Something that has helped me learning a langyage in general is to listen a lot of music and reading. Even if I don't understand a word on what I am looking at, it also familiarizes you with the structure of the language and you start recognizing patterns and words here and there. Signing along the lyrics of a song you enjoy also helps tremendously with pronunciation and memory :) I agree on what you said about being prepared to make mistakes, that actually lifts a lot of pressure when you start. I've always loved your language ❤ I hope I can visit Finland soon!

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thanks for sharing them.

@bettyakkemaai5499

Жыл бұрын

Yes thats right i am listening to finnish songs , I sing along🤭☺️ (a little ) but don't understand much of what I am singing . I understand more and more words out of the songs every day

Hi, Aleksi. I'm a beginner, thanks for the tips. 1 0:23 What do you want to achieve? 2 1:38 Get the basic feeling 3 2:11 Just get started 4 2:35 Once you get started, keep going! 5 3:30 Ignore the grammar! 6 5:43 Learn smarter with apps! 7 6:41 Diversify your resources 8 7:44 Start thinking like a Finn 9 8:32 Get ready to fail 10 9:44 Start speaking from Day 1

As a programmer, I feel like learning the grammar is the best part. I wish the IETF made an RFC on finnish the grammatic system though! It is so beautiful and complex compared to primitive languages like my mothertounge, swedish.

@AleksiHimself

Жыл бұрын

Good stuff!

Long story. Basically, some of my F1 heroes are Finnish - and they are the coolest guys, Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen, and their accents are just the absolute best. And they’re both great guys personality wise too, very fantastic people. This wouldn’t be my first time being exposed to such things, but from experience being forced to learn languages at school - I sort of fell out of love with trying to learn any language. I’d always wanted to learn either Chinese or Japanese, but cos of my experiences (unpleasant ones) just shied away from it. I’ve tried to learn German, French, a little bit of Japanese - even got tossed into Spanish class, and because I guess I never cared I just decided maybe learning languages isn’t my thing. This is over the last couple years too, or maybe more like the last decade. Anyway, I’m just minding my own business - then something hits me out of the middle of nowhere, and here I am learning Finnish the last four weeks everyday. I think it was primarily my curiosity about Mika and Kimi that got me out of my shy zone, secretly I want to be like both of them - but what about these Finns in general? Ends up, I think I was born in the wrong place. 👏🏻 Learning about more of the culture and the way Finns do things is awesome. Literally, what went from ‘I could totally live in Finland!’ (a joke about the cold weather, cos I like it) turned into, ‘I am going to be a Finn!’, and then I decided to take one Finnish. English is my mother tongue, and so looking up Finnish and how difficult it was was really a 50/50. Some people said it was hard, others said it was really easy. But I find the grammar and everything really easy, I especially like how there’s no crazy gender nouns attributed to items or whatever some of the Romance languages tend to do. It’s a very no-bullshit language, it doesn’t pull any funny shit on you. I love it! And now here I am after doing exactly what this video suggests, ‘looking for other sources to get information from’. I love your content and am glad I found your channel! 💛🇫🇮

Another great video from Aleksi Himself. Most people first start learning a foreign language in school, which is an artificial context, because they learn it for the grades and because it's in the curriculum. I think that sticks with us as adults when we try learning foreign languages because of a need to communicate with the natives. This is why I believe it is so hard in the beginning and why people are afraid of making mistakes. It's about getting it in your head that the natives won't judge you and won't laugh at you for trying to speak their language and only want to understand you. After that, if you put a bit of effort into it and practise regularly, you should be fine. Speaking of sources, I started with just Worddive, but it wasn't enough for me, so I added the Suomen mestari textbook, and now I also started lessons on italki. I'm the kind of person who needs grammar (I studied foreign languages so I have the linguistic interest too) and more sources. I also follow a lot of stuff related to Finland, I listen to music in Finnish, I watch Finnish movies if I can and videos on youtube, and a lot of Finns at work are friendly with me and accept speaking with me in Finnish from time to time. So basically I try to immerse myself in Finnish, can't think of a better way to learn. PS: I like your curtains. :)

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

With those methods you should make progress fast, especially if you combine practical speaking practice with other resources. It's true that no app alone can make you good. It's merely a good resource. Let me know how the Italki lessons work for you.

I'd like to learn Finnish just because I love the hell out of Nightwish. I'm not even Finnish. My Grandma was Swedish tho! So, less cool than Finland ;)

@Gibbetoo

5 жыл бұрын

Nightwish is amazing.

Hyvä video! I would suggest watching finnish childrens shows like the moomins (which i think you can find some on youtube) sense they speak clearly and usually more calmly. Also try using the finnish dub or sub on dvds if posible, i know atleast the harry potter dvds have pretty much every sub you can think of! But in the end i think you need a teacher/class, these tips are good in the beginning if you dont have acces to a teacher or as extra support and bonus practice :) sorry for my english ja kiva aina kuulla kun ulkomaalaset on kiinnostunu suomen opiskelemisesta, toivottavasti opiskelu sujuu hyvin!

