Check out other posts in this series exploring proverbs in German, Hungarian, Italian, English, Japanese, Romanian, Czech, Portuguese and Estonian.
Finnish proverbs are a popular source of wisdom in Finland. They are often used as a way to offer advice on something or give guidance on how best to go about your day.
Today, we will explore 10 Finnish proverbs, their English translations, and most importantly – what they mean!
Table of Contents
1. Tyhjät tynnyrit kolisevat eniten
Translation: Empty barrels clatter the most
Meaning: This proverb is typically used as a warning against paying much heed to someone who has nothing to say and keeps talking.
2. Kiukku kuuluu, rakkaus näkyy
Translation: Anger shows but love reveals
Meaning: This proverb means that it’s easy for people to know what others are feeling if they’re angry because we show our anger, but if we’re in love, it’s hard to tell what the person is feeling because love reveals.
3. Kulkea tuon kynsin hampain
Translation: To walk by grabbing with one’s teeth and dragging oneself along
Meaning: This proverb is used when someone needs to make a great effort in order for something to be done.
4. Suolainen suuta ei pidä kauan puhtaana
Translation: A salty mouth cannot stay clean long
Meaning: This phrase is often applied by people who have been hurt, and it means that a person who has suffered an insult is not willing to forget it.
5. Minä maksan sinun saappaat
Translation: I will pay for your shoes
Meaning: This phrase means that you are going to do something on behalf of someone else and take responsibility for their actions or consequences, even if there is no obligation to do so.
6. Puhu kuin pappa, syö kuin äiti
Translation: Speak like a grandfather and eat like your mother
Meaning: This is said to someone when they are trying too hard to conform with the expectations of others or imposing their own standards on themself because they feel that it’s what everyone else wants from them. It means that you should be yourself no matter how difficult life may seem at times.
7. Oma maa mansikka vaan ei mustikkaa
Translation: Only strawberries in one’s homeland, not blackberries
Meaning: A person who lives most of their time abroad will come back asking for only those things which can’t be found there instead of appreciating what they’ve had all along.
8. Aamu on iltaa viisaampi
Translation: The morning is wiser than the evening
Meaning: It’s the age-old piece of advice that if you’re worried about something, or needing to make a decision, it’s best to sleep on think and revisit them in the morning when your thinking is fresh.
Translation: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: It means that you cannot change people who have been doing something for a long time. They feel that it’s what everyone else wants from them. It means that you should be yourself no matter how difficult life may seem at times.
Meaning: It means that you cannot change people who have been doing something for a long time. They feel that it’s what everyone else wants from them. It means that you should be yourself no matter how difficult life may seem at times.
9. Paitsi ja perheensä, ei yhtäkään mitä hänell’ on
Translation: Except for his family he has nothing at all
Meaning: A person is very poor or doesn’t have anything to give away but takes good care of their loved one’s. There are some things in life more important than material possessions such as love and friendship with your family.
10. Ota huomioon, ettei kukaan voi olla onnellinen ilman mitään
Translation: Take care that no one can be happy without anything at all
Meaning: Some people need more in order to feel properly fulfilled and satisfied with themselves such as self-confidence or a sense of security Translation; In some cases, it’s important for someone’s happiness to have certain possessions like financial stability and a good job.
