kissa for example competition - cat.😀

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Haha yes another good example!

[@bufordghoons9981]

Listening to songs I know such as Itsy Bitsy Spider (hämä hämä häkki ) and Silent Night, Holy Night (Jouluyö, juhlayö) helps in learning pronunciation and remembering words.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Oh good tip!

[@garypeterson2079]

very good thank you. Happened to log on and noticed you had posted about 19 minutes ago. Already 61 views and you are rapidly approaching 36 thousand subscribers, way to go. I have only been at it a year and still do not feel comfortable with my knowledge to talk to someone. I only do it on my free time so not enough to really say I am studying. I have learned somethings though and really enjoy your videos. Kiitos

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Haha what great timing! I always really appreciate your comments from the past year so kiitos paljon for leaving them! Thank you for the encouragement and I'm glad you feel you've learned at least a little bit :)

[@arcticradio]

Thankyou Kat….I mentally crashed this week and feel like I cannot cope with the online Finnish course I’m doing. Going over your videos to recap and learn new things is helping massively. I rarely will speak Finnish to anybody unless I’m on my own shopping, car garage etc….everyday things I need to use Finnish for. I feel too embarrassed to use it with family or friends.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Oh no, hang in there! It's okay to take a break too if it becomes too overwhelming - make sure to take care of yourself first! But I'm glad my videos can give you a bit of help! :) And yes, I totally understand that - sometimes it's way easier to speak to strangers and in some ways feels like there is less pressure or embarrassment like you said - but nice you're able to use it a tad here and there when you're doing things on your own!

[@prettybelle]

Thanks so much ❤ from Cameroon 🇨🇲 I do watch ur video everyday

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Thanks for watching!

[@AJBonnema]

About satu vs saattuu, I came across the first one as a conneg: Se ei satu i.e. it doesn't hurt. A bit of confusion in terms I am afraid. So one really has to understand context to get the right satu meaning! Thanks for the video, always a pleasure to watch.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Oh that’s so true! Good of you to point it out!!

[@nikoforu]

Vowel harmony is one of those rare little things that Finnish... easier. Otherwise, the words look like big clusters of vowels.

[@Tyrisalthan]

That number 2 should have been number 1. That is the most important rule of learning any language. The more you use the language, the better you get at it. So listen how others speak it, speak it yourself, read it, and write it all helps to learn the language. What is usually most difficult for people to do is to speak it, so therefore it should be practiced the most. It is also the most effective, since you are on the spot so all your brain power is working on coming up with the right words. And like surviving a dangerous situation you remember it unconsciously for a long time, imprinting the language into your brain. And the more you use the language, the stronger the brain connections and new pathways will become. Some polyglots learn new languages by learning like 100 most common words of the language and then book a vacation to the country where they try to survive using just that language. After 2 weeks their understanding of the language, the vocabulary, and the pronunciation has all improved immensely, by barely survive to actually manage day to day interactions with no problems. The usage of the language is the key to actually learn it.

[@rickfrostman9191]

Thank you, very interesting

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Kiitos :)

[@helenak.7646]

So useful!

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Kiitos! :)

[@pyrokinetikrlz]

leaving a comment for the algorithm shenanigans!

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Yay kiitos! So kind :)

[@walaaammar6855]

Really you are a wonderful teacher ...love you .... I need you to explain Partitiivi please

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Yes it's a hard one to explain xD That's why I've avoided it so far lol

[@amaataabernice9987]

Yes, sometimes i feel shy i will make mistakes 😊

[@KatChatsFinnish]

But that’s okay! It’s part of learning :D

[@whynot3143]

Kiitos videosta! Have you thought of making these kind of videos in Finnish (instead of English) with Finnish/English subtitles? This may help us get used to the spoken Finnish!

[@KatChatsFinnish]

I have and made some videos that are Finnish with dual subs. They just take me soooooo long to edit I would barely have time to release videos :((( But I want to make more and my next video will have a long part talking in Finnish so look forward to that :D

[@whynot3143]

@@KatChatsFinnish Valid point, no worries your videos are very helpful anyways!

[@mengenwertskala]

I want to speak more Finnish and I also know people for that but I can't understand the easiest sentences spoken by a native :(

[@larrylamere1829]

Another problem as a beginning student: It may sound ridiculous bur "hearing" finnish is a problem. It may be that native speakers just speak too fast. ❓It is very helpful in your videos when you break words up into sylables. 😄Paljon kiitos.

[@phoebesmith8154]

When I first started I watched a comedian doing a skit about ‘noni’ in Finnish. And I swear it sounded like blahhh minus the odd word I recognised very early in my studies. Finnish people DO talk fast. But it’s also a reaction from your brain to what it considers to be ‘gibberish’. This is improving as my vocabulary increases.

[@marin_1441]

1:47 what if I don't live in Finland and don't know any Finnish speaker should I mummble alone? Wait I didn't watched the sponsor sorry

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Hahah I did make a video once about how to practice speaking and one tip was talking to your pet/to yourself xD

[@SpongiousBird]

I wish there was a phrase book for travelers, with kirja- and puhukieli equivalents. So you'd know what to say to people, but you could also see the transformation of the words... If you know of something like that, please let me know :)

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Oh yess that would be convenient! I wonder if that exists too 🤔

[@rasseranch9393]

Kirjakieli or puhekieli or whatever you want to call it, actually is more useful because you not only sound polite(formal) but also can be understood by everyone. There is no puhekieli, it's just a word describing a group of many different dialects (which are casual and can contain slang words). However although such a book would be cool, it is more efficient to just know yleiskieli.