@irgendwie_irgendwo

4 жыл бұрын

I learnt German by reading asterix and harry potter. I did have a few years of basics under my belt though. I think I need Finnish kids books because I'm such a beginner

I discovered your channel right on cue! I've just started learning Finnish, because I'm going to move to Finland next year. I would want to be able to cope with very basic daily life situations. It took me eight years to finally start learning this beautiful language.

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the squad! More videos coming in the future. :)

@wannerknappe0483

3 жыл бұрын

How is your Finnish right now?

nice curtain.

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Your videos keep getting better & better

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Crystal!

Hey! Thank you so muсh for your videos! I love your voice and the way of speaking :) It would be great to hear from you some advice about finish playlist (I mean music), because I guess Sibelius is not enough for me now:)

Awesome video, Aleksi! I believe in total cultural immersion by way of media, and friends and family. I lost my Finnish grandpa in 1975, so I will try to find a way to learn and also, I would like to speak with etalä-Pohjanmaa accent, like my ancestors.

Hello Aleksi! I'm so grateful With you, thanks to your videos I was able to have one of the best experiences in my life! Last week, The Rasmus came to my city, and I've been a big fan of them since 2003 so I went to 2 concerts. In the first one, I won a meet and greet session and I told them " musta oot ihana" they were surprised and I also showed them a poster of a Finnish song and they seemed pleased. In the second concert I couldn't win any meet and greet, but I just wrote " musta oot ihana" in a " big" poster, so they were able to see it from the stage. They recognized me and waved their hands. I felt over the moon!! 😊🇫🇮 So I want to thank you, cause I learnt that expression ( and more) from your videos ! Kiitos paljon Aleksi! 😊💕🇫🇮

@mab3900

3 жыл бұрын

Wow amazing story! I like the Rasmus too

@AleksiHimself

Жыл бұрын

That's amazing!

I have heard the songs "Nyet Molotoff" and the Sakkijarvi Polka in Finnish. Those are old songs. I have also heard Loituma's Ievan Polka.

My mother-tongue is another finno-ugric - Dávvi Sámegiella, and I can recognize so many words, the sentence structure is also familiar. I think the idea is just learning vocabulary first, and then kásus/grammar forms.

I wish I has family members left who were fluid speakers. The only one left if my grandmother's brother and he is retired in another state.

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

I see, but you can use ex. the internet the find new ones. :)

10 awesome tips! An amazing YT channel for learning Finnish: Finnished she's amazing!!! 😎

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

I know her channel she makes good videos too.

What Finnish speaking youtubers or films/series do you recommend?

@veetee355

5 жыл бұрын

Check out niilo22. He is a finnish youtuber

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

KZreadrs: Sita Salminen, Mmiisas, Roni Back for example.

@dabtican4953

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys

@loredanab4389

5 жыл бұрын

If you have Netflix, try Karppi/Deadwind and Bordertown. You can also try Learn Finnish with Comedy here on youtube.

@kittieknaz

5 жыл бұрын

Dave Cad, Cat Peterson?

My Summer Car and Korpiklaani brought me here. Kiitos Aleksi!

@AleksiHimself

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Don!

Hei, kiitos paljon! Minä opiskelen suomea elokuusta koska minä haluaisin asua Suomessa :) I'm not confident enough to speak Finnish to my Finnish friends, but I try to text them avoiding English... what about doing a video in which you present some everyday expressions? I mean something more than "Moi, mita kuuluu?"... for example I felt great when I started saying "En tarvi kuittia, kiitos" so simple, but so useful :) New sub, I will check id you've already done something similar :) Hyvää yötä!

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Hey and welcome to the squad! That's a great video idea. I'll write it down. :)

Thanks for another awesome video, Aleksi! Although I'm not learning Suomi, your suggestions are useful for ANY language. I'm studying Scottish Gaelic because I'm planning on moving to Scotland, and it turns out that I'm already using a lot of your suggestions, especially the one about thinking in the target language. The more exposure you get to a language, the more comfortable you get with it, and speaking starts to flow naturally and effortlessly. Also, your videos are so motivating and upbeat that they're always fun to watch. Kiitos!

@jasonjames6870

Жыл бұрын

How did the move go

@Apollonos

Жыл бұрын

@@jasonjames6870 Sadly, it didn't go at all. I discovered that you can't just move to Scotland and become a Scottish citizen. Because Scotland is a part of the UK, you can only apply to become a British citizen through the Tory-controlled "Home Office" in London. The Tories hate immigrants, so they almost never give permission. The only way I'll ever get to Scotland is if Scotland becomes an independent country. The Scots are very friendly and welcoming, and they love immigrants.

