sama
/ˈsɑmɑ/
The English word 'same' is translated into Finnish as sama.
Sama is the most general and common word for 'same' in Finnish, meaning identical or not different as regards self. You can use the phrase tismalleen sama to mean 'exactly the same' to emphasize precise similarities, or tismalleen sama juttu to mean 'exactly the same thing'.
Meaning: not different as regards self, identical (adj)
Which one should you use?
While sama means 'identical' or 'the same', it is distinct from samankaltainen, which means 'similar'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The base form sama is used when the word is the subject or a predicate of the sentence. The partitive form samaa is used if the 'same thing' is the object of a negated sentence or an ongoing action. The genitive form saman is used to indicate possession or to modify a noun, such as in samanlaiset asiat (the same kinds of things).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɑmɑ/
Did you know?
- The Finnish word sama is actually a very old loanword from Proto-Germanic, making it a linguistic relative of the English word 'same'.
- In Finnish, if you want to say 'me too' in a casual conversation, you can simply say sama, which literally means 'same'.
- In some Finnish dialects, sama can be used to express indifference, similar to saying 'it is all the same to me'.
Examples in context
- Ei se ole sama asia.It's not the same thing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to negate the use of sama.Tatoeba #3205703 by Silja, translation #819893 by CM
- Se ei ole sama asia