🇫🇮 Finnish phrases

How to Say "What does this mean?" in Finnish

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Mitä tämä tarkoittaa?
"What does this mean?" in Finnish · say it like mee-tah tah-mah tar-koi-tah

The most natural way to say "What does this mean?" in Finnish is Mitä tämä tarkoittaa?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Mitä se tarkoittaa?
A more casual way to ask, often used in conversation.
Mitä tämä merkitsee?
A slightly more formal variant, suitable for written contexts.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to understand the meaning of something. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. It's appropriate in conversations, discussions, or when reading something unclear.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What does this mean?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Finnish

FinnishEnglish
Mitä tämä tarkoittaa, kun sanot sen näin?What does this mean when you say it like this?
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'tämä' and 'se', using 'se' instead of 'tämä' when referring to something close.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Mitä tämä tarkoittaa?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Finnish with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal email?

Yes, it's appropriate to use in both formal and informal contexts.

Learn Finnish by speaking it

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