🇫🇮
Essential apps for
Finland
Suomi
FinnishEUR4 apps
Helsinki is highly digital. Bolt rules rideshare, and most locals speak fluent English.
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Power & Plug
TypeC / F
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz
Standard European.
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Basic phrases
Finnish
- HelloHeihay
- Thank youKiitosKEE-tohss
- Excuse me / SorryAnteeksiAHN-tehk-see
- YesKylläKEW-lah
- NoEiay
+10 more below
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Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Finland; service is included and staff are paid fair wages. Rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a small tip for exceptional service is appreciated but never obligatory.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →Phrases
All Finnish phrases
Hello
Hei
hay
Thank you
Kiitos
KEE-tohss
Excuse me / Sorry
Anteeksi
AHN-tehk-see
Yes
Kyllä
KEW-lah
No
Ei
ay
Please
Ole hyvä
OH-leh HEW-vah
Goodbye
Näkemiin
NAK-eh-meen
How much?
Paljonko se maksaa?
PAHL-yohn-koh seh MAHK-saa
Where is the bathroom?
Missä on vessa?
MIS-sah ohn VES-sah
The check, please
Lasku, kiitos
LAHS-koo, KEE-tohss
I don't understand
En ymmärrä
en EWM-mar-rah
Do you speak English?
Puhutko englantia?
POO-hoot-koh ENG-lahn-tee-ah
Help!
Apua!
AH-poo-ah
Delicious
Herkullista
HER-kool-lis-tah
Cheers
Kippis
KIP-piss
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Remove your shoes when entering someone's home; it is standard practice everywhere.
- Value personal space and quiet; Finns dislike small talk with strangers and keep a comfortable physical distance.
- Be punctual for meetings and social plans; lateness is considered rude.
- Respect sauna etiquette: shower first, usually go nude (segregated by gender unless family/private), and keep it calm and quiet.
- Queue patiently and respect order; many places use a number-ticket system.
- Make eye contact during a toast and say 'kippis' before drinking.
✕Don't
- Don't be loud, boisterous, or overly familiar with strangers in public.
- Don't skip the pre-sauna shower or wear a swimsuit in a traditional Finnish sauna unless told to.
- Don't compare Finland to Sweden or Russia or assume Finns are Scandinavian in the same way.
- Don't litter or damage nature; respect 'everyman's right' (jokamiehenoikeus) by leaving no trace.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Overpriced or unmetered taxis at Helsinki Airport and tourist areas; insist on the meter or use a known app like Bolt.
- Fake charity petition or donation clipboards in central Helsinki that distract you or pressure cash.
- Inflated bar bills in a few nightlife spots where prices aren't clearly posted; check the menu first.
- Counterfeit 'designer' or souvenir goods sold cheaply at informal markets.
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