@jasonjames6870

Жыл бұрын

@@Apollonos where do you live now.

@Apollonos

Жыл бұрын

@@jasonjames6870 California. The weather is nice, but I can't get decent haggis.

@jasonjames6870

Жыл бұрын

@@Apollonos yer I've been very beautiful place. Just a word of warning if you're only learning Gaelic to live in Scotland you are actually wasting your time. It's a beautiful language but has never been the main language for Scotland. If you want to learn a language that everyone in Scotland uses to some extent it's actually Scots. And as you speak English it's very easy to pick up as it's a sister language and how all of England used to speak hundreds of years ago. As for immigration the conservatives have the most immigrants in their political party so it's not that they dislike people coming in. The only way to move here would be as a student or with a specialist skill. If you are serious about the UK I'd say visit everywhere and consider England aswell as people generally have an easier time settling in.

Absolute true about the grammar! That made German difficult for me honestly I wish I’d taken a more casual and practical approach

@AleksiHimself

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jessica!

the eureka moment!! Thk for ur video

@AleksiHimself

10 күн бұрын

Welcome!

I love these language,amazing

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Anderson Santucci!

If you don't have any great goals about Finnish, AND you would like some silly jokes while learning, I highly recommend Duolingo's Finnish course. I've enjoyed it so much! I wish this course be much longer, but we have what we have. Anyway, mikä kurssi opetti minua sanoa "Tämä valkoinen pupu on tosi vaarallinen", "Metsässä kavelee valkoinen velho. Tai hän on harmaa velho?" tai "Miksi punainen lintu on vihainen? Koska vihreä sika on tuhma!".

In other news...thumbs up for the kids on the swings! Yay outdoor exercise (it's still a thing with covid, right?)😆

@AleksiHimself

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it is! This was filmed before COVID tho.

hyvä juttu Aleksi

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Kiitti kommentista Abou belk!

Love all of your tips! Wish I could hear you better. The backroom music is so loud in comparison to your voice.

@AleksiHimself

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry about that. In my older videos I had too loud music.

Hi Aleksi! I started using an app so ive been learning vocab and I have a finnish music playlist that I listen to. I think words are easy to pronounce as most of them are pronounced as they are witten if I read them in spanish. However, To me is basically learning new words as they aren't similar to any other words in spanish

@espe1009

5 жыл бұрын

I was thinking of Finnish language classes but they a very expensive here in México as Finnish ins't common

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Yes I bet pronouncing will be easy, but I didn't quite understand the second part of your comment. If you can't afford classes, try the 1-on-1 classes I recommended at the end of the video. They are quite cheap and you will learn a lot more because the teachers will focus only on you.

@gabrielacarlon3953

5 жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you ! 🤣

@gabrielacarlon3953

5 жыл бұрын

I guess the second part of her comment has to do with the similarity of words. For example, some French, Italian or even English words are similar to Spanish, so it's easier to associate them with Spanish. However, Finnish words are not similar to Spanish words 😓, so we have to memorize the meaning 😋

@espe1009

5 жыл бұрын

@@gabrielacarlon3953 Yeah that's it. Thank you.

Nice video

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Harry!

Hyvä neuvo! Teen paljon näistä! Jos voi, katselu ja kuuntele biisiä/videot kanssa käännökset kovin hyödyllinen. ("Ihmisten Puolue" on tullut yks suosikkini televisio-ohjelmista! KOVIN HAUSKA..) Opiskellut "Mitä sinä teet" tarkoittaa "what are you doing?" (Ja "istun" tarkoitta "sitting") ennen kuin se mainittiin opetus koska Ihmisten. "Koska" samoin, nyt kun ajattelen sitä. Ja jos on jotain tietty haluan sanoa- kuin nyt- yritän kääntää sen minä itse kanssa Google. (Muista tehdä tämä pienissä paloissa! Muut viisaat Internet-käännökset ovat hyödyttömiä. ;-P ) Tämä auttaa harjoittelemaan myös suomen kirjallisesti. Puhe on samanlainen. Nyt laske suomeksi enemmän kuin englanniksi. Oppia sanoja ruokaa varten etc. Pidän keinuilla, yks ensimmäisistä sanoista opin oli "KEINUT" ••• Eri aihe nyt mutta tilasin kolme purkkia lihaa luota tasteoffinland.com (Poronliha, Hirvenliha, Villisianliha) Ihmettelen, onko sinulla ehdotuksia siitä, miten syödä tai valmistaa niitä? Kiiti! (JA ONNITTELUT KOLMETOISTA TUHAT TILAAJAT!! 🎉)

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Kiitti kommentista Belle Gold!

