vuori
/ˈʋuo̯ri/
The English word "mountain" is translated into Finnish as vuori.
The word vuori refers to a large mass of earth and rock. For specific geographical features, Finnish uses more precise terms: tunturi is used for an Arctic hill or a fell, while kukkula is used for a smaller hill.
Meaning: large mass of earth and rock (noun)
Which one should you use?
While vuori describes a large mountain, kukkula is the term used for a smaller hill. If you are specifically referring to a fell or an Arctic hill, you should use tunturi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun vuori changes based on its role in a sentence. To indicate possession or to say "of the mountain", use the genitive form vuoren. To express movement onto the surface of a mountain, use the allative form vuorelle. When referring to an unspecified number or a portion of mountains, use the partitive plural form vuoria.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʋuo̯ri/
Did you know?
- The word vuori shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the Udmurt word выр, both tracing back to the same Proto-Uralic root.
- The word vuori can also be used as a metaphor for an immense or imposing task or person, even if no physical rock is present.
- The word vuori can appear in compound words to describe things that are 'mountain-like' in size or strength, even if they are not made of rock.
Examples in context
- Kuinka korkea tuo vuori on?How high is that mountain?This sentence is useful for asking about the height of a specific mountain using vuori.Tatoeba #3635378 by Silja, translation #68363 by CK
- Kuinka korkea tämä vuori on?How high is this mountain?Tatoeba #3217480 by Silja, translation #3217372 by CK
- Fuji on Japanin korkein vuori.Mt. Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain.This sentence is useful for identifying the tallest mountain in a country using vuori.Tatoeba #12496959 by ondo, translation #388011 by Mouseneb
- The breathtaking tunturit (fells) of Kilpisjärvi are well worth a visit!The breathtaking fells of Kilpisjärvi are well worth a visit!
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Juho are looking at a landscape painting.
- EmmaTuolla on suuri vuori.There is a large mountain over there.
- JuhoOnko se kaukana?Is it far away?
- EmmaKyllä, se on kaukana.Yes, it is far.
- JuhoSe näyttää kauniilta.It looks beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mountain” translations and entries vuori, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vuori, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
