papukaija
/ˈpɑpuˌkɑi̯jɑ/
The Finnish word for parrot is papukaija.
papukaija refers to the kind of bird known as a parrot.
Meaning: kind of bird (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural nominative form is papukaijat. Use the genitive form papukaijan to say "of the parrot", the allative form papukaijalle to say "to the parrot" and the partitive form papukaijaa for the partitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɑpuˌkɑi̯jɑ/
Did you know?
- Finnish uses the phrase papukaijopuhe to describe 'parrot talk' or the act of repeating something without understanding its meaning.
- The word papukaija is a linguistic traveler, sharing a common ancestor with the Dutch word 'papegaai' and the Russian 'popugáj'.
- In some Finnish idioms, the colorful nature of a papukaija can be used to describe something that is gaudy or overly bright.
Examples in context
- Tomilla on papukaija, joka puhuu ranskaa.Tom has a parrot that speaks French.This example shows the use of papukaija to describe a bird that speaks French.Tatoeba #7884443 by Orava, translation #6254243 by CK
- Chiqui on papukaija, joka puhuu esperantoa.Chiqui is a parrot that speaks Esperanto.This example uses papukaija to identify a bird that speaks Esperanto.Tatoeba #3586041 by Sanaseppo, translation #3584861 by Hybrid
- Papukaija mitä luultavammin karkasi häkistä.Presumably, the parrot escaped from the cage.This example uses papukaija to refer to a bird that escaped from a cage.Tatoeba #4401456 by Sanaseppo, translation #4400840 by Lepotdeterre
- Kakadut ovat niin söpöjä, niiden höyhenet ovat pehmeät.Cockatoos are so adorable, their feathers are soft.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Antti are at a pet shop.
- SofiaOnko tuo papukaija kallis?Is that parrot expensive?
- AnttiSe on melko kallis lintu.It is a rather expensive bird.
- SofiaHaluaisitko sinä sellaisen papukaijan?Would you like a parrot like that?
- AnttiEn usko, että minulla on siihen varaa.I don't think I can afford it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parrot” translations and entries papukaija, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries papukaija, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
