Finnish greetings go far beyond a simple 'Hei'. The way you say hello, goodbye, or even acknowledge someone in Finland depends on context, relationship, and sometimes even the time of day. This guide covers the essentials - what to say, when to say it, and how to avoid awkward moments.
Basic Finnish Greetings
- Hei / Moi – The most common casual greetings, equivalent to 'Hi'. 'Moi' is slightly more informal. Use with friends, colleagues, or in relaxed settings.
- Terve – A neutral, slightly old-fashioned greeting. Works in most situations but leans casual.
- Hyvää päivää – The formal 'Good day'. Used in professional settings, with strangers, or older people.
- Moro – Very informal, almost slang. Common among younger people or close friends.
Hei
/ˈhei̯/“Hi”
Time-Specific Greetings
Finnish has specific greetings for different times of day, though they’re less rigidly enforced than in some languages.
- Hyvää huomenta – 'Good morning'. Used until around noon.
- Hyvää päivää – 'Good day'. The default formal greeting during daylight hours.
- Hyvää iltaa – 'Good evening'. Starts around 6 PM.
- Hyvää yötä – 'Good night'. Only used when parting ways late at night or before sleep.
Goodbyes in Finnish
- Hei hei – The standard casual goodbye. Sometimes shortened to just 'Hei'.
- Moi moi – A friendly, informal farewell.
- Nähdään – 'See you'. Often followed by a time frame like 'Nähdään huomenna' (See you tomorrow).
- Moikka – Another casual variant, similar to 'Moi moi'.
Social Norms Around Greetings
Finnish greetings come with unspoken rules. Breaking them won’t offend anyone, but sticking to them makes interactions smoother.
- Finns value personal space. A nod or brief eye contact often suffices instead of a verbal greeting in passing.
- Handshakes are standard in formal or first-time meetings. Finns tend to favour a firm, brief grip.
- Hugging is rare outside close friends or family. Even then, it’s less common than in many cultures.
- In sauna settings, greetings are minimal. A nod or 'Moi' is enough - no handshakes or formalities.
Regional Variations
Some parts of Finland have localised greetings. Here are a few:
| Greeting | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tervehdys | General | Old-fashioned but still understood everywhere. |
| Päivää | Eastern Finland | Short for 'Hyvää päivää', common in speech. |
| No niin | Tampere region | A multipurpose phrase sometimes used as a greeting. |
When in Doubt, Keep It Simple
If you’re unsure, stick to 'Hei' or 'Moi'. Finns appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. For more on Finnish language quirks, check out our guide on simplifying Finnish grammar.
