Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| olut | /ˈolut/ |
| kalja | /ˈkɑljɑ/ |
| sahti | /ˈsɑhti/ |
| mallasjuoma | /ˈmɑlːɑsˌjuo̯mɑ/ |
The word refers to an alcoholic drink made of malt. To refer to a place where beer is made, such as a brewery, you use the term olutpanimo.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term mallasjuoma literally means 'malt drink'.
Which one should you use?
olut is the standard, neutral term used in most contexts. mallasjuoma serves as a technical or literal description. sahti refers specifically to a traditional type of Finnish farmhouse ale, which is often distinguished from modern beer.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are talking about drinking beer in an unspecified amount, you use the partitive form olutta.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈolut/
When do people say it?
When making a toast, the Finnish equivalent for 'Cheers!' is Kippis! Additionally, sahti is a significant traditional Finnish farmhouse ale that holds its own place in the culture separate from modern beer.
Did you know?
- The word sahti is actually a loanword from the Swedish word saft, which in modern Swedish refers to a fruit cordial or syrup.
- Unlike most commercial beers, traditional sahti is brewed using juniper branches to help the fermentation process and provide a distinct flavor.
- In Finnish culture, sahti was historically brewed at home and served as a symbol of hospitality and wealth for farm owners.
Examples in context
- Missä on mun olut?Where is my beer?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of your olut.Tatoeba #4143983 by Orava, translation #3826298 by CK
- Tämä olut on paras.This beer is the best.This sentence is useful for expressing that a specific olut is the best.Tatoeba #9866285 by Johannes_S, translation #8989190 by CK
- Hän on juonut olutta.He's been drinking beer.This sentence is useful for describing the action of drinking olut in an unspecified amount.Tatoeba #3277207 by Silja, translation #3086011 by CH
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matti and Laura are at a restaurant.
- MattiHaluatko tilata oluen?Do you want to order a beer?
- LauraKyllä, otan yhden oluen.Yes, I'll have one beer.
- MattiTilaan meille kaksi olutta.I'll order two beers for us.
- LauraKiitos, Matti.Thank you, Matti.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beer” translations and entries olut, kalja, sahti, mallasjuoma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kalja, mallasjuoma, olut, sahti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
