lohikäärme
/ˈlohiˌkæːrmeˣ/
The Finnish word for dragon is lohikäärme.
lohikäärme is used to refer to a mythical creature.
Meaning: mythical creature (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use the genitive form lohikäärmeen to show possession (the dragon's) or when the dragon is the object of certain verbs, such as 'to kill'. Use the partitive form lohikäärmettä when referring to an unspecified amount or when the dragon is the object of an incomplete action. To indicate movement towards the dragon or the act of giving something to the dragon, use the allative form lohikäärmeelle.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlohiˌkæːrmeˣ/
Did you know?
- The 'salmon' part of lohikäärme is actually a result of folk etymology, as the original word was louhikäärme.
- The word käärme is used in the Finnish Bible to refer to the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
- Unlike English, where 'dragon' is a single root, the Finnish term is built by combining two distinct animals.
Examples in context
- Hän tuli lohikäärmeen syömäksi.He was eaten by a dragon.This sentence shows the use of lohikäärme in a passive construction.Tatoeba #8306522 by Thanuir, translation #6106376 by mailohilohi
- Se prinssi surmasi lohikäärmeen.The prince slew the dragon.This sentence demonstrates using lohikäärme as the object of a verb.Tatoeba #8306531 by Thanuir, translation #2449385 by Hybrid
- He tulivat lohikäärmeen syömäksi.They were eaten by a dragon.This sentence uses lohikäärme in a plural subject context.Tatoeba #8306520 by Thanuir, translation #6106378 by mailohilohi
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Mikko are browsing a fantasy book in a library.
- AnnaOnko tässä kirjassa lohikäärme?Is there a dragon in this book?
- MikkoKyllä, se on todella iso lohikäärme.Yes, it is a very big dragon.
- AnnaMinä rakastan lohikäärmeitä.I love dragons.
- MikkoMinäkin pidän niistä.I like them too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon” translations and entries lohikäärme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lohikäärme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
