koira
/ˈkoi̯rɑ/
The English word 'dog' is koira in Finnish.
The word koira is the most common and neutral way to refer to a dog. For a more biological or scientific context, you can use Koiraeläin, which means 'canine'. If you are talking specifically about a dog-wolf hybrid, the term is Koirasusi. In Finnish, you might also encounter onomatopoeic words to describe dog sounds, such as Hau for a bark or Röh for a deep growl.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While koira is the standard term, Hauveli is used as an affectionate nickname for dogs.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession (the dog's), use the genitive form koiran. The partitive form koiraa is used when the dog is the object of an ongoing action or when referring to an unspecified amount of dog in a biological sense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkoi̯rɑ/
Did you know?
- The word koira is etymologically linked to the concept of 'maleness'. It likely descended from an ancient Proto-Uralic root meaning 'male' or 'man', suggesting the word may have originally been used specifically to denote a male dog.
Examples in context
- Tuo ei ole koira.That isn't a dog.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form with koira.Tatoeba #3112681 by Kalle63, translation #2741765 by Coella
- Tuo on iso koira.That is a big dog.This sentence helps you practice using an adjective with koira.Tatoeba #7837752 by Thanuir, translation #7327810 by MarijnKp
- Se koira on minun.The dog is mine.This sentence shows how to use koira to indicate possession or identification.Tatoeba #8282515 by Thanuir, translation #493294 by CM
- Rakastan koiriani yli kaiken.I love my dogs more than anything.
- Tuo hauveli on todella suloinen!That doggy is really adorable!
- 436 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Sofia are walking in a park.
- JuhoKatso, tuo koira on niin söpö!Look, that dog is so cute!
- SofiaOn se, mutta onko se ystävällinen?It is, but is it friendly?
- JuhoOmistaja sanoi, että koira on kiltti.The owner said that the dog is well-behaved.
- SofiaHaluaisin silitän sitä.I would like to pet it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries koira, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koira, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
