Finnish Genealogical Word List
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Finnish is related to Estonian and distantly related to Hungarian. It is not related to other European languages. The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. Until the end of the 1800s, records were kept in Swedish. For help reading those records, see the Swedish Genealogical Word List. Some Latin phrases also appear in older Finnish parish registers. For help, use the Latin Genealogical Word List.
This list contains Finnish words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Finnish-English dictionary (see the "Additional Resources" section at the bottom of this page).
If you would like to learn more about the language characteristics see the article Finnish Language Characteristics.
Contents
Alphabetical Order[edit | edit source]
Written Finnish uses three letters in addition to the twenty-six letters used in the English alphabet: ä, ö, and for Swedish names, å. Finnish dictionaries and indexes, this word list, and the Locality Search of the FamilySearch CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. all use the following alphabetical order:
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z å ä ö
The letters v and w are frequently alphabetized as the same letter.
Key Words[edit | edit source]
To find and use specific types of Finnish records, you will need to know some key words in Finnish. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the Finnish words with the same or similar meanings.
For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriages. In the second column you will find Finnish words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined,and other words used in Finnish records to indicate marriage.
| English | Finnish |
| Banns | kuulutetut |
| baptism | kastetut, kaste-, ristimä- |
| births | syntyneet, synty- |
| burials | haudatut, hauta-, hauda- |
| child | lapsi |
| christenings | see baptism |
| confirmations | rippilapset, ripille päässeet |
| deaths | kuolleet, kuoli- |
| father | isä |
| husband | mies, aviomies |
| marriages | vihityt, vihki-, naim-, avio- |
| month | kuukausi, kuu |
| mother | äiti |
| name (given name) | nimi, etunimi, kastenimi, ristimänimi |
| name (surname) | (suku)nimi |
| parents | vanhemmat |
| parish | seurakunta, kunta |
| wife | vaimo, aviovaimo, vo |
| year | vuosi, vuoden, vuonna |
General Word List[edit | edit source]
This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list.
In this list, optional versions of Finnish words or variable endings are given in parentheses. Parentheses in the English column clarify the meaning.
A[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| aamu | morning |
| aamulla | in the morning |
| aamupäivä | forenoon |
| aateli(nen) | noble |
| aatelisto | nobility |
| aatto | eve |
| aika | time, date |
| aikainen | early, (a.m.) |
| aikaisempi | earlier |
| aikakauskirja | periodical |
| aikanaan | in due time |
| aina | always |
| ainoa | only |
| aivokuume | encephalitis, inflammation of the brain |
| aivotärähdys | concussion |
| ajaja | coachman |
| ajomies | coachman |
| ala, ali | low(er), under |
| alaikäinen | minor, underaged |
| alla | under |
| allekirjoittanut | undersigned |
| alue | region, district |
| alus | ship |
| ammatti | profession, occupation |
| annettu | given |
| anoppi | mother-in-law |
| appi | father-in-law |
| appivanhemmat | parents-in-law |
| apteekkari | pharmacist, druggist |
| arkisto | archive |
| arkistoluettelo | archive list |
| arvo | title, rank, status |
| asema | station, class, standing |
| asevelvollinen | conscript soldier |
| asiakirja | document, record |
| asua | live, reside |
| asuinpaikka | place of residence |
| asukas | inhabitant, resident, lodger |
| asunto | residence |
| asutuksen yleisluettelo | general register of inhabitants |
| a.u. | illegitimate |
| aukko | gap (missing records) |
| autio | uninhabited |
| avioero | divorce |
| avioliiton ulkopuolella | illegitimate, out of wedlock |
| avioliitto | marriage |
| avioliittoasiakirjat | marriage documents |
| aviomies | husband |
| avionrikkoja | adulterer |
| aviopari | married couple |
| aviopuoliso | spouse |
| avioton | unmarried, illegitimate |
| aviovaimo | wife |
