Today, let’s laugh together about a classic mistake every Finnish learner makes at some point.
You wanted to say:
“I’m hungry.”
But what came out of your mouth was:
“Minä olen nälkä.”
(Literally: I am hunger.)
Yes, welcome to the world where you don’t just feel hunger—you become hunger.
Your whole existence = HUNGER.
You are the hunger. Eternal. Infinite.
So what’s the correct way to say it?
In Finnish, you don’t use the verb “olla” (to be) for physical sensations like hunger or thirst.
Instead, you use a possessive structure:
Minulla on nälkä.
(Literally: “At me there is hunger.”)
Which means: “I’m hungry.”
Let’s break it down:
- Minulla: From minä (I) + -lla (adessive case) → “on/at me.”
- on: “there is” (from the verb “olla”, 3rd person singular).
- nälkä: hunger.
So, hunger is something you have, not something you are.
Think of it like this: hunger visits you—it’s not your identity.
Other funny (and slightly embarrassing) examples:
| You meant to say… | But you said… | What Finns hear… |
|---|---|---|
| I’m thirsty – Minulla on jano | Minä olen jano | I am thirst. |
| I’m cold – Minulla on kylmä | Minä olen kylmä | I’m a cold-hearted person (emotionally). |
| I’m sleepy – Minua nukuttaa | Minä olen nukkuva | I’m a sleeping being (like a sleepwalker). |
Easy trick to remember
In Finnish, feelings = something you have, not something you are.
So remember:
- Hungry → Minulla on nälkä.
- Thirsty → Minulla on jano.
- Headache → Minulla on päänsärky.
- Worried → Minua huolestuttaa.
Feelings are like stray cats—they come, hang around, and leave.
But you’re not the cat.
Final words
If you’ve ever turned yourself into hunger, thirst, or even a headache,
congrats—welcome to the “Adorably Wrong Lazy Learners Club.”
Mistakes are part of the journey.
Laugh, learn, and keep going.
👉 Have you made any funny Finnish mistakes?
Share them with FinnishForLazy!
Let’s laugh, learn, and be lazy geniuses together.
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