suudelma
/ˈsuːdelmɑ/
The English word kiss translates to Finnish as suudelma. Wiktionary also lists suukko and pusu.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| suudelma | /ˈsuːdelmɑ/ |
| suukko | /ˈsuːkːo/ |
| pusu | /ˈpusu/ |
A kiss is a touch with the lips. You can use the verb suudella to describe the act of kissing, or hipaista if you mean to touch something lightly.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun suudelma is derived from the verb suudella, which means to kiss.
Which one should you use?
suudelma is the standard, neutral or more romantic term for a kiss. In contrast, pusu is a colloquial term that is often used in a cute or childish way, similar to 'smooch' or 'peck'. The form suukko is also a way to express a kiss.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the partitive case, suudelma becomes suudelmaa and pusu becomes pusua.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsuːdelmɑ/
Did you know?
- The standard noun suudelma was actually coined by the famous philologist Elias Lönnrot, the same man who compiled the Finnish national epic, the 'Kalevala'.
- The colloquial word pusu is often used as a sign-off in texts or letters, functioning similarly to 'xoxo' in English.
Examples in context
- Se oli vaan yks pusu.It was just one kiss.This sentence shows the use of the colloquial form pusu.Tatoeba #7921727 by Orava, translation #4579217 by Hybrid
- Se oli vain suudelma.It was only a kiss.This sentence shows the use of the standard form suudelma.Tatoeba #7977305 by Orava, translation #7867258 by Hybrid
- Tomi väisti Marin suudelman.Tom dodged Mary's kiss.Tatoeba #8362511 by Orava, translation #8268122 by Hybrid
- Haluaisin antaa sinulle suukonI would like to give you a kiss
- Hyvää yötä, otetaan vielä yksi suukkoGoodnight, let's have one more kiss
- Hän antoi minulle suudelman poskelleHe/She gave me a kiss on the cheek
- Suudelma huulillaKiss on the lips
- Rakastan sinua ja kaipaan sinun suudelmiasiI love you and miss your kisses
- Antakaa toisillenne suukkojaGive each other kisses
- Pusuttele vauvaa poskelleGive the baby kisses on the cheek
- Tulen heti luoksesi antamaan suukkojaI'll come right over to give you kisses
- Onko sinulla suukkoja minulle?Do you have any kisses for me?
- Lasten kanssa aina suukkojen antaminen kuuluu asiaanGiving kisses to children is always a part of it
- Tervehdimme aina poskisuudelmallaWe always greet each other with a cheek kiss
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Sofia are saying goodbye at the door.
- JuhoHaluaisin antaa sinulle vielä yhden suudelman.I would like to give you one more kiss.
- SofiaSe on todella söpöä, Juho.That is really cute, Juho.
- JuhoTämä suudelma on hyvää yötä -tervehdys.This kiss is a goodnight greeting.
- SofiaKiitos, hyvää yötä sinullekin.Thank you, goodnight to you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kiss” translations and entries suudelma, suukko, pusu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pusu, suudelma, suukko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