D[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| deltiseppä | tinner, tinsmith |
E[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| edellinen | former, preceding, previous |
| edellämainittu | above mentioned |
| edesmennyt | deceased (adjective) |
| edessä | in front of |
| Eesti | Estonia |
| eestilänen | Estonian |
| ehkä | perhaps |
| ehtoo | evening, eve |
| ei | no, not |
| ei koskaan | never |
| eilen | yesterday |
| eimitään | nothing |
| ei vielä | not yet |
| ekäkkeellä oleva | pensioned, retired |
| eli | lived, or |
| elokuu | August |
| eloonjäänyt | surviving, survivor |
| elossa | alive |
| eläke | pension |
| eläkeläinen | pensioned person |
| elämäkerta | biography |
| elää | to live, living, alive |
| ennen | before |
| eno | uncle (maternal) |
| ensimmäinen | first |
| ent. (entinen) | former, previous |
| erikoistuomioistuimia | special court records |
| erilainen | various |
| ero(nnut) | divorce(d) |
| erotettu (kirkosta) | excommunicated (from the church) |
| esi-isä | ancestor |
| esikoinen | firstborn |
| esivanhemmat | ancestors |
| esteettömyystodistukset | certificates attesting freedom from liability |
| esteetön | free of liability, unhindered (to travel, marry, etc.) |
| etelä | south |
| että | that |
| etunimi | given name |
F[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| folio | page |
H[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| hakemisto | register, index |
| hallitus | government, administration |
| halvaus | stroke, paralysis |
| hampaiden puhkeaminen | teething |
| harjoittelija | apprentice |
| hattumaakari | hatmaker |
| hatuntekijä | hatmaker |
| hauda(ta) (-ttu) | bury, buried |
| hauraus | weakness of old age |
| hauta | grave |
| hautajaiset | funeral |
| hautaus(toimitus) | funeral |
| hautausmaa | cemetery |
| he | they |
| heidän | their, theirs |
| heikkous | weakness (of old age) |
| heimo | tribe, clan, family |
| heinäkuu | July |
| helmikuu | February |
| hengenahdistus | shortness of breath |
| henkikirja | tax list, census |
| henkikirjoitus | census |
| henkilö | person |
| henkilöhakemisto | name index |
| henkilötiedot | personal data |
| herra | Mr., sir |
| Herran ehtoollinen | communion |
| herrasväki | gentry, Mr. and Mrs. |
| herttua | duke |
| herttuakunta | duchy |
| herttuatar | duchess |
| heti | right away, immediately |
| hiippakunta | diocese |
| hinkuyskä | whooping cough |
| historia | history |
| historiakirjat | births, marriages, and deaths |
| holhokki | minor person under legal guardianship |
| holhooja | guardian |
| holhous | guardianship |
| hopeaseppä | silversmith |
| hovioikeus | court of appeals |
| huatajaiset | burial |
| huhtikuu | April |
| hukkunut | drowned, lost |
| huomautuksia | remarks |
| huomautus | remark |
| huomenna | tomorrow |
| huonekalupuuseppä | cabinetmaker, furniture maker |
| huora | whore |
| husaari | light cavalryman |
| huutolainen | pauper receiving his sustenance from the parish |
| huutolaislapsi | pauper child receiving his sustenance from the parish |
| hyvä | good |
| hän | he, she |
| hänen | his, her, hers |
| hätäkaste | emergency baptism |
| hääpäivä | wedding day, date |
| häät | wedding |
I[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| ikä | age |
| ikäkirjat | church census |
| illalla | in the evening |
| ilman | without |
| ilmoittaa | to declare |
| ilta | evening |
| iltapäivä | afternoon |
| iltapäivällä | in the afternoon |
| inventaario | inventory |
| irtolainen | vagabond |
| iso | large, big, great |
| iso-iso-isä | great-grandfather |
| iso-iso-äiti | great-grandmother |
| isoisä | grandfather |
| isorokko | smallpox |
| isovanhemmat | grandparents |
| isoäiti | grandmother |
| isä | father |
| isänisä | grandfather (paternal) |
| isäntä | proprietor, host, landlord, farmer |
| isänäiti | grandmother (paternal) |
| isäpuoli | stepfather |
| isätön | fatherless |
| itse | self |
| itsellinen | tenant farmer |
| itä | east |
| iäkäs | aged |
J[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| ja | and |
| jalkavaimo | concubine |
| jalkaväki | infantry |
| johto | administration, leadership |
| joka | which, who, every |
| jokainen | each, every |
| jokavuotuinen | annual |
| joki | river |
| joskus [1890] luvulla | sometime in the [1890s] |
