kani
/ˈkɑni/
The English word 'rabbit' is translated into Finnish as kani. Wiktionary also lists kaniini.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| kani | /ˈkɑni/ |
| kaniini | /ˈkɑniːni/ |
The terms refer to the mammal known as a rabbit.
Which one should you use?
kaniini is the more formal or biologically accurate term, whereas kani is more common in everyday speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the partitive case to express an indefinite amount, both kaniini and kani change to kania.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɑni/
Did you know?
- The formal term kaniini traces its roots back to the Latin word cunīculus, which originally meant a 'burrow' or 'underground conduit'.
- Finnish has a distinct word pupu for rabbits that functions similarly to 'bunny' in English, used primarily with children.
- While kani is the common word for a rabbit, the Finnish word for a hare is jänis, a completely different term that learners often confuse.
Examples in context
- Minulla on kaniini lemmikkinä.I keep a rabbit as a pet.This sentence shows how to use kaniini when talking about a pet.Tatoeba #3414687 by Silja, translation #1346306 by Spamster
- ”Mikä hätänä?” kysyi pieni valkoinen kani."What's the matter?" asked the little white rabbit.This sentence uses kani to describe a small white rabbit.Tatoeba #1018704 by Silja, translation #1507 by imjcooper
- En voi saada lasta, joten ostin sen sijaan kaniinin.I can't have a child so I bought a rabbit instead.This sentence demonstrates the use of kaniini in a sentence about buying an animal.Tatoeba #3414688 by Silja, translation #1346307 by Spamster
- Etsin kirjasta kuvaa kanista.I'm looking for a picture of a rabbit in the book.
- Näin suuren jäniksen metsässä.I saw a big rabbit in the forest.
- Älä säikäytä jänistä, se pelkää.Don't scare the rabbit, it's afraid.
- Jänikset ovat yleisiä Suomen luonnossa.Rabbits are common in Finnish nature.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Laura are looking at a photo in a book.
- JuhoKatso, tuolla on pieni kani.Look, there is a small rabbit.
- LauraSe on todella söpö kani.That is a really cute rabbit.
- JuhoHaluaisitko sinä hankkia kanin?Would you like to get a rabbit?
- LauraEn usko, se vaatii paljon työtä.I don't think so, it requires a lot of work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rabbit” translations and entries kani, kaniini, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kani, kaniini, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
