How to use the Finnish words 'eli', 'joten' and 'siis'

Many Finnish learners overuse siis and sound more harsh than they probably mean to. Of course, sometimes you really need siis, but very often eli or joten would be better options.

Eli

Eli is used when you say something that you have already said before, or say the same thing twice in different words. You can also use that in a clarifying question.

• Eli ensi viikolla ei ole tapaamista. - So there's no meeting next week. 
• Eli bussi lähtee kolmelta. - So the bus leaves at three o'clock.
• Mulla ei ole sisaruksia, eli mä olen ainoa lapsi. - I don't have any siblings, so I'm an only child. 
• Jare Tiihonen, eli Cheek, lahjoitti lastensairaalle yli satatuhatta euroa. - Jare Tiihonen, a.k.a. Cheek, donated over 100 000 euros to the children's hospital.
• Eli mihin aikaan me tavataan? - So at what time are we meeting again? (You can also use niin here.)

Joten

Joten is used when there is a consequence between two actions or situations. Sometimes in spoken language, people use niin instead.

• Meillä ei ole autoa, joten mä kuljen usein bussilla. - We don't have a car, so I go often by bus.
• Mulla on aamulla kokous, joten mun pitää mennä aikaisin nukkumaan. - I have a meeting in the morning, so I have to go sleep early.
• Tää baari menee kiinni, joten meidän pitää lähteä. - This bar is closing, so we have to leave. 
• Tää baari menee kiinni, niin meidän pitää lähteä. - This bar is closing, so we have to leave. 

Siis

Siis is used in the beginning of a clarification or a clarifying question, or a over-dramatic (teenager) exclamation.

• Olen lomalla enkä siis vastaa sähköpostiini. - I'm on vacation and therefore won't answer my email.
• Siis kirjoittakaa teidän nimi paperin yläreunaan, ei takapuolelle. - So write your name on the top of the paper, not on the other side. 
• Siis moneltako se juna lähtee? - So tell me again: what time does the train leave?
• Siis mä en kestä tätä! - I cannot take this!
• Siis mun on pakko saada tää laukku! - I must have this bag!

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My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Please read more in www.linktr.ee/hannamannikkolahti and follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.