| josta | from which |
| joten | thus |
| joulu | Christmas |
| joulukuu | December |
| julistettu (kuolleeksi) | declared (dead) |
| juomanpanija | brewer |
| juoppous | intoxication |
| jälkeen | after |
| jälkeenjäänyt | surviving, survivor, retarded |
| jälkeläinen | descendant |
| jälkimmäinen | latter, last |
| jalkinekorjaaja | shoemaker |
| järvi | lake |
| jäsen(enä) | (as a) member |
| jäänyt | left, remaining |
K[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| k. (kuollut) | dead |
| kaatumatauti | epilepsy |
| kado(ta) (-nnut) | lose, lost |
| kahdeksan | eight |
| kahdeksantoista | eighteen |
| kahdeksas | eighth |
| kahdeksastoista | eighteenth |
| kahdeskymmenes | twentieth |
| kahdeskymmenes-ensimmäinen | twenty-first |
| kahdeskymmenes-kahdeksas | twenty-eighth |
| kahdeskymmenes-kolmas | twenty-third |
| kahdeskymmenes-kuudes | twenty-sixth |
| kahdeskymmenes-neljäs | twenty-fourth |
| kahdeskymmenes-seitemäs | twenty-seventh |
| kahdeskymmenes-toinen | twenty-second |
| kahdeskymmenes-viides | twenty-fifth |
| kahdeskymmenes-yhdeksäs | twenty-ninth |
| kahdestoista | twelfth |
| kaikki | all |
| kaima | namesake |
| kaivos | mine |
| kaivostyöläinen | miner |
| kaksi | two |
| kaksikymmentä | twenty |
| kaksikymmentä-kahdeksan | twenty-eight |
| kaksikymmentä-kaksi | twenty-two |
| kaksikymmentä-kolme | twenty-three |
| kaksikymmentä-kuusi | twenty-six |
| kaksikymmentä-neljä | twenty-four |
| kaksikymmentä-seitsemän | twenty-seven |
| kaksikymmentä-viisi | twenty-five |
| kaksikymmentä-yhdeksän | twenty-nine |
| kaksikymmentä-yksi | twenty-one |
| kaksitoista | twelve |
| kakso(nen) (-set) | twin(s) |
| kaksoiskappale | duplicate record |
| kalastaja | fisherman |
| kallio | hill |
| kalustoluettelo | inventory |
| kankuri | weaver |
| kansa | people |
| kansalainen | citizen |
| Kansallisarkisto | state archives |
| kansallisuus | nationality |
| kanssa | with |
| kantaisä | male progenitor |
| kantaäiti | female progenitor |
| kantoluettelot | tax assessment rolls |
| kappalainen | assistant minister |
| kappeli | chapel |
| kara(ta) (-nnut) | to run away |
| karjakko | milkmaid |
| karjapaimen | herdsman |
| karkuri | runaway, fugitive, deserter |
| kartano | manorial estate |
| kartta | map |
| kastamaton | unbaptized |
| kaste | christening, baptism |
| kastekirja | record of baptisms |
| kastenimi | given name |
| kastettu(t) | baptized, (births) |
| kasvain | tumor |
| kasvatti(lapsi) | foster child |
| kasvattivanhemmat | foster parents |
| katselmuspöytäkirjat | visitations |
| katu | street |
| kauppala | country town |
| kauppias | shopkeeper, merchant |
| kaupunki | city, town |
| kautta | via |
| keisari | emperor, czar |
| keisarillinen | imperial |
| kelloseppä | watchmaker |
| keltatauti | jaundice |
| kerjäläinen | beggar |
| kerta | times |
| keskellä | in the middle |
| keskenmeno | miscarriage |
| keskipäivä | noon, midday |
| keskiviikko | Wednesday |
| keskiyö | midnight |
| keskonen | prematurely born child |
| kesä | summer |
| kesäkuu | June |
| keuhkotauti | consumption, tuberculosis |
| kevät | spring |
| kieli | language, tongue |
| kihlakunnanoikeus | rural district court |
| kihlakunta | rural civil district |
| kihlattu | engaged, betrothed |
| kihlaus | engagement |
| kihlkeuhkotulehdus | pneumonia |
| kihti | gout |
| kilometri | kilometer |
| kinkeriasiakirjat | catechetical meeting records |
| kinkerit | catechetical meeting, household examination |
| kirja | book, register |
| kirjaaja | register |
| kirjannitoja | bookbinder |
| kirjanpitäjä | bookkeeper |
| kirjasto | library |
| kirje(et) | letter(s) |
| kirjeenkantaja | mailman |
| kirjekirjat | correspondence, letters |
| kirjuri | clerk, scribe |
| kirkko | church |
| kirkkoherra | minister, priest |
| kirkkoherranvirasto | office of the parish minister |
| kirkon asiakirjat | records regarding the church building |
| kirkonkirja | parish register |
| kirvesmies | carpenter |
| kisälli | journeyman |
| kohtaus | seizures, illness |
| kolera | cholera |
| kolmas | third |
| kolmaskymmenes | thirtieth |
| kolmaskymmenes-ensimmäinen | thirty-first |
| kolmastoista | thirteenth |
| kolme | three |
| kolmekymmentä | thirty |
| kolmekymmentä-yksi | thirty-one |
| kolmetoista | thirteen |
| kolmoset | triplets |
