kulta
/ˈkultɑ/
The Finnish word for darling is kulta. Wiktionary also lists kultanen and rakas.
Meaning: often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| kulta | /ˈkultɑ/ |
| kultanen | /ˈkultɑnen/ |
| rakas | /ˈrɑkɑs/ |
These terms are used as affectionate ways to address someone who is very dear to you, such as a partner or a child.
What does it mean word for word?
The word kulta literally means 'gold'.
Which one should you use?
While kulta is a common, casual term of endearment similar to 'honey' or 'sweetie', rakas is more serious and carries a deeper emotional weight, often used for long-term partners or in more poetic contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to say 'my darling' using the word kulta, you can add the possessive suffix '-ni' to form kultani.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkultɑ/
Did you know?
- The term rakas may have an unexpected history, potentially originating from an ancient word meaning 'greedy' or 'lustful'.
- Because rakas is so emotionally heavy, it is frequently used in the Finnish language to address the deceased in elegies or on gravestones.
- While kulta means 'gold' and is used for darlings, the Finnish word for the color yellow is keltainen. These two words are distant relatives derived from the same ancient root.
Examples in context
- Älä puhu kuin äitisi, rakas!Don't talk to your mother like that, darling.This sentence shows how to use rakas when addressing someone affectionately.Tatoeba #6974753 by Silja, translation #12081392 by mollydot
- Hei kulta, mitä kuuluu?Hi darling, how are you?
- Kuuntele minua, kulta.Listen to me, darling.
Example conversation
A couple greeting each other at home.
- AnttiTerve, kulta!Hello, darling!
- EmmaHei, rakas.Hi, dear.
- AnttiOletko väsynyt, kulta?Are you tired, darling?
- EmmaOlen hieman.I am a little.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darling” translations and entries kulta, kultanen, rakas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kulta, kultanen, rakas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
