Learning how to talk about time is essential for everyday communication. In this lesson, you’ll learn key time expressions in Finnish and how to tell the time with practical examples. Whether you’re asking for the time or planning your day, this vocabulary will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
All phrases are accompanied by audio and are free to use in your Finnish studies online.
These basic expressions are used frequently in everyday conversation. They help you refer to parts of the day, routines, and time-related questions.
Common Time Expressions in Finnish
What time is it?
Mitä kello on?
It's one o'clock
Kello on yksi
Morning
Aamu
Afternoon
Iltapäivä
Evening
Ilta
Night
Yö
Now
Nyt
Later
Myöhemmin
Soon
Pian
Always
Aina
Sometimes
Joskus
Never
Ei koskaan
Practice these words
Mitä kello on?
Below are common phrases used to express time of day. Note that in Finnish, the structure is usually “Kello on…” (literally: “The clock is…”).
Telling the Time in Finnish
It's half past two
Kello on puoli kolme
It's quarter past ten
Kello on vartin yli kymmenen
It's quarter to five
Kello on varttia vaille viisi
It's exactly noon
Kello on tasan kaksitoista
At what time?
Mihin aikaan?
At six o'clock
Kello kuusi
I’m sorry, I’m late
Anteeksi, olen myöhässä
On time
Ajoissa
Do you have time?
Onko sinulla aikaa?
Practice these words
Kello on puoli kolme
Understanding how to express time in Finnish will help you in countless everyday situations. From asking for the time to talking about daily routines, these phrases are essential for clear and natural communication.
If you’re learning Finnish online, don’t forget to explore related vocabulary topics such as Numbers in Finnish and Days of the Week in Finnish to reinforce your skills.