Finnish Language - Lesson 17: Vocal Harmony
Vokaaliharmonia (Vocal Harmony) In Finnish there are two types of vowels: Group 1: A, o, u Group 2: Ä, ö, y Besides these you also have e and i. These two groups do not mix, so there are no words with a mix of these two groups. Unless they are compound words. For example: Yhdyssanat (Compound Words) kesä (summer) + loma (holiday) = kesäloma (summer holiday) Lainasanat (Loaned Words) The endings will be from the same vowel group: Aamu (morning): aamulla (in the morning) Yö (night): yöllä (at night) Notice how the words will always have vowels from the same group: Tuletko tänään? Are you coming today? Menetkö ulos? Are you going out? Suomalaiset juovat paljon kahvia. Finnish people drink a lot of coffee. Suomalaisen syövät paljon leipää. Finns eat a lot of bread. Minä olen kesälomalla (compound word). I am on summer holiday.