Learn to Love Long Words—the Finnish Way
Finnish is famous for its long words but don’t worry! These big words are often just small words joined together. Once kids learn how to spot them, they become fun puzzles to read and say.
Why Are Finnish Words So Long?
Finnish often combines simple words to create new ones. Here are a few examples:
- lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottori – airplane jet turbine engine (yes, really!)
- kirjahylly – bookshelf (kirja = book + hylly = shelf)
- päiväkoti – daycare (päivä = day + koti = home)
Try saying: “Minun kirjani on kirjahyllyssä.” (“My book is on the bookshelf.”)
Big Word, Big Fun Activities
Build-a-Word Game
Write short Finnish words on cards (like “koti,” “päivä,” “kirja”) and help your child mix and match them to create new long words.
Syllable Clapping
Pick a long Finnish word and clap for each syllable. Count the claps—some words have 5 or more!
Dinolingo’s Finnish course for kids (ages 2–14) introduces compound words in playful ways—through songs, stories, and word-building games. With repeated exposure, kids naturally begin to break down and enjoy long words without stress.
Plus, the printable flashcards and online games help kids stretch their vocabulary, one syllable at a time.
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