sateenkaari
/ˈsɑteːnˌkɑːri/
The English word 'rainbow' is translated into Finnish as sateenkaari.
Sateenkaari refers to the multicolored arch seen in the sky. If you want to describe something as being multicolored, you can use the adjective monivärinen.
Meaning: multicoloured arch in the sky (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word sateenkaari is a compound of sade, meaning 'rain' and kaari, meaning 'arch' or 'arc'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or to say 'of the rainbow', use the genitive form sateenkaaren.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɑteːnˌkɑːri/
Did you know?
- The word sateenkaari was not a natural evolution of the language but was coined by a single person, Gustaf Renvall, in 1826.
- In Finnish folklore, the sateenkaari was often seen as a bridge or a path that could be physically crossed by supernatural beings.
- While English uses 'bow' to describe both a weapon and a rainbow, Finnish uses kaari for the rainbow and jousi for the archery bow.
Examples in context
- Sateen päätyttyä taivaalle ilmestyi kaunis sateenkaari.As soon as it stopped raining a beautiful rainbow appeared.This sentence shows how to describe a beautiful sateenkaari appearing after the rain.Tatoeba #5377563 by Orava, translation #388845 by CK
- Sateenkaari on luonnonilmiö.A rainbow is a natural phenomenon.This sentence is useful for stating that a sateenkaari is a natural phenomenon.Tatoeba #9699212 by Johannes_S, translation #281038 by CM
- On ihana katsoa, kun sateenkaari kaartuu taivaalle.It's lovely to see the rainbow arching across the sky.
- Katso, tuolla on suuri sateenkaari!Look, there is a large rainbow over there!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Mikko are walking outside after a summer rain.
- EmmaMikko, katso taivaalle!Mikko, look at the sky!
- MikkoOnpa upea sateenkaari.What a wonderful rainbow.
- EmmaSe on todella kirkas.It is really bright.
- MikkoOtetaan siitä kuva.Let's take a photo of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rainbow” translations and entries sateenkaari, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sateenkaari, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
