salaatti
/ˈsɑlɑːtːi/
The English word "salad" is salaatti in Finnish.
The word salaatti refers to the food item known as salad. You can create compound words for specific varieties by adding the ingredient before the word, such as perunasalaatti (potato salad), tonnikalasalaatti (tuna salad) or katkarapusalaatti (shrimp salad).
Meaning: food (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on how much or how many salads you are discussing. Use the partitive form salaattia when referring to an unspecified amount, such as when offering some or noting that some is available. Use the genitive form salaatin to show possession or to modify another noun, like salaatin kastike (the salad's dressing). For multiple types or portions of salads, use the plural nominative form salaatit.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɑlɑːtːi/
Did you know?
- In Finnish, salaatti describes both the mixed dish and the lettuce plant itself. This is unlike English, where 'salad' is the meal and 'lettuce' is the ingredient.
- Finnish culture features a unique tradition called rosolli, a colorful beet-based salad typically served during Christmas. It is so culturally significant that it is often viewed as a distinct category of salad.
- The Finnish word salaatti is a linguistic traveler that arrived from French via Swedish. It follows a common pattern where many European food terms entered Finnish through the Swedish language.
Examples in context
- Ota salaattia, jos maistuu.Help yourself to the salad.This sentence shows how to use the partitive form when offering food.Tatoeba #3901031 by Silja, translation #54001 by CK
- Otapa salaattia, jos maistuu.Please help yourself to the salad.This sentence uses the partitive form to make a polite offer.Tatoeba #3901066 by Silja, translation #54003 by CK
- Salaatti on todella suolaista.The salad is very salty.This sentence uses the nominative form to describe the salad's taste.Tatoeba #3318345 by Silja, translation #2889823 by AlanF_US
- Voisinko saada kasvisalaatin?May I have a vegetable salad?
- Tilaan ruokasalaatin, kiitos!I'll have a mixed salad, please!
- Haluatko kokeilla uutta salaattilajia?Would you like to try a new salad variety?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Matti are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- EmmaTehdäänkö tänään iso salaatti?Shall we make a big salad today?
- MattiKyllä, se sopii hyvin tähän päivään.Yes, that fits this day well.
- EmmaLaitan salaatti kulhoon heti.I will put the salad in a bowl right away.
- MattiKiitos, Emma!Thanks, Emma!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salad” translations and entries salaatti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries salaatti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
