tyttöystävä
/ˈtytːøˌystæʋæ/
The Finnish word for girlfriend is tyttöystävä. Wiktionary also lists naisystävä and tyttökaveri.
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tyttöystävä | /ˈtytːøˌystæʋæ/ |
| naisystävä | /ˈnɑi̯sˌystæʋæ/ |
| tyttökaveri | /ˈtytːøˌkɑʋeri/ |
The primary way to refer to a female romantic partner is with tyttöystävä.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tyttöystävä is a compound made of tyttö, meaning girl and ystävä, meaning friend.
Which one should you use?
tyttöystävä is the standard and most common term used in a romantic context. In contrast, tyttökaveri is a more colloquial term. While it is often used as a synonym for girlfriend in casual speech, it can sometimes be used more loosely to mean a female friend.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Finland, the word pimu may be used to refer to a girlfriend.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtytːøˌystæʋæ/
Did you know?
- While tyttöystävä is common, some adults prefer naisystävä to avoid using tyttö, which literally means 'girl', as they find it infantalizing for a grown woman.
- Finnish distinguishes between ystävä, a deep and meaningful friend, and kaveri, a casual buddy or acquaintance.
- While English speakers use 'girlfriend' for both children and adults, the Finnish tyttöystävä is strictly used for romantic relationships and is not used for a young female friend.
Examples in context
- Se on mun tyttöystävä.She is my girlfriend.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your girlfriend using tyttöystävä.Tatoeba #5323699 by Orava, translation #312168 by CK
- Tässä on mun tyttöystävä.This is my girlfriend.This sentence is useful for introducing someone as your girlfriend using tyttöystävä.Tatoeba #5069417 by Orava, translation #2646501 by CK
- Mari on Tomin tyttöystävä.Mary is Tom's girlfriend.This sentence is useful for showing the relationship between two people using tyttöystävä.Tatoeba #3395860 by Silja, translation #1668970 by wallebot
- Suomalainen tyttöystäväni on erittäin älykäs.My Finnish girlfriend is very intelligent.
- Tapasin tyttöystäväni opiskellessani Helsingin yliopistossa.I met my girlfriend while studying at the University of Helsinki.
- Miten meni treffit kultani kanssa?How did the date with my sweetheart go?
- Kuinka söpö sinä olet, muru.You are so cute, sweetheart.
- Tänään menen elokuviin muruni kanssa.Today I'm going to the movies with my sweetie.
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matti and Anna are talking about Matti's personal life.
- MattiMinulla on uusi tyttöystävä.I have a new girlfriend.
- AnnaOnpa hienoa! Mikä hänen nimensä on?That's great! What is her name?
- MattiHänen nimensä on Laura.Her name is Laura.
- AnnaHaluaisin tavata tyttöystäväsi pian.I would like to meet your girlfriend soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries tyttöystävä, naisystävä, tyttökaveri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
