My first Finnish PUSSI

Hey guys,

are you ready for today' story??

When I first thought about coming to Finland I shared with my friend about and she was so excited in my place. After few minutes talking about the forthcoming experience she could not help herself, saying "you can learn Finnish within three months, is it no amazing?". I did not really agree.  Something else was in my mind :)



For some people learn a new language would be a challenge (mainly Finnish) and they would put it on the top of the list, but not myself. I like languages, though. But since I am living in Austria and I would like first to learn better German and not mix another language - it is already difficult manage one.

Anyway, I kind of change my mind after my first supermarket visit.

There are few cliche about the Finns: they drink a lot, they don't talk so much, they like rock-n-roll, they really answer how are they if you ask them, among many. Well, to be clear about the latter one, if someone asks one american "How are you?", expect one of the following answer:
(a) good,
(b) great or
(c) fantastic.

In contrast a Finn would answer it in a positive or negative way and also explains you the reason, with a complete overview if you have time. So, I thought I would not need to learn Finnish and that nobody would start to talk with me.

Before we lose our way, I was talking about the supermarket. It was my first shopping in Helsinki. Like my first time in Linz, Austria. I was standing for a while in front of the shelves and trying to figure out what was what. The product' shapes are identical in many places, but I cannot understand the difference between dozens of hams, for instance. Actually I have another option if I cannot properly understand Finnish, is to read the second official language: Swedish. Neither help me much. To be a bit optimist I can see some connections between German and Swedish.

After half hour to buy few goods I was queuing before the cash.

My turn and I had my first basic talk in Finnish.

"Moi", she said looking down. This word means 'hi' in an informal way - great I understood it.

"Moi", I replied.

After few seconds of deep silence (what would I expect?),  she broke the silence with one single word that I understood at first, but I could not believe:

"Pussi".

Definitely, 'bag' was not what popped up in my mind. I guess neither in your mind when you read the title at the beginning.

If it sounds funny I can tell you that I did not have any reaction. I don't know what is worse: do not understand a single word or misunderstand a few =D

If you ever come to Finland here follows my basic and initial phrases (I will keep up-to-date whenever I learn more).


Basic Finnish vocabulary

• moi, hei = hello, hi
• kiitos = thanks
• anteeksi = sorry, excuse me 
• Joo = yes
• ei = no
• hyvää huomenta = good morning
• hyvää päivää = good afternoon
• hyvää paivän jatkoa = Have a nice day
• mitä kuuluu? = how are you?
• kiitos, hyvää. = thanks, I am fine.
• sinä olet kaunis = you are pretty
• pussi = bag
• minä olen humalassa joka päivä = I am drunk every day
• perkele = damn (actually means 'devil', but used to curse)

If you know more important phrases, let me know :)