Vegetables – Vihannekset tai Kasvikset
March 11, 2019
September 1, 2024
There are two words for “vegetables” in Finnish: vihannes (vihannekset) and kasvis (kasvikset). Both are commonly used. Learn some food vocabulary to help you in the kitchen!
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| bataatti | sweet potato |
| brysselinkaali | brussels sprouts |
| endiivi | endive |
| fenkoli | fennel |
| herne | pea |
| jäävuorisalaatti | iceberg lettuce |
| kaali | cabbage |
| keräkaali | headed cabbage |
| kesäkurpitsa | zucchini |
| kiinankaali | Chinese cabbage |
| kikherne | chickpea |
| kirsikkatomaatti | cherry tomato |
| kukkakaali | cauliflower |
| kurkku | cucumber |
| kurpitsa | pumpkin |
| lanttu | rutabaga |
| lehtisalaatti | lettuce |
| maa-artisokka | Jerusalem artichoke |
| maissi | corn |
| munakoiso | eggplant |
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| nauris | turnip |
| okra | ocher |
| palsternakka | parsnip |
| paprika | bell pepper |
| papu | bean |
| parsa | asparagus |
| parsakaali | broccoli |
| peruna | potato |
| pinaatti | spinach |
| porkkana | carrot |
| punajuuri | beetroot |
| punakaali | red cabbage |
| purjo | leek |
| raparperi | rhubarb |
| retiisi | radish |
| ruusukaali | brussels sprouts |
| selleri | celery |
| sikuri | chicory |
| tomaatti | tomato |
| valkosipuli | garlic |
Some simple sentences
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| Syön paljon vihanneksia. | I eat a lot of vegetables. |
| On tärkeää syödä paljon kasviksia. | It’s important to eat a lot of vegetables. |
| Syön paljon kaalia. | I eat a lot of cabbage. |
| Syön usein salaattia. | I often eat lettuce/salad. |
| Tänään syön kukkakaalia. | Todat I eat cauliflower. |
| Suomalaiset syövät paljon perunoita. | Finns eat a lot of potatoes. |
| Tykkään valkosipulista. | I like garlic. |
| En pidä kurkusta. | I don’t like cucumber. |
Sayings with vegetables
- “Tarvitaan keppi ja porkkana -lähestymistapaa.”
Literally: A stick and carrot approach is needed.
Meaning: We need both encouragements and punishments. - “Ongelma on palannut, ja se on eräänlainen kuuma peruna.”
Literally: The problem is back and it’s a kind of hot potato.
Meaning: It’s a controversial, sensitive topic. - “On se onni, että jollakin lanttu leikkaa.”
Literally: Luckily somebody’s rutabaga cuts.
Meaning: Luckily someone gets it. - “Hänen käytöksensä otti kaaliin alusta lähtien.”
Literally: His behavior took to the cabbage from the beginning.
Meaning: His behavior annoyed, vexed from the beginning. - “Turhaa vetää herneitä nenään asiasta.”
Literally: Pointless to pull peas into the nose about it.
Meaning: Pointless to get all worked up about it. - “Se on sillä sipuli.”
Literally: It’s onion by that.
Meaning: That’s solved then, that’s clear then. - “Maksetaan potut pottuina.”
Literally: Potatoes are paid for with potatoes.
Meaning: Pay back in the same way.
Kiitos