Confusingly similar words in Finnish

Here are some words that are annoyingly similar, especially if you're taking a certain exam and there is a risk that you will spend all your time talking about a wrong topic. I'll keep adding to this list as I notice more words that might be confusing.

Finnish words starting with A–L

• Aika is time. The genitive of aika is ajan, which is also the first person conjugation of ajaa, to drive.

• Eläin is an animal. Elämä is life.

• Kokemus is an experience. Kokous is a meeting. Kokoomus is The National Coalition Party.

• Kotitehtävä is homework. Kotityö is a chore such as cleaning or washing the dishes. 

• Kylä is a village, but it's also used in the expression käydä kylässä, to visit someone.

• Leikata is to cut. Leikkiä is to play as a child. 

• Liha is meat, lihava is fat, lihas is a muscle, and lihaksikas is muscular. 

• Liikenne is traffic. Liike is a movement or a store or a shop. Liikunta is sports.

• Luonto is nature. Luento is a lecture. Luonne is a personality, a temperament.

Finnish words starting with M–R

• Menestys is a success. Menetys is a loss.

• Menestyä is to succeed. Menehtyä is to die. 

• Muuttaa is just tricky in general, so you should read this post.

• Myrsky is a strom. Myrkky is poison. Mulkku is a d*ck.

• Ohjelma is a programme. Ongelma is a problem.

• Olen pahoillani is I'm sorry. Paholainen is a devil.

• Patient is either a noun potilas or an adjective kärsivällinen.

• Rakkaus is love. Raskaus is pregnancy. Raiskaus is a rape.

• Rukata is to fix a little bit. Runkata is to masturbate.  In newspapers, rukata is often in the past tense rukkasi, and it really makes you want to read the text twice. 

Finnish words starting with S–V

• Sää is a weather. Säästää is to save, as in to save money. Säästä is both about the weather and the command Save!

• Mä tapaan sut. Mä tapan sut. You must know this one!

• Tapaaminen is a meeting. Tappaminen is killing. 

• Terveellinen is healthy. Turvallinen is safe. 

• Uni is sleep. Uuni is an oven.

• Valita is to choose. Valittaa is to complain. Välittää is to care or to pass on. 

• Varata is to book or to reserve. Varastaa is to steal. Verrata is to compare.

• Viallinen is faulty. Virallinen is official. Vaarallinen is dangerous. 

Kiitos, kun luit! Jos pidit postauksesta, voit jakaa sen eteenpäin.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it. 
– Hanna

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