Kuu
/ˈkuː/
The Finnish word for moon is Kuu.
Kuu refers to the natural satellite of planet Earth. It can be used as a general noun or as the specific name for Earth's sole natural satellite.
Meaning: the natural satellite of planet Earth (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Kuu is the standard noun, you may encounter specialized terms for specific lunar phenomena, such as Täysikuu (full moon), Puolikuu (half-moon) and Kuunsirppi (crescent moon). Additionally, Kuunpimennys refers specifically to a lunar eclipse and Kuunvalossa describes being in the moonlight.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Kuu changes form depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive form, meaning 'of the moon', is kuun. To say 'in the moon', use the inessive form kuussa. The partitive form is kuuta.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkuː/
When do people say it?
In Finnish folklore, the moon is associated with Kuu-ukko, an anthropomorphic spirit that represents the moon's personality.
Did you know?
- In Finnish, the word kuu means both 'moon' and 'month'. This reflects a historical way of measuring time based on lunar cycles.
- The Finnish term for a crescent moon is kuunsirppi, which literally means 'moon-sickle'.
- While it looks different, the Hungarian word for moon hold is a distant relative of the Finnish Kuu through their shared Proto-Uralic origin.
Examples in context
- Kuu on jo noussut.The moon is already out.This sentence is useful for describing the moon having risen.Tatoeba #3336581 by Silja, translation #387413 by CK
- Näin kuun katon yllä.I saw the moon above the roof.This sentence is useful for describing seeing the moon above a roof.Tatoeba #836456 by Hautis, translation #25580 by CK
- Kuussa ei ole happea.There's no oxygen on the moon.This sentence is useful for stating there is no oxygen on the moon.Tatoeba #3261824 by Silja, translation #3126805 by Hybrid
- Kuu loistaa yön pimeydessä.The moon shines in the darkness of the night.
- Sinä olet kuin kuu, kaunis ja loistava.You are like the moon, beautiful and radiant.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Juho are looking out of a window at night.
- SofiaKatso, Kuu on todella kirkas tänään.Look, the moon is really bright today.
- JuhoSe on, se näyttää upealta.It is, it looks wonderful.
- SofiaOnko Kuu tuon pilven takana?Is the moon behind that cloud?
- JuhoEi, se on aivan siellä.No, it is right there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moon” translations and entries Kuu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kuu, kuu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
