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.

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. 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.