| koneenkäyttäjä | machinist |
| korkea | high |
| korkea ikä | old (high) age |
| korkein oikeus | supreme court |
| kortisto | card index |
| kortteli | block |
| koska | when, because of |
| kot(i) (-ona) | (at) home |
| kotimaa | homeland, native land |
| kotipaikka | residence |
| kotirouva | housewife |
| koulu | school |
| kouluasiakirjat | school documents |
| kouristus | convulsions, cramps |
| kramppi | cramps, convulsions |
| kreikkalaiskatolinen | (Eastern) Orthodox |
| kreivi | count (earl) |
| krenatööri | infantryman, grenadier |
| kristinoppi | (knowledge of) Christian doctrine |
| kruunu | crown, state, government |
| kuin | as |
| kuinka | how |
| kuka | who |
| kulkuri | vagabond |
| kulkutauti | epidemic |
| kultaseppä | goldsmith |
| kuluva | current |
| kummi(t) | sponsor(s), godmother, godfather |
| kun(ta) (-nat) | parish(es), commune(s) |
| kuningas | king |
| kuningaskunta | kingdom |
| kuningatar | queen |
| kuninkaallinen | royal |
| kunniallinen | honest |
| kunta | municipality |
| kuolema | death |
| kuoli | died |
| kuoli ilman perillisiä | died without issue |
| kuolinilmoitus | obituary |
| kuolinpesä | death estate |
| kuolinsyy | cause of death |
| kuolintoclistus | death certificate |
| kuolleena syntynyt | stillborn |
| kuolleet | deaths, death records |
| kuollut | dead, died |
| kuppa | syphilis |
| kurkkumätä | diphtheria |
| kuski | coachman |
| kuten | as |
| kutsu(a) (-ttu) | call(ed) |
| kuudes | sixth |
| kuudestoista | sixteenth |
| kuukausi | month |
| kuulustelu | examination |
| kuulutetut | banns, marriage intentions |
| kuume | fever |
| kuuro(mykkä) | deaf (and dumb) |
| kuusi | six |
| kuusitoista | sixteen |
| kylä | village |
| kymmenen | ten |
| kymmenes | tenth |
| käly | sister-in-law |
| käräjäkunta | primary rural judicial district, assize division |
| käräjät | local court, assizes |
| käsikirja | manual |
| käsityöläinen | artisan |
| kätilö | midwife |
| käytös | conduct |
| kääntymys | conversion |
| köyhä | poor |
| köyhäinhoitoasiakirjat | poor relief records |
| köyhäintalo | poorhouse |
| köyhien luettelot | poor relief records |
L[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| laakso | valley |
| laamanni(n)oikeus | lower court of appeal |
| lahja | gift, donation |
| lahjoitus | donations |
| laillinen | legal, legitimate |
| laiskanlukijat | list of slow readers |
| laiva | boat |
| laki | law |
| lamp. (lampuoti) | tenant farmer |
| lanko | brother-in-law |
| lap(si) (-set) | child(ren) |
| lapsenlapsi | grandchild |
| lapseton | childless |
| lapsihalvaus | polio |
| lasinleikkaaja | glass cutter, glazier |
| lastenkirjat | preconfirmation roll |
| lastenkoti | orphanage |
| Latvia | Latvia |
| Latvialainen | Latvian |
| lauantai | Saturday |
| lautamies | juror |
| lavantauti | typhoid fever |
| leipuri | baker |
| leski | widow, widower |
| levyseppä | sheet metal worker |
| Liettua | Lithuania |
| liettualainen | Lithuanian |
| linna | castle, jail |
| lki. (leski) | widow, widower |
| loinen | dependent lodger |
| lois. | dependent lodger |
| lokakuu | October |
| luettelo | list, index, directory |
| lukkari | cantor, parish clerk |
| luku | number |
| lukutaito | ability to read, literacy |
| lunastus | fee |
| luona | at |
| luonnollinen kuolema | natural death |
| luostari | monastery |
| lupa | permission |
| luterilainen | Lutheran |
| luumätä | caries |
| lähellä | near |
| lähtenyt | departed |
| länsi | west |
| läpi | through |
| läsnä | present |
| läsnäolo | presence |
| lääkäri | physician |
| lääni | county |
| lääninhallitus | county government |
| löytölapsi | foundling |
M[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| maa | land, country, earth |
| maakirja | land record |
| maakunta | province |
| maakunta-arkisto | provincial archives |
| maalaiskunta | rural parish near a city |
| maalari | painter |
| maaliskuu | March |
| maanantai | Monday |
| maanjako-oikeuden asiakirjat | documents of parcelling of land |
| maanmittari | surveyor |
| maanviljelijä | farmer |
| maasta muuttanut | emigrated |
| maattu nainen | woman who has had illicit relations |
| maine(todistus) | (certificate of) character |
| mainittu | said, stated |
| maistraatti | city administration, magistrate |
| majatalo | inn |
| makkarantekijä | sausage maker |
| maksatauti | liver disease |
| manttaali | assessment unit of land |
| manttaaliluettelo | tax list, census |
| marraskuu | November |
| matruusi | sailor |
| me | we |
| meidan | our, ours |
| mekaanikko | machinist |
| mennyt(aika) | the past |
| meri | sea |
| merimies | sailor |
| merkintä | entry, remark |
| merkitty | entered, noted |
| mestari | master, expert |
| metsä | forest |
| metsänhoitaja | forester |
| metsästäjä | hunter |
| miehistö | crew |
| mies | man, husband |
| miespuolinen | male |
| miilunpolttaja | charcoal burner |
| miksi | why |
| mikä | what, which |
| miniä | daughter-in-law |
| minun | my, mine |
| minuutti | minute |
| minä | I |
| missä | where |
| mitätön | minor, insignificant |
| m.n. (maattu nainen) | woman who has had illicit relations |
| molemmat | both |
| molempien | belonging to both |
| monenlainen | various |
| morsiain | bride, fiancée |
| morsiuspari | bridal couple |
| muistiinpano | record, note, entry |
| mummo | grandmother |
| muonamies | farmworker receiving wages in commodities |
| murha(ttu) | murder(ed) |
| mutta | but |
| muurari | mason, bricklayer |
| muut asiakirjat | miscellaneous documents |
| muutt(i) (-anut) | moved |
| muuttaneet | moving record |
| muuttokirja | certificate of moving |
| mylly | mill |
| mylläri | miller |
| myrkytys | poisoning |
| myöhäinen | late (p.m.) |
| myös(kin) | also |
| mäkitupalainen | cottager |
| mökki | cottage |
N[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| naapuri | neighbor |
| nahkuri | tanner |
| naida | to marry |
| naimaton | single, unmarried |
| naimattomana | unmarried (at the given time) |
| naimisissa | married |
| nainen | woman |
| naispuolinen | female |
| neiti | Miss |
| neitsyt | virgin |
| neljä | four |
| neljäs | fourth |
| neljästoista | fourteenth |
| neljätoista | fourteen |
| nikkari | carpenter |
| nimi | name |
| nimismies | rural police chief |
| noin | approximately |
| Norja | Norway |
| norjalainen | Norwegian |
| notariaatti | notary |
| numero | number |
| nuo | those |
| nuohooja | chimney sweeper |
| nuorempi | (the) younger |
| nuori(n) | young(est) |
| nuorimies | youth, unmarried man, bachelor |
| nuoripiika | maid, unmarried woman |
| nuoripoika | youth, unmarried man, bachelor |
| nuorukainen | young man |
| nykyinen | present, current |
| nälkä | hunger |
O[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| oikea | right (direction) |
| oikeus | right, court |
| oli | was |
| olivat | were |
| olla | to be |
| olosuhteet | circumstances |
| oluenpanija | brewer |
| oma | own (adjective) |
| omaa sukua | maiden name, née |
| omainen | relative |
| omaisuus | property |
| omistaa | to have, to own |
| omistaja | owner |
| on | is |
| opettaja | teacher |
| opiskelija | student (at university) |
| oppilas | student (grades 1 to 12), apprentice |
| orpo | orphan |
| ortodoksi | orthodox |
| o.s. (omaa sukua) | maiden name, née |
| osa | volume, part |
| osoitehakemisto | directory |
| ote | extract |
| ottolapsi | adopted child |
| ottovanhemmat | adoptive parents |
| ovat | are |
P[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| paikka(kunta) | place, locality |
| paikkakuntahakemisto | gazetteer |
| paitatehtailija | shirt maker, shirt manufacturer |
| pakolainen | refugee, fugitive |
| palo | fire |
| palvelija | servant |
| palvelu(s) | service |
| papintodistus | official certificate of birth, marriage, or death |
| pappi | clergyman, priest |
| pappila | rectory, parsonage |
| pappilan asiakirjat | records of the parsonage |
| pastori | pastor |
| pastorinkanslia | office of the parish minister |
| peltiseppä | tinner, tinsmith |
| penkkijärjestys | pew lists |
| perhe | family |
| perhehistoria | family history |
| perheluettelo | family register |
| perikunta | the heirs |
| perillinen | heir |
| perinnönjako | distribution of an inheritance |
| perintö | inheritance |
| perintötila | family (or inherited) estate |
| perjantai | Friday |
| peru(n)kirjat | private inventories of the deceased\'s property |
| perunjakokirjat | private inventories of the deceased\'s property |
| perunkirjoitus | estate inventory, probate |
| pieni | little, small |
| piika | maid, unmarried woman |
| pikkulapsi | infant |
| pikkuserkku | second cousin |
| pitäjä(läinen) | parish(ioner) |
| pitäjänkokousten pöytäkirjat | minutes of parochial meetings |
| pohjoi(s-) (-nen) | north |
| poika | boy, son |
| poikamies | bachelor |
| pois | away |
| poismennyt | deceased (adjective) |
| pojan poika | grandson, son\'s son |
| pojan tytär | granddaughter, son\'s daughter |
| polveutua | descend from |
| pormestari | mayor |
| porvari | burgher, tradesman, middle class citizen |
| posteljooni | mailman |
| preussilainen | Prussian |
| prinsessa | princess |
| prinssi | prince |
| protestantti | protestant |
| punainen | red |
| punatauti | dysentery |
| puolalainen | Polish (of Poland) |
| puolenpäivän aikaan | at noon |
| -puoli (ending) | step, half |
| puoliso | spouse |
| pursimies | boatswain |
| puuseppä | carpenter, joiner |
| puutarhuri | gardener |
| pyhä | holy, sacred, saint |
| pyhäkoululapset | list of Sunday School children |
| päin | toward |
| päivä(nä) | day |
| päivämäärä | date |
| päivätyöläinen | day laborer |
| pääkirja | communion book |
| pääsiäinen | Easter |
| pöytäkirja | minutes |
R[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| raastu(pa) (-vanoikeus) | city court |
| raatihuone | town hall |
| raatimies | council man, municipal judge |
| raha(määrä) | money (sum of) |
| rahvas | people, peasantry |
| raja | border |
| rakastajatar | concubine |
| rakennusmestari | contractor, builder |
| rakuuna | light cavalryman |
| rampa | crippled |
| raskaana | pregnant |
| ratsumestari | cavalry captain |
| ratsumies | cavalryman |
| ratsutilallinen | holder of farm obliged to furnish a cavalryman |
| ratsuväki | cavalry (men) |
| rautaseppä | iron smith |
| rautatie | railroad |
| rehellinen | honest |
| rekisteri | register, index |
| renki | youth, unmarried man, farmhand |
| rikollinen | criminal |
| rikos(luettelo) | misdemeanor (list) |
| ripitysluettelo | absolution list |
| rippikirja | communion book |
| rippilapset | confirmations |
| ripuli | diarrhea |
| risti(ä) (-itty) | baptize(d) |
| ristimäaika | baptism date |
| ristimänimi | Christian name, first name |
| ritari | knight |
| rokko | (small) pox |
| rokotetut | vaccinations |
| rouva | Mrs., wife |
| rovasti(kunta) | dean(ery) |
| ruhtinaskunta | principality |
| rulla | record, roll |
| rumpali | drummer |
| ruokamyrkytys | food poisoning |
| ruotsalainen | Swede, Swedish |
| Ruotsi | Sweden |
| ruotu | district maintaining a foot soldier |
| ruotusotilas | foot soldier |
| ruotuvaivainen | pauper, dependent on the \"ruotu\" |
| rusthollari | holder of farm obliged to furnish a cavalryman |
| rutto | plague |
| ruukki | foundry, mill, industry |
| ruumis | corpse |
| rykmentti | regiment |
| rälssi | tax exempt, nobility |
| rälssitila | tax exempt farm |
| räätäli | tailor |
S[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| s. (syntynyt) | born |
| saapuneet | arrived, moved in |
| saapuneet asiakirjat | correspondence, letters |
| saapunut | arrived |
| saha | sawmill |
| sairas | sick (person) |
| sairaus | sickness |
| sakkoluettelot | lists of fines |
| saksalainen | German |
| sama | same |
| sanakirja | dictionary |
| sanomalehti | newspaper |
| sanottu | said, stated |
| satulantekijä | saddle maker |
| savenvalaja | potter |
| se | it |
| seitsemän | seven |
| seitsemäntoista | seventeen |
| seitsemäs | seventh |
| seitsemästoista | seventeenth |
| sekä | and, also |
| sen | its |
| seppä | smith |
| seppä | blacksmith |
| serkku | cousin |
| setä | uncle (paternal) |
| seura | society (genealogical) |
| seuraava | next |
| seurakunta | parish |
| seutu | region, vicinity |
| siellä | there |
| siirtolainen | emigrant, immigrant |
| siirtolaisrekisteri | emigration records |
| siirtolaisuus | immigration |
| siirtolaisuus | emigration |
| sikotauti | mumps |
| sikäläinen | of that place |
| silta | bridge |
| sinun | your, yours (singular) |
| sinä | you (singular) |
| sisar | sister |
| sisarenpoika | nephew, sister\'s son |
| sisarentytär | niece, sister\'s daughter |
| sisarpuoli | half-sister, stepsister |
| sisarukset | siblings |
| sisko | sister |
| sisäinen | inside |
| sisällysluettelo | register, index |
| sisältö | contents |
| siviilirekisteri | civil registration |
| sivu | page |
| sokea | blind |
| sokeritauti | diabetes |
| sorvari | turner |
| sota | war |
| sotamies | soldier |
| sotaväki | troops, army |
| sotilas | soldier, military |
| suku | family |
| sukua(olla) | related |
| sukukirjat | lineage books |
| sukulainen | relative |
| sukulaisuus | relationship |
| sukunimi | surname |
| sukupolvi | generation |
| sukupuoli | sex |
| sukupuolitauti | venereal disease |
| sukupuu | family tree, pedigree |
| sukuselvitys | report of family relationships |
| sukutaulu | genealogical table |
| sukutiede | genealogy |
| sukututkimus | genealogical research |
| sukututkimusseura | genealogical society |
| sulhanen | bridegroom, fiancé |
| sunnuntai | Sunday |
| suomalainen | Finnish |
| Suomi | Finland |
| suorittaa | perform |
| suostumus | consent |
| suuri | big, great |
| suutari | shoemaker |
| sydänvika | heart trouble |
| syksy | autumn |
| sylilapsi | baby, infant |
| synnytys | childbirth |
| syntymä | birth |
| syntymäaika | date of birth |
| syntymäpaikka | place of birth |
| syntymätodistus | birth certificate |
| syntyneet | births, birth records |
| syntynyt | born, maiden surname |
| syyskuu | September |
| syytinki | allowance, person receiving allowance |
| syöpä | cancer |
| säteri | tax exempt estate |
| sääty (läinen) | station, class, standing (person of) |
T[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| tahtoa | to want |
| tai | or |
| taiteilija | artist |
| takana | behind |
| talo | house |
| talollinen | farmer |
| talonpoika | peasant farmer |
| talous | household |
| talousapulainen | housemaid |
| talvi | winter |
| tammikuu | January |
| tap(po) (-ettu) | murder(ed) |
| tapaturma | accident |
| tarkastuspöytäkirjat | visitations |
| taulu(kko) | table, chart |
| tauti | disease |
| te | you (plural) |
| tehdas | factory |
| teidan | your, yours (plural) |
| testamentti | will, testament |
| teurastaja | butcher |
| tie | road |
| tiedottaja | informant |
| tiilentekijä | brickmaker |
| tiistai | Tuesday |
| tila | house, farm |
| tilallinen | farm owner |
| tilikirjat | record of accounts |
| titattomat | landless population |
| todistaja | witness |
| todistus | certificate, evidence |
| toimeentulo | livelihood |
| toimi | occupation |
| toimittaa | perform |
| toinen | other, second |
| toisella nimellä | alias, a.k.a. |
| -ton (ending) | without, not |
| tontti | parcel |
| tori | market |
| torppari | crofter, tenant farmer |
| torstai | Thursday |
| toukokuu | May |
| tsaari | czar |
| tuhkarokko | measles |
| tulehdus | inflammation |
| tulipalo | fire |
| tulirokko | scarlet fever |
| tulli | customs |
| tullut (+ -sta or -lta) | came (from) |
| tuntematon | unknown |
| tunti | hour |
| tuomari | judge |
| tuomio | judgment |
| tuomioistuin | court |
| tuomiokirkko | cathedral |
| tuomiokunta | judicial district |
| tupa | cottage, house |
| turvotus | swelling, edema |
| tynnyrintekijä | cooper, barrel maker |
| tyttären poika | grandson, daughter\'s son |
| tyttären tytär | granddaughter, daughter\'s daughter |
| tyttö | girl, daughter |
| tytär | daughter |
| työläinen | laborer |
| työmies | laborer |
| työntekijä | laborer |
| täkäläinen | of this place |
| tällä paikkakunnalla | in this place |
| tämä | this |
| tämä paikka | this place |
| tänään | today |
| täti | aunt |
| täysi-ikäinen | of legal age |
| täällä | here |
U[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| ukko | old man |
| ulko | outer |
| ulkoluku | reciting from memory |
| ulkomaalainen | foreign, strange |
| ummetus | constipation |
| usein | often |
| uskonto | religious affiliation |
| uudisasukas | settler |
| uusi | new |
V[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| v. (vihitty) | married |
| vaakuna | coat of arms |
| vaakunaoppi | heraldry |
| vaari | grandfather |
| vahtimestari | caretaker |
| vaimo | wife, married women |
| vainaja | deceased, (the) late |
| vaivainen | poor, sickly |
| vaivaisrahat | poor relief accounts |
| vaivaisruodut | poor relief records |
| vaivaistalo | poorhouse |
| vajaamielinen | mentally defective |
| vakituinen | permanent, regular |
| valokuvaaja | photographer |
| valtakunta | state, empire |
| valtio | state |
| Valtionarkisto | state archives |
| valuri | foundry worker |
| vanha | old |
| vanhapoika | bachelor |
| vanhemmat | parents |
| vanhempi | (the) older |
| vanhin | oldest, elder |
| vanhus | old person |
| vanhuus | old age |
| vanki | prisoner |
| vankila | prison |
| vapaa | free |
| vapaaherra(tar) | baron(ess) |
| vapaasääty | nobility |
| varas | thief |
| varkaus | theft |
| varrella | by, at side |
| varten | for the purpose of |
| vartia | warden |
| vasen | left (direction) |
| vaskiseppä | coppersmith |
| vastaanotettu | received |
| vastanainut | newlywed |
| vastasyntynyt | newborn |
| vasten | against |
| vatsatauti | stomach disease |
| vauva | baby |
| vauva(na) | (as an) infant |
| veli | brother |
| velipuoli | half-brother |
| veljenpoika | nephew, brother\'s son |
| veljentytär | niece, brother\'s daughter |
| velka | debt |
| Venäjä | Russia |
| venäläinen | Russian |
| verensyöksy | hemorrhage |
| verenvuoto | hemorrhage |
| veritulppa | blood clot |
| vero | tax |
| verotus | taxation |
| vesipöhö | dropsy, edema |
| vesirokko | chicken pox |
| vielä | still |
| vieras(seurakuntalainen) | guest, person not of a given parish |
| vierasseurakuntalaisten historiakirjat | registers of members of other parishes |
| vihityt | marriages, marriage records |
| vihkiminen | marriage (ceremony) |
| vihkimäsopimus | marriage contract |
| vihkimätodistus | marriage certificate |
| vihreä | green |
| viides | fifth |
| viidestoista | fifteenth |
| viikko | week |
| viime | last, past |
| viisi | five |
| viisitoista | fifteen |
| virasta eronnut | retired |
| virasto | office, department |
| virka | office, position, occupation |
| virkaa tekevä | officiating, deputy |
| virkamies | public official |
| virkatodistus | official certificate (of birth, marriage, or death) |
| Viro | Estonia |
| virolainen | Estonian |
| vouti | bailiff, overseer (historical governor) |
| v.t. (virkaa tekevä) | officiating, deputy |
| vuoden ikäinen | years of age |
| vuokralainen | lodger |
| vuori | mountain |
| vuorokausi | twenty-four hours |
| vuosi | year |
| vuosi(päiva) (-juhla) | anniversary |
| vuosikymmen | decade, decennial |
| vuosisata | century |
| vuosittain(en) | yearly |
| vuotias | years old |
| väestö(rekisteri) | population (registry) |
| väestönlaskenta | census |
| väki | people, folk, crew, forces |
| väliaikainen | temporary |
| välillä | between |
| välittömästi | immediately, direct |
| värjääja | dyer |
| vävy | son-in-law |
Y[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| yhdeksän | nine |
| yhdeksäntoista | nineteen |
| yhdeksäs | ninth |
| yhdeksästoista | nineteenth |
| yhdestoista | eleventh |
| yhteinen | together, belonging to both |
| yhteiskunta | community |
| yksi | one |
| yksitoista | eleven |
| yleinen | general, common |
| yli, ylä | over, upper, ended |
| ylkä | bridegroom |
| ylä | upper |
| ympärillä | around |
| yskä | cough (noun) |
| ystävä | friend |
| yö | night |
Ä[edit | edit source]
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| äidinisä | grandfather (maternal) |
| äidinäiti | grandmother (maternal) |
| äiditön | motherless |
| äiti | mother |
| äitipuoli | stepmother |
| äpärä | illegitimate child |
Months
Tammikuu January
Helmikuu February
Maaliskuu March
Huhtikuu April
Toukokuu May
Kesäkuu June
Heinäkuu July
Elokuu August
Syyskuu September
Lokakuu October
Marraskuu November
Joulukuu December
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For more help, use a Finnish-English dictionary. Several such dictionaries are available at the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary. in the Scandinavia collection. Their call numbers begin with 494.541321. The following dictionary is also available on microfilmLook this term up in the glossary. for use in Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary.:
Alanne, V. S. Suomalais-englantilainen suursanakirja [Great Finnish-English Dictionary]. 3rd ed. Porvoo: Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö, 1968. (FHL film 1224706 item 3.)
Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under FINNISH LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES or in the Locality Search under FINLAND - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES - DICTIONARIES.
References[edit | edit source]
Family History Department. Genealogical Word List: Finnish. by the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, 1997
