Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. The partitive form joulua is used when expressing that someone is not celebrating or is doing something with the holiday, such as in the phrase Tomi ei vietä joulua. The genitive form joulun is used to indicate possession or to help form compound words, such as joululoma (Christmas holiday).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈjou̯lu/
When do people say it?
To wish someone a "Merry Christmas!", the standard phrase is Hyvää joulua! You can also use the informal Mukavaa joulua! to say "Have a nice Christmas!" Other related holiday expressions include Hauskaa joululomaa (Enjoy your Christmas vacation), Joulupukki (Santa Claus) and Joulusauna (Christmas sauna). As the holiday season transitions, people also say Hyvää uutta vuotta to mean "Happy New Year".
Did you know?
- While many cultures have a figure like Santa, the Finnish Joulupukki literally translates to 'Christmas Goat'.
- The Finnish word joulu was originally borrowed from an ancient North Germanic word for the winter solstice.
- The Finnish language has a dedicated word for the specific 'Christmas peace' period, known as joulurauha, which historically carried legal weight.
Examples in context
- Joulu on pian läsnä.Christmas will soon come around.This sentence uses joulu to indicate that Christmas is approaching.Tatoeba #3106810 by Kalle63, translation #31625 by AlanF_US
- Tänään ei ole joulu.Today's not Christmas!This sentence uses joulu to state that today is not Christmas.Tatoeba #9531812 by Johannes_S, translation #2945013 by mervert1
- Tomi ei vietä joulua.Tom doesn't celebrate Christmas.This sentence uses the partitive form joulua to show that someone is not celebrating Christmas.Tatoeba #8352954 by Orava, translation #8013337 by CK
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their upcoming holiday plans in a cafe.
- MikkoMilloin teillä on joulu?When is your Christmas?
- EmmaMeillä on joulu ensi viikolla.Our Christmas is next week.
- MikkoOletko valmis juhlimaan?Are you ready to celebrate?
- EmmaEn vielä, mutta olen innoissani.Not yet, but I am excited.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas” translations and entries joulu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries joulu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
