How to try and test in Finnish

Have you ever wondered about the difference between yrittää and kokeilla? In my experience, students learn yrittää first and use it too much. In addition to those two, se also have testata and sovittaa.

Yrittää

Yrittää (yritän, yritin, yrittänyt) is to try or to attempt something. Usually quite hard. It is also used when talking about running a business.

• Mä yritän ymmärtää sua.  - I'm trying to understand you.
• Mä yritän saada paremman arvosanan ensi kerralla. - I'll try to get a better grade next time. 
• Yritä vielä kerran! - Try one more time!
• Sä et edes yrittänyt! - You didn't even try!
• Yrittäminen on kovaa työtä. - Running your own business is hard work.

Kokeilla

Kokeilla (kokeilen, kokeilin, kokeillut) is also to try, but more like testing or having an experiment.

• Oletko kokeillut tätä reseptiä? - Have you tried this recipe?
• Kaikkea kannattaa kokeilla. - Everything is worth trying. 
• Nyt on sun vuoro kokeilla! - Now it's your turn to try!

Testata

Testata is to test. You can use it the same way as kokeilla. Testata is maybe a bit more serious testing.

• Oletko testannut tätä reseptiä? - Have you tested this recipe?
• Testaa, toimiiko se. - Test if it works.

Sovittaa

Sovittaa is to try on clothes. You can also use kokeilla in this context.

• Sovita tätä takkia. - Try on this jacket. 
• Mä en jaksa sovittaa enää mitään! - I don't feel like trying on anything anymore!
• Saanko mä sovittaa / kokeilla sun aurinkolaseja? - Can I try on your sunglasses?
• Sovita / Kokeile näitä kenkiä. - Try on these shoes. 

About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 

My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.  If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can do it here.