How to say only, just and exactly in Finnish

I've noticed that sometimes Finnish learners say 'just' when they should say 'vain' (or 'vaan' in colloquial Finnish). It's understandable, because sometimes the Finnish 'just' does mean the same as the English 'just'. However, it's not always like that. 

vain = only, just

• Minä söin vain leipää. - I ate only bread.
• Colloquial Finnish: Mä söin vaan leipää. - I ate only bread. 
• Notice that 'vain' is vaan in colloquial Finnish. 

juuri = just, recently

• Minä söin juuri leipää. - I was eating bread just now.
• Colloquial Finnish: Mä söin just leipää. - I was eating bread just now. 
• Notice that 'juuri' is 'just' in colloquial Finnish. So here 'just' means the same in both languages!

juuri = exactly

• Se on juuri tämä. - It's exactly this one. 
• Colloquial Finnish: Se on just tää. - It's exactly this one. 

• Juuri niin! - Exactly!
• Colloquial Finnish: Just nii! - Exactly!

• Notice that 'juuri' is 'just' in colloquial Finnish.

Oh, here's an add: A Finnish pronunciation workshop on Zoom in June 13 at 6.P.M. Finnish time. The price of the workshop is €32 and it lasts for 2 hours. I will be teaching the workshop together with my colleague Päivi Virkkunen from Ääntämisklinkka. 

Similar posts:

• What is the difference between 'vain' and 'vasta'?
• How to use the Finnish words 'mutta' and 'vaan'

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. 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.