False Friends

Some Finnish words that look like they ought to be familiar to an English-speaker, but actually aren’t. Here are some of those Finnish “false friends”:

Finnish Word	Looks Like…	But Means...
Alas	Alas (Sadly)	Down
Ale	Ale (Beer)	Sale/discount
Asia	Asia	Thing/matter
Bändit	Bandit (criminal)	(Music) Bands
Fagotti	Fagot	Bassoon
Greippi	Grape	Grapefruit
Happi	Happy	Oxygen
Harmonikka	Harmonica (Mouth Organ)	Accordion
Helppo	Help	Easy
Hinta	Hint	Price
Housut	House	Trousers (UK) / Pants (US)
Impi	Imp	Maid / Nymph
Joki	Joke	River
Kaniini	Canine	Rabbit
Katu	Cat	Street
Kissa	Kiss	Cat
Kone	Cone	Machine
Kulta	Cult	Gold
Lama	Llama	Depression / Recession
Lampi	Lamp	Pond
Lapsi	Lapse	Child
Lento	Lent	Flight
Liima	Lima (in Peru)	Glue
Lintu	Lint	Bird
Mappi	Map	Binder
Me	Me	We
Nappi	Nappy (UK English for diaper)	Button
Nauti	Naughty	Enjoy
Pantti	Panty	Deposit
Piste	Piste (Ski Slope)	Dot
Porkkana	Pork	Carrot
Porta	Port / Portal	Steps /Stairs
Pussi	Pussy	Carrier bag
Pusu	Pus	Kiss
Riski	Risky	Strong
Ruska	Rusk	Autumn colours
Takki	Tacky	Jacket
Tunnelma	Tunnel	Ambience
Undulaatti	Undulate	Budgie
Unikko	Unique	Poppy
Uuni	Uni(versity)	Oven
Veto	Veto	Bet