Finnish cuteness

[gusl]

Well, it turns out that Spoken Finnish is somewhat different from the written language.

English: Thank you!
Written Finnish: kiitos!
Spoken Finnish: kiitti!


The spoken numbers are mercifully shorter than in writing.

English: two twenty-five
Written Finnish: kaksi kaksikymmenta viisi
Spoken Finnish: kaks kakskyt viisi


On about 5 occasions now, I had to deal with people (mostly old people) in Finnish. I'm proud of myself for managing to convey:
* "I want a cell phone under 60Euro that is compatible with DNA". (keywords: puhelin, kuusikyt euroa)
* "I am looking for Patrik from office A342".
* "Does this bus go to Viikki?" (-mene Viikkiin? -jaa, mene!)
* "Does this bus go to Central Station?" (-mene Rautatientorille? -jaa, mene!)
* "Where is Central Station?" (-missä on Rautatientori?)
* "That bill is for me!" (-minulle!)


Like Dutch and German, knowing a few words can go a surprisingly long way. Some examples:

sana - say, word
kirja - book, writing
sanakirja - dictionary
allekirjoitus - signature

tiede - knowledge, science
kone - machine
tietokone - computer
puisto - park
tiedepuisto - science park
nörti - computer professional (pronounced "nerty")

terveys - health
asema - station
terveysasema - health station

palvelu - service

talo - house
talous - economy
(remember than ekonos is Greek for "house")