[@TeroSakari92]

Can you make a video about on, in, under, near?

[@KatChatsFinnish]

I might have a video covering some of these at least? If you search for "katchats positional words" on youtube search

[@duardcab]

great video…however the audio is very weak even tho i maxed the volume

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Sorry about that :(

[@phoebesmith8154]

One issue though, is how do you learn Puhekieli if you’re not in Finland and can’t afford a tutor 😬 I have so far been unable to find any online courses that cover it…

[@KatChatsFinnish]

If you try to watch Finnish TV (both reality and drama series are fine) or movies they will also speak in puhekieli - since in the shows it's people living life in Finland - so they would speak how one would in normal life. Podcasts, Finnish KZbinrs - of course if you are at a beginner level this would be hard without subtitles. This course at least focuses more on speaking and spoken Finnish: herfinland.teachable.com/p/conversational-finnish-for-beginners?coupon_code=BF23&product_id=4716156affcode=322051_09yjszwi

[@phoebesmith8154]

@@KatChatsFinnish yeah I’m definitely still beginner. Over 100 days in and I can barely hold a basic back and forth 🤦🏼‍♀️ it’s a lot harder than you think it will be (this is my first time learning a language other than my native).

[@KatChatsFinnish]

@@phoebesmith8154 It takes time! Especially with a language like Finnish so don't be discouraged, even small improvements over time are wins in the bigger picture! You just have to find it in yourself to keep the motivation going since that can be really hard when progress is slow :)

[@getudemis4148]

Why you teach us in silk road please

[@cherrymadjos8281]

Moi. Can i ask? What to use in your likes and dislikes mam partitivi? To chnge the words im confused

[@kansaIainen]

The boyfriend rang the doorbell of his girlfriend's home. The girl's father opened the door. The boy said: "Hyvää iltaa, tulin tappaamaan Liisaa." tapaamaan = to meet tappamaan = to kill

[@zahraaal-jazaeri]

Vidio kivaa

[@hyhhy]

Did you forget to add your usual intro section? The beginning seems a bit abrupt, hehe. Or maybe this is a new approach.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

italki wanted their part to start earlier so I just cut it off xD

[@hyhhy]

@@KatChatsFinnish lol ok thanks for explanation

[@Stvbz]

bets places to listen to finnish ?

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Someone suggested some songs in the comments already, I'd say Finnish music, TV shows/movies, podcasts in Finnish or radio like Yle Uutiset" and "Areena Podcast" , I have some videos in Finnish with subtitles as well, other Finnish youtube videos, Finnish audiobooks even? Yle uutiset in selkosuomi has short news videos that are in easier Finnish here: areena.yle.fi/1-3233686

[@ollihakala710]

actually a u o are back vowels and front vowels are y ä ö.

[@radthibidaeux8229]

I'm sure there is a "rule" for this, and I could be completely wrong . . . BUT I have noticed that when using the letters ö and ä in a word, regardless of what tense and other changes you make to the word, those letters will stay in "harmony" later on. So ä will STAY ä, and NOT become simply "a." And as you say, you will NEVER see ä and a, together, as "doubled" vowels, as in "äa." If you do . . . that's WRONG. Duolingo will throw these at you, and will also switch the "harmony" to "teach" you these rules. But "place" is "paikka," (two "regular" a's) and "day" is "päivä, (two "ah" a's) and you will NEVER see "päiva," or "paikkä." Now Katja will tell us . . . "Yes . . . BUT . . . ." LOL! Edited: I JUST now caught an example of this "rule" on Duolingo. The question offered two possible answers: 1) ystävällista . . . or: 2) ystävällistä Even if you DON'T know what the word means . . . you can still "guess" right? If you see "ä" in the front part of the word . . . then the ending will be the same.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Yesss that's the essence of vowel harmony right there!! :D

[@phoebesmith8154]

This is not always true lol. täytekakkua is on its way to catch you out 😂

[@KatChatsFinnish]

@@phoebesmith8154 Yeah compound words won't follow vowel harmony xD

[@phoebesmith8154]

@@KatChatsFinnish yeah. Just preparing the commenter for when they get to that section on Duolingo lol. Or they’ll have a nasty shock 😂

[@KatChatsFinnish]

@@phoebesmith8154 So true, good to have a heads up for sure 🥰

[@jean-marcdumas-perrin5324]

👍⭐️⭐️⭐️👏

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Kiitos!

[@bestdesigners]

😃🤩😍🤗🙃💝😘

[@duzzzz94]

Mul ei oo mitää hajuu miks tää video tuli mun suosituksiin mut katoin silti. Suomi tuntuu ihan sairaan vaikeelta opetella, onneks ei tarvi.

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Joo joskus tulee ihme juttui suosituksiin. Ja jep onhan se vaikeeta, mut yritän parhaani 😂 Kiitos kommentista :)

[@ketrovaara]

Hi, how are you. Красивая девушка Kiitoksia)

[@abidekz]

[@KatChatsFinnish]

Kiitos!