Say “You” Politely—Or Not! Finnish Pronoun Secrets
In Finnish, there’s more than one way to say “you.” Whether you’re talking to a friend or showing respect to an adult, knowing the right word makes a big difference—and it’s super simple for kids to learn!
The Two Yous in Finnish
- sinä – casual “you” for friends, family, or someone your age
- te – polite “you” for adults, teachers, or more than one person
Here’s an example:
“Sinä olet ystäväni.” (“You are my friend.”)
“Te olette opettajani.” (“You are my teacher.”)
Fun Grammar Games
You or You? Match Game
Print out pictures of people (like a friend, grandma, teacher, etc.). Ask your child to say “sinä” or “te” based on who it is.
Role Play Fun
Act out a quick chat between a student and teacher. Practice switching between “sinä” and “te” depending on who is speaking.
Dinolingo’s Finnish course (ages 2–14) gently introduces kids to useful grammar like pronouns through songs, stories, and real conversations. Children learn naturally when to use polite and casual forms while playing and listening.
It also includes printable worksheets and conversation games so kids can practice what they learn offline.
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