Cold coffee and echoing forests: learn five Finnish sayings

Finnish, of course, is no different when it comes to these expressions, and it might not surprise you that a number of them are tied to very Finnish things indeed: nature, silence, unpredictable weather and in one particular case something dear to many Finns’ hearts: coffee.  If you are flying with us right now, you might even have one in front of you, since the coffee cups on board carry one of these sayings.

Whether you're curious about Finnish sayings or simply interested in learning more about Finnish culture, we've gathered a few examples below.

Hiljaa hyvää tulee = Good things come slowly

This saying embodies a number of core Finnish characteristics: silence, modesty, sisu (grit and perseverance) plus the value of – and appreciation for – hard work. No need to make a big number about yourself, just put your head down and get things done well. The opposite of this approach, by the way, would be another Finnish saying:
“paukutella henkseleitä”, or “to snap one’s own suspenders”/toot your own horn (which is an English saying!).

Kylmä kahvi kaunistaa = Cold coffee makes you beautiful

It takes courage to come between a Finn and their coffee, hot or not! On a per capita basis, Finns are among the top consumers of coffee globally, and no matter where you are in the country a cuppa is never too far away.

This expression’s roots lie well in the past, possibly referring to morning coffee going cold if women spent too much time in front of the mirror getting themselves ready for the day. Over time, though, the meaning has become less about grooming and more about not worrying about the little things, like laughing off your cup of coffee sitting out for too long.

Niin metsä vastaa kuin sinne huudetaan = The forest answers the way you call into it

This saying is a take on similar expressions you will find in other languages and has a meaning along the lines of “you reap what you sow” or “what goes around comes around”.

In this case, we have a very Finnish twist, which is the inclusion of – and deep respect for – forests. No matter where you are in Finland, the forest is never too far away, one of the many reasons why Finns have been so closely connected to nature for centuries.

Hyvin suunniteltu on puoliksi tehty = Well planned is half done

This expression is something you will commonly hear in business settings: if you put in the hard work and planning ahead of time, there’s a much better chance that things will turn out how you’d like them to.

Of course, this lesson can be applied to life more broadly – not least when it comes to planning your next flight with Finnair. And speaking of which, did you know that well before you arrive at the airport for your next trip, Finnair’s flight plan has already been built by the team at the company’s Operations Control Center (OCC)?

Suomen kesä on lyhyt ja vähäluminen = Finnish summer is short and low on snow

Our last one might look familiar, especially if you are flying with us. Take a look at your coffee cup if you have one in front of you.

This expression is an excellent combination of three very Finnish things: a recognition that summer is short, so see the bright side of things and enjoy it while you can; that snow is something you’re going to experience if you stay in the country long enough; and finally it shows the dry sense of humour you may well encounter when coming to Finland. Finns love to talk about – and joke about – the weather, because when it all of a sudden starts snowing in May, all you can do is laugh!

Keep this in mind when packing for your next visit to Finland and it will truly mean that hyvin suunniteltu on puoliksi tehty!