parsakaali
/ˈpɑrsɑˌkɑːli/
The English phrase broccoli is parsakaali in Finnish. Wiktionary also lists brokkoli.
Meaning: plant Brassica oleracea var. italica (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| parsakaali | /ˈpɑrsɑˌkɑːli/ |
| brokkoli | /ˈbrokːoli/ |
Both parsakaali and brokkoli are used to refer to the plant Brassica oleracea var. Italica.
What does it mean word for word?
In the word parsakaali, the component kaali means cabbage.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean broccoli, parsakaali is the more common and standard Finnish term used in everyday language and grocery stores. Brokkoli is a direct loanword from other European languages. It is understood but is less frequent than parsakaali.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a dislike or a continuous quantity of broccoli, the word takes the partitive form parsakaalia, as seen in the phrase 'Minä vihaan parsakaalia' (I hate broccoli).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɑrsɑˌkɑːli/
Did you know?
- The word parsakaali literally translates to 'asparagus cabbage'.
- Even though they are different vegetables, both 'cauliflower' and 'broccoli' share the same root word kaali in Finnish.
- While brokkoli is perfectly understood, using it might make you sound more like a chef or a cookbook than a person at a local market.
Examples in context
- Ei! Minä vihaan parsakaalia!No! I hate broccoli!This sentence shows how to express a strong dislike using the partitive form.Tatoeba #3648397 by Silja, translation #2682179 by Hybrid
- Kukkakaali ja parsakaali ovat samankaltaisia.Cauliflower and broccoli are similar.This sentence compares broccoli and cauliflower.Tatoeba #10631797 by Johannes_S, translation #10130283 by tatoebashrek
- "Minä olen parsakaali, ja minä näytän puulta!" "Minä olen saksanpähkinä, ja minä näytän aivoilta!" "Minä olen sieni, ja minä vihaan tätä peliä!""I am broccoli and I look like a tree!" "I am a walnut and I look like a brain!" "I am a mushroom and I hate this game!"This sentence uses parsakaali in a playful context comparing food to their appearance.Tatoeba #4931300 by Orava, translation #4082828 by muriloricci
- Tykkäätkö parsakaalista?Do you like broccoli?
- Voisitko laittaa parsakaalia keittoon?Could you put broccoli in the soup?
- Haluan ostaa tuoretta parsakaalia.I want to buy fresh broccoli.
Example conversation
Juho and Anna are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- JuhoHaluatko syödä parsakaalia tänään?Do you want to eat broccoli today?
- AnnaKyllä, se on terveellistä.Yes, it is healthy.
- JuhoPaistanko parsakaalin pannulla?Should I fry the broccoli in a pan?
- AnnaSe olisi oikein hyvää, Juho.That would be very good, Juho.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broccoli” translations and entries parsakaali, brokkoli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brokkoli, parsakaali, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
