Learning how to talk about time is essential for everyday communication. In this lesson, you’ll learn key time expressions in Finnish and how to tell the time with practical examples. Whether you’re asking for the time or planning your day, this vocabulary will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
All phrases are accompanied by audio and are free to use in your Finnish studies online.
These basic expressions are used frequently in everyday conversation. They help you refer to parts of the day, routines, and time-related questions.
Common Time Expressions in Finnish
| English | Finnish with pronunciation |
|---|---|
| What time is it? | Mitä kello on? |
| It's one o'clock | Kello on yksi |
| Morning | Aamu |
| Afternoon | Iltapäivä |
| Evening | Ilta |
| Night | Yö |
| Now | Nyt |
| Later | Myöhemmin |
| Soon | Pian |
| Always | Aina |
| Sometimes | Joskus |
| Never | Ei koskaan |
Below are common phrases used to express time of day. Note that in Finnish, the structure is usually “Kello on…” (literally: “The clock is…”).
Telling the Time in Finnish
| English | Finnish with pronunciation |
|---|---|
| It's half past two | Kello on puoli kolme |
| It's quarter past ten | Kello on vartin yli kymmenen |
| It's quarter to five | Kello on varttia vaille viisi |
| It's exactly noon | Kello on tasan kaksitoista |
| At what time? | Mihin aikaan? |
| At six o'clock | Kello kuusi |
| I’m sorry, I’m late | Anteeksi, olen myöhässä |
| On time | Ajoissa |
| Do you have time? | Onko sinulla aikaa? |
Understanding how to express time in Finnish will help you in countless everyday situations. From asking for the time to talking about daily routines, these phrases are essential for clear and natural communication.
If you’re learning Finnish online, don’t forget to explore related vocabulary topics such as Numbers in Finnish and Days of the Week in Finnish to reinforce your skills.