LESSON NOTES

Learn Finnish in Three Minutes #5Making Apologies

CONTENTS

2 Grammar

# 5

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FI NNI S HPOD101.COM LEARN FI NNI S H I N THREE MI NUTES #5 - MAKI NG APOLOGI ES 2

GRAMMAR

The focus of this lesson is making apologies in Finnish

Topic 1: How to say "Excuse me"

Sentence from the lesson: 'Anteeksi.' "Excuse me."

1. We can be used anteeksi in formal situations, such as when we are ordering something in bars or restaurants. For example: Anteeksi, saisinko kahvin, kiitos. "Excuse me, could a get a coffee please."

2. We can also use it when asking a question: Anteeksi, missä on tuomiokirkko? "Excuse me, where is the Dome?"

3. Sometimes we also hear people say anteeksi, which means the same thing when you want to draw somebody's attention.

4. Anteeksi can be used in formal and informal situations. We can use anteeksi when asking a question, or when apologizing.

Topic 2: How to say "I'm sorry."

Sentence from the lesson:

'Olen pahoillani' "I am sorry."

1. If you really want to apologize for something, it might be better to use a different phrase. That phrase is Olen pahoillani. It means "I am sorry." and can be used in both formal and informal situations. olla - "to be." When this is conjugated for minä, in Finnish, it is olen. pahoillani, meaning "sorry."

Language Tip

FI NNI S HPOD101.COM LEARN FI NNI S H I N THREE MI NUTES #5 - MAKI NG APOLOGI ES 3

Please remember that in Finland if you accidentally bump into someone, it's more common to say anteeksi than "I am sorry," olen pahoillani.