ja
/ˈjɑ/
The Finnish word for 'and' is ja. Wiktionary also lists sekä and ynnä.
Meaning: used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ja | /ˈjɑ/ | |
| sekä | /ˈsekæ/ | |
| ynnä | /ˈynːæ/ | dated |
The word is used as a conjunction to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera.
Which one should you use?
ja is the most common, neutral way to say 'and' in everyday Finnish. sekä is often used in the correlative construction sekä… kuin myös to mean 'both… and' or 'as well as'. ynnä is an archaic or poetic form of 'and' and is not used in modern spoken Finnish.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Kuin myös to mean 'both… and' or 'as well as'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈjɑ/
Did you know?
- The Finnish word ja was actually borrowed from an ancient Germanic language and is not a native Uralic word.
- The phrase sekä… että is a common way to say 'both… and', but the second part että literally means 'that'.
- In spoken Finnish, ja is frequently shortened or blended into the previous word, sometimes sounding more like a quick 'i' or 'j' sound.
Examples in context
- Lue se ja itke.Read it and weep.This sentence shows how to use ja to connect two actions.Tatoeba #11569823 by Thanuir, translation #3726119 by CM
- On sauna ja allas.There's a sauna and a pool.This sentence shows how to use ja to connect two nouns.Tatoeba #5722012 by mztae, translation #2300609 by Hybrid
- Ota hunaja ja voi!Take the honey and butter!Tatoeba #7768323 by Thanuir, translation #7101290 by Eccles17
- Haluaisin tilata kahvin ja leivoksen.I would like to order coffee and a pastry.
- Kiitos avustasi ja ymmärryksestäsi.Thank you for your assistance and understanding.
- Mennään elokuviin ja syömään jälkeenpäin.Let's go to the movies and grab something to eat afterwards.
- Otan täytekakkua ja jäätelöä jälkiruoaksi.I'll have some cake and ice cream for dessert.
- 3520 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Laura are discussing their grocery list.
- JuhoTarvitsemme maitoa ja leipää.We need milk and bread.
- LauraOstananko myös omenia ja päärynöitä?Should I also buy apples and pears?
- JuhoKyllä, osta omena ja päärynä.Yes, buy an apple and a pear.
- LauraSelvä, minä menen kauppaan.Alright, I am going to the store.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “and” translations and entries ja, sekä, ynnä, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ja, sekä, ynnä, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
