Ordering Food and Drinks in Finnish

Explore ruokailu ja juomatilaukset (ordering food and drinks) to navigate Finnish menus and cafés

Whether you’re at a café, restaurant, or bar in Finland, knowing how to order food and drinks in Finnish is a valuable skill. Even though many Finns speak English, using Finnish phrases shows respect for the culture and makes your experience more enjoyable.

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Key Phrases for Ordering

1. Minä haluaisin… – I would like...

   • Minä haluaisin kahvia. – I would like coffee.

2. Voisinko saada…? – Could I have...?

   • Voisinko saada ruokalistan? – Could I have the menu?

3. Saisinko…? – May I have...?

   • Saisinko teetä? – May I have tea?

4. Otan… – I’ll take...

   • Otan hampurilaisen. – I’ll take a hamburger.

5. Mitä suosittelette? – What do you recommend?

   • Useful if you want suggestions from the waiter.

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Useful Vocabulary

Drinks

• vesi – water

• kahvi – coffee

• tee – tea

• mehu – juice

• maito – milk

• limsa – soda

• olut – beer

• viini – wine

Food

• aamiainen – breakfast

• lounas – lunch

• illallinen – dinner

• salaatti – salad

• keitto – soup

• leipä – bread

• liha – meat

• kala – fish

• kana – chicken

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Questions You Might Hear

1. Mitä haluatte? – What would you like?

   • Respond with Haluaisin... – I would like...

2. Haluatteko lisää? – Would you like more?

   • Respond with Kyllä, kiitos. – Yes, please, or Ei, kiitos. – No, thank you.

3. Onko kaikki hyvin? – Is everything okay?

   • Respond with Kyllä, kaikki on hyvin. – Yes, everything is fine.

4. Jälkiruokaa? – Dessert?

   • Respond with Kyllä, haluaisin jäätelöä. – Yes, I’d like ice cream.

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Paying the Bill

1. Voisinko saada laskun? – Could I have the bill?

2. Maksaako tämä erikseen vai yhdessä? – Will this be paid separately or together?

3. Kortilla vai käteisellä? – By card or cash?

   • Kortilla. – By card.

   • Käteisellä. – By cash.

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Example Conversation

Waiter: Mitä haluaisitte? – What would you like?
You: Haluaisin pizzan ja lasillisen viiniä, kiitos. – I’d like a pizza and a glass of wine, please.
Waiter: Haluatteko jälkiruokaa? – Would you like dessert?
You: Kyllä, haluaisin jäätelöä. – Yes, I’d like ice cream.

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Quick Reference

• To order politely: Haluaisin, Saisinko, Voisinko saada

• To ask for recommendations: Mitä suosittelette?

• To ask for the bill: Voisinko saada laskun?

• Drinks: kahvi (coffee), tee (tea), olut (beer)

• Food: salaatti (salad), keitto (soup), liha (meat)

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Final Tips

1. Practice key phrases like Haluaisin... and Voisinko saada... for smooth ordering.

2. Familiarise yourself with common food and drink vocabulary to make your experience easier.

3. Use polite expressions like kiitos (thank you) often to leave a good impression.

Ordering food and drinks in Finnish can be a fun and rewarding way to practice the language in real-life situations.

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Nauti ateriastasi! (Enjoy your meal!)

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