I feel like the hardest part is learning how to sound emotionless. 😂

@AleksiHimself

3 жыл бұрын

Haha :D

Päivää, se on hyvä video, mutta minä haluan kysyä sinulta. Im currently learning Finnish and there is but one problem. I cant seem to find people to practice talking with. I know its pretty important too. I mean i play some video games here and there but cant seem to find any Finns to communicate on a daily basis with. Is there places where Finns gather (exept for the marketplace) where you can find a "speak to" buddy of something like that? P.S. I have a Swedish friend who s having the same problem for some reason, even tho Sweden is like, close to Finland.

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Did you watch till the end of the video? You should consider doing online 1-on-1 speaking lessons.

@Aleksanteeri

5 жыл бұрын

@@AleksiHimself Yeah, gonna try that, tho i am learning Finnish with a teacher already, and i do go to Finland quite often anyway, ill see if itaki courses can help me start speaking even more.

hei those apps are quite good too fun easy learn 5000 phrases and fun easy learn 6000 words (suomen kieli) so helpful, kippis bro btw great videos and information about your awesome country you are doing great! kiitos

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment fraklin m!

So do you learn through translation or just using the target language

Do you have any resources for Finnish phonetics?

Im beginner i need this

I'd love to fly for FinnAir but you have to be fluent in Finnish and I don't know if I'll ever get to that level 😅

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Do you mean like as a steward? I bet they don't require Finnish for all their flights.

@jancovanderwesthuizen8070

5 жыл бұрын

@@AleksiHimself No, as a pilot. I've read up on their website, unfortunately you do have to be fluent in both English and Finnish.

Could I request a video for job/school interview conversation ,please?

@AleksiHimself

Жыл бұрын

Sure!

@thetminkhantoo5271

Жыл бұрын

@@AleksiHimself thank you so much

@07:34 🤣🤣🤭

Not really related to the video, but just heard about a finnish kind horror chrismas movie Rare exports! Something you might want to meantion! makes Spede show Gansterit skets make a lot more sense! Oh! And thanks for calling me cool! Ps: Tony’s chocolonely är den rätta chokladen!

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment HarriHaffi!

Olut + korkinaukaisin = How to survive in Finland (I'm not sure, but it's working anyway :D)

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

That's surely works! You can also use "korkinavaaja". :)

minä rakastan suomen sukat, does that mean something ? i crafted this phrase with what my finnish friend is saying xd

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

"I love the socks of Finland". :P

@Stweak

5 жыл бұрын

@@AleksiHimself hahafahahaha

@barbershop2536

3 жыл бұрын

Stweak If u really love your finnish socks it should be minä rakastan suomalasia sukkia. In this case the object takes the partitive-case. As you would say minä rakastan SINUA, not (sinun or sinut)

Memrise unfortunately doesn't have Finnish...which is a shame as I enjoyed using it for Svenska

@AleksiHimself

Жыл бұрын

It does, but you need to search them on the web version. app.memrise.com/courses/finnish/finnish/

Am I weird for wanting to learn languages because I feel rude that we can be lazy because every other country learns to speak English? 😅 (Seriously many people I know are like 'whats the point of learning X they learn English anyway 😱) I just pick languages of friends that I have so I might actually get to use it. (I have learnt languages before and because of never using them always forget).

Hei Aleksi

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Moro!

Normally I would love to understand the songs I listen but they all have street language sentences 😅

@AleksiHimself

5 жыл бұрын

Songs are kinda difficult to way to learn, especially at the beginning.

Memrise does not have Finnish as an option for languages to learn.

@AleksiHimself

4 жыл бұрын

It does but you need to add it on the desktop. You can't add it directly from the mobile version.

Well im here at finland lool

Memrise doesnt offer finnish as a course

@AleksiHimself

4 жыл бұрын

It does. You need to activate in from the web version.

@brianafredline1785

4 жыл бұрын

@@AleksiHimself oh. I have the app version.

I don’t see Finnish on memrise! 😫😫

You speak the truth about grammar. For the first 2 months I studied nothing but grammar thinking it'd help me in the long run; turns out it's fucking useless because you never get to integrate it. You can't start learning grammar from the beginning, because grammar isn't the foundation of a language. The actual word are. How can use practice using the grammar if you don't know any vocabulary? You can't, and ultimately that's it's downfall. "Finnish An Essential Grammar" is good at teaching Finnish; but I don't think it's a good resource for learning Finnish, if that makes any sense. You need something to build off of (anything more than nothing) before you go balls into grammar.

@barbershop2536

3 жыл бұрын

Totally disagree. The grammar IS the foundation of a language. Of course every Finn would understand you if you say Minä halua juoda olut although it sounds terrible in their ears. But for your own confidence you'd ratherr say Minä haluaN juoda olutTA. Greatings from mr Grammar-freak.

I'm using Duolingo, and frankly, IT SUCKS. It doesn't teach you basic conversational Finnish. I can tell you how red the round apple is, or that the Estonian baby is laughing, but that's just about it.