Oh this is such a fun read, Elina! And so fascinating! I feel like I'm well on my way to speaking Finnish now. 😂 "No niin" reminds me of how the Irish use "it's grand" which could mean anything from "that will do perfectly" to "you've completely ruined my day and I'll never forgive you for this."
And thanks so much for the mention! I like having been a small part of your inspiration. ❤️
I thought you might like it, if I'm correct that you're not usually the most extroverted person in the room 😄 And thank you for the inspiration — no niin, it's grand! ❤️
As a non-Finnish speaking Finnish Australian, it’s the bestest thing ever! Closely followed by Fazer chocolate, sauna, and salmiakki (not always in that order!) 💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍
I now want to hear the different inflections — I tried the video but I was lost as soon as he started talking, so I might not have got to the point he used it, or in fact never noticed.
I’m trying to think of other multi-use phrases and I came up with “bon bah” in French, which I never really thought of how to translate in each instant, just learned to instinctively feel where it fit in.
In English, I’m struggling, but we do use “ok… right” or just “right” in multiple ways. You’ve decided it’s time for you to leave after visiting friends first a cup of tea, you slap your thighs and say “ok, right” to signify drawing an end to your part and about to leave. A teacher, getting a class to quieten and move on to a different subject “OK… right”. You come home to the washing machine having flooded the kitchen “ok… right” to signify resignation that you now have to fix it. These are all for people who, unlike me, don’t make everything into a drama and descend into swearing at every turn.
Thank you for making me search around in my brain at 5.45am when I can’t sleep.
Try the video again – you can turn on the subtitles in the settings so it's easier to follow – there are lots of examples of different inflections.
I'm sure there's a similar polysemic expression in every language, they're so convenient! But "no niin" is so extremely versatile, and so utterly overused in Finnish that it's ridiculous. And the sweary types, like you and me, can always pair it with a good swear word too 😄
Thank you for your 5.45am thoughts – that's my usual working hour 😁
This is so witty and entertaining, thank you, or should I say: kiitos. That is as much as I know in Finnish, and when I visited Helsinki (before the apps), I was relieved to see everything was also in Swedish - I used to speak fluent Danish (I’m Polish-British).
Kiitos, Anna! Fluent Danish - wow!! Swedish is Finland's second official language, and even though I speak it (badly and with a very limited vocabulary), I can't understand Danish at all!
I've been working to decipher this "no, niin" since I moved to Helsinki, in 2023. I've managed to get the hang of some, but this article filled the gaps I had and offered the much needed clarity!
In Romania, we have just the "no" from "no, niin", but only in the central western part of the country. Same as the "no, niin", this romanian "no" expresses a lot depending on the tone voice that's being used. Of course, we have the classical NO!, but, you'll understand that angry NO! from the voice that's being used.
Thank you for your comment! I can imagine it's a tricky expression for a non-native speaker. We use it and its variations mostly unconsciously, and in ridiculous amounts. The Romanian equivalent is interesting! I guess most languages have their own version of "no niin," and it'd be fun to read more about how different cultures treat the idea.
Yes! These kind of subjects interest me as well and i try to sudy them as much as possible. This "no..." was a pleasant surprise for me to find out about, because i would expect to have 90% similarities with any european latin community (romanians being latins) but to find something like this so far from home...well..it melted my heart a bit ;)
I'm happy that you've found things that feel cosy and homely! There are cultural peculiarities of course, but I think, after all, we're all more the same than different. You may have to scratch the surface for a while, though.
Language is incredible, isn't it? I know absolutely zero words of Finnish, but now I will use 'no niin' with the first Finns I meet and get their reaction!
I wonder, does this work for teachers trying to get their students to behave, like the bus driver did? Is that easy to get the kids to be quiet and cooperate? I wish English had a word or phrase with similar power.
There are one or two interesting Ukrainian or Russian words that have multiple meanings and uses, but nothing as versatile as 'no niin'.
It definitely is! I'm sure the Finns surprised by your 'no niin' will be stoked! 😄 Well, I'd be lying if I claimed there's a magic word to tame teens, but I used it quite successfully when I taught riding and substituted for teachers at school 🤭
Oh this is such a fun read, Elina! And so fascinating! I feel like I'm well on my way to speaking Finnish now. 😂 "No niin" reminds me of how the Irish use "it's grand" which could mean anything from "that will do perfectly" to "you've completely ruined my day and I'll never forgive you for this."
And thanks so much for the mention! I like having been a small part of your inspiration. ❤️
I thought you might like it, if I'm correct that you're not usually the most extroverted person in the room 😄 And thank you for the inspiration — no niin, it's grand! ❤️
Yes. Love it! And you're absolutely correct. 😅
ADORE this, Elina! Thank you for this mantra, and my new philosophy on life 😊
Awwwww, thank you dear!! Simplicity, above all 😉
As a non-Finnish speaking Finnish Australian, it’s the bestest thing ever! Closely followed by Fazer chocolate, sauna, and salmiakki (not always in that order!) 💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍
Ah, those are my favourites, too!!
I now want to hear the different inflections — I tried the video but I was lost as soon as he started talking, so I might not have got to the point he used it, or in fact never noticed.
I’m trying to think of other multi-use phrases and I came up with “bon bah” in French, which I never really thought of how to translate in each instant, just learned to instinctively feel where it fit in.
In English, I’m struggling, but we do use “ok… right” or just “right” in multiple ways. You’ve decided it’s time for you to leave after visiting friends first a cup of tea, you slap your thighs and say “ok, right” to signify drawing an end to your part and about to leave. A teacher, getting a class to quieten and move on to a different subject “OK… right”. You come home to the washing machine having flooded the kitchen “ok… right” to signify resignation that you now have to fix it. These are all for people who, unlike me, don’t make everything into a drama and descend into swearing at every turn.
Thank you for making me search around in my brain at 5.45am when I can’t sleep.
Ok… right. Must try to get back to sleep.
😉
Try the video again – you can turn on the subtitles in the settings so it's easier to follow – there are lots of examples of different inflections.
I'm sure there's a similar polysemic expression in every language, they're so convenient! But "no niin" is so extremely versatile, and so utterly overused in Finnish that it's ridiculous. And the sweary types, like you and me, can always pair it with a good swear word too 😄
Thank you for your 5.45am thoughts – that's my usual working hour 😁
Ahhhhh subtitles! Of course. 🤦🏼♀️
Yes, add in a swear word and much more versatile! Love it! 😅
Haha, love the one "kilinvittu" in-between everything 😅 Brilliant read, thank you Elina 😘
Kiitos, Karo 🥰 Ahaha, you found the "treat" for my Finnish readers! It's one of my all-time swear word favs 😁
This is so witty and entertaining, thank you, or should I say: kiitos. That is as much as I know in Finnish, and when I visited Helsinki (before the apps), I was relieved to see everything was also in Swedish - I used to speak fluent Danish (I’m Polish-British).
Kiitos, Anna! Fluent Danish - wow!! Swedish is Finland's second official language, and even though I speak it (badly and with a very limited vocabulary), I can't understand Danish at all!
I've been working to decipher this "no, niin" since I moved to Helsinki, in 2023. I've managed to get the hang of some, but this article filled the gaps I had and offered the much needed clarity!
In Romania, we have just the "no" from "no, niin", but only in the central western part of the country. Same as the "no, niin", this romanian "no" expresses a lot depending on the tone voice that's being used. Of course, we have the classical NO!, but, you'll understand that angry NO! from the voice that's being used.
Thank you for your comment! I can imagine it's a tricky expression for a non-native speaker. We use it and its variations mostly unconsciously, and in ridiculous amounts. The Romanian equivalent is interesting! I guess most languages have their own version of "no niin," and it'd be fun to read more about how different cultures treat the idea.
Yes! These kind of subjects interest me as well and i try to sudy them as much as possible. This "no..." was a pleasant surprise for me to find out about, because i would expect to have 90% similarities with any european latin community (romanians being latins) but to find something like this so far from home...well..it melted my heart a bit ;)
I'm happy that you've found things that feel cosy and homely! There are cultural peculiarities of course, but I think, after all, we're all more the same than different. You may have to scratch the surface for a while, though.
Language is incredible, isn't it? I know absolutely zero words of Finnish, but now I will use 'no niin' with the first Finns I meet and get their reaction!
I wonder, does this work for teachers trying to get their students to behave, like the bus driver did? Is that easy to get the kids to be quiet and cooperate? I wish English had a word or phrase with similar power.
There are one or two interesting Ukrainian or Russian words that have multiple meanings and uses, but nothing as versatile as 'no niin'.
It definitely is! I'm sure the Finns surprised by your 'no niin' will be stoked! 😄 Well, I'd be lying if I claimed there's a magic word to tame teens, but I used it quite successfully when I taught riding and substituted for teachers at school 🤭