In this episode of Nasta suomi, we finally make sense of the Finnish demonstrative pronouns tämä, tuo and se — and why Finns use se so often.

You’ll learn how Finnish doesn’t choose pronouns based on grammar rules first, but on distance, visibility, and shared context. We’ll talk about when tämä feels natural, why tuo is for things you can point at, and how se works both as “that” and “it” in real Finnish speech.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever hesitated between tämä, tuo and se and wondered why textbooks and real life don’t always match.

📌 A clear, saveable conjugation table for these pronouns will be shared in the Telegram channel Nasta Suomi, so you can return to the topic calmly, without pressure.

Listen, relax, and let Finnish start to feel logical.

Finnish object rules (objekti) feel confusing for almost everyone — and for a good reason.
Partitive, nominative, accusative… sometimes the same sentence changes meaning just by changing the object form.

In this episode of Nasta suomi, we break the Finnish object down in a simple, logical way:

• what "objekti" actually is (and when there is no object at all),

• why Finnish uses different object forms,

• how objects help express completeness, intention, negation and quantity,

• and how to think your way through object choices instead of memorising endless rules.

You’ll learn when to use partitive, when the object stays in the basic form, and when it is in accusative — without turning this into a grammar nightmare.
We also talk about why object mistakes don’t mean your Finnish is “bad”, and why even advanced learners struggle with this topic.

At the end of the episode, I’ll guide you toward a clear visual chart that you can save or print.

📌 I’ll post that chart in my Telegram channel Nasta Suomi, so you can return to it calmly, without pressure.

If you’re learning Finnish and want grammar explained with logic, patience and real-life examples — this episode is for you.

If you’ve ever been told “first learn the language, then integrate”, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Nasta Suomi, we gently challenge one of the most common — and most misleading — pieces of advice given to immigrants. Many people believe they must perfect the local language before they can fully participate in society. In reality, this strategy often leads to years of frustration, silence, and feeling like an outsider.

In this episode, we talk about:

• why learning a language in isolation often doesn’t build confidence

• how shame and fear of mistakes stop people from speaking

• why language alone doesn’t help you understand people or culture

• what research says about social interaction and integration

• what actually helps immigrants feel at home — even with imperfect language skills

This episode is not about blaming learners or teachers.
It’s about rethinking integration in a more human, realistic way.

You don’t need perfect language to belong. You need connection.

📢 A short written summary of this episode will be shared in the Telegram channel: Nasta suomi.

Why does Finnish have so many verbs that all seem to mean “can”?

In this episode of Nasta suomi, we break down the most confusing Finnish ability verbs in a clear, friendly, and practical way. You’ll finally understand the real difference between osata, saada, voida, pystyä, kyetä and jaksaa — without heavy grammar terms or stress.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• when to use osata (skills and knowing how)

• how saada changes meaning between permission and receiving

• why voida is about possibility, requests, and health

• how pystyä and kyetä express real capability

• why jaksaa is one of the most important verbs for everyday Finnish

• how these verbs reflect Finnish thinking and everyday communication

This episode is perfect for A1–B1 Finnish learners, expats in Finland, and anyone who wants to sound more natural and confident when speaking Finnish.

Follow on Instagram: @edukosonline
Join the Telegram channel: Nasta suomi — for short written summaries of each episode
💚 Sponsored mention: havuwellness.com, home of Barrière vitamin patches to support energy and focus while learning Finnish

Listen, relax, and discover how Finnish doesn’t just say “can” — it asks the right question every time.

In this episode, we explore the unique world of Finnish Christmas (joulu): its ancient roots, modern traditions, and the vocabulary you need to understand it all.

You’ll learn:

• the true origin of joulupukki — the Finnish Santa who began as a goat from old pagan rituals

• where the word joulu comes from, and how pre-Christian festivals shaped Finnish Christmas

• the Finnish December calendar: pikkujoulut, joulurauha, joulusauna, Christmas Eve traditions, and more

• the most iconic Finnish Christmas foods (joulukinkku, laatikot, riisipuuro, piparit, joulutortut)

• essential Christmas vocabulary

• cultural insights that explain why Finnish Christmas is both peaceful and full of quirky traditions

Whether you’re studying Finnish, living in Finland, or simply love Nordic culture, this episode will help you understand Christmas the Finnish way — calm, cozy, and deeply rooted in history.

Connect with the community:
Instagram: @edukosonline
Telegram: Nasta Suomi
💚 Sponsored by havuwellness.com, home of Barrière vitamin patches for energy and balance during the holiday season.

In this episode, we explore vowel harmony, one of the most important rules in Finnish grammar and pronunciation. If you’ve ever wondered why Finnish words end in -ssa or -ssä, or why some vowels simply refuse to appear together, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn:

• the difference between front vowels, back vowels, and neutral vowels
• why Finnish vowels follow “harmony rules” based on mouth position
• how vowel harmony helps you choose endings like -ssa/-ssä, -sta/-stä, -lla/-llä
• simple memory tricks to make harmony automatic
• practical, real-life examples you can use immediately

Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time learner, you’ll finally understand why Finnish words “sound right” only when their vowels agree.

Connect & learn more:

Instagram: @edukosonline

Telegram: Nasta suomi

Sponsored by havuwellness.com — home of Barrière vitamin patches for focused, energized study sessions.

In this episode of Nasta suomi, we dive into one of the most important — and most confusing — parts of Finnish grammar: how to use movement verbs like mennä, tulla, käydä, lähteä, saapua, viedä and tuoda.

If you’ve ever wondered why Finns say “Menen kauppaan” but “Tulen kotiin”, or how “vien” and “tuon” change depending on your point of view — this episode gives you the full, simple system.

You’ll learn:

• the difference between going away and coming toward

• how to talk about short visits

• how to describe leaving, arriving, taking and bringing

• real, everyday examples you can use immediately

• a mini-story that shows all movement verbs in action

This episode is perfect for Finnish learners from A1 to B1, and for anyone who wants Finnish to feel more logical and less mysterious.

Follow me on Instagram @edukosonline for weekly Finnish Friday tips, examples, and mini-lessons.

And if you’re into wellbeing and slow energy, check out havuwellness.com — where you can find natural vitamin patches that support your energy while you study.

Whether you’re living in Finland or learning from abroad, this episode will help you finally understand how Finnish movement verbs really work — clearly, calmly, and with a little humour.

A donkey bridge, a pig’s hole, a bear’s service, a cat’s days, and a cow in the ditch…

Finnish idioms sound like a trip to the countryside —

but they actually describe everyday life, humor, and the Finnish way of thinking.

In this episode, Anastasia — a Finnish teacher living in Helsinki — explains five popular idioms:

• aasinsilta — a smart transition from one topic to another
• porsaanreikä — a loophole, a clever escape from rules
• karhunpalvelus — a “help” that causes trouble
• kissanpäivät — a life of comfort and rest
• oma lehmä ojassa — having your own interest or hidden motive

You’ll learn what they mean, how to use them, and why Finnish idioms are full of animals — not chaos.

💚This episode is supported by Havu Wellness, home of Barrière vitamin patches — a simple way to pitää huolta itsestäsi (take care of yourself) while living your own kissanpäivät.

Find them at havuwellness.com 🌿

🐾 Follow @edukosonline on Instagram for Finnish Fridays — short, clear lessons and language tips every week.

Join the Nasta suomi Telegram channel for extra examples, small grammar bridges, and fun challenges.