Finnish winters are no joke. If you’re planning to visit - or just want to complain about the weather like a local - you’ll need the right words. Here’s your survival guide.
The Basics: Cold, Snow, and Ice
Pakkanen
/ˈpɑkːɑnen/“Frost / freezing cold”
The biting cold that makes your nose hairs freeze. Used when temps drop below zero.
Lumi
/ˈlumi/“Snow”
The fluffy (or slushy) white stuff. Finns have dozens of words for snow, but this is the umbrella term.
Jää
/ˈjæː/“Ice”
What covers every pavement by November. Also what’s in your drink, but context matters.
Advanced Winter Vocabulary
Hanki
/ˈhɑŋki/“Snow cover”
The layer of snow on the ground. Crucial for cross-country skiing.
Pyry
/ˈpyry/“Blizzard”
Not just snow, but snow coming at you sideways. Often paired with wind.
Kelirikko
/ˈkeliˌrikːo/“Slushy mess”
When snow melts and refreezes into a chaotic, slippery nightmare. Common in cities.
Winter Activities
Pulkka
/ˈpulkːɑ/“Sled”
What kids (and adults pretending to be kids) use to slide down hills.
Hiihto
/ˈhiːhto/“Skiing”
The national sport. If you don’t ski, you’ll be asked why. A lot.
Avanto
/ˈɑʋɑnto/“Ice hole”
A hole cut in ice for winter swimming. Yes, people do this voluntarily.
How to Complain Like a Finn
Onpa kylmä
/ˈonpɑ ˈkylmæ/“It’s so cold”
The default small talk from October to April.
Jäätyä
/ˈjæːtyæˣ/“To freeze”
What your fingers do if you forget gloves. Also used metaphorically for shock.
Pro tip: Finns bond over winter suffering. Master these words, and you’ll fit right in.
For more Finnish language insights, check out our guide on simplifying Finnish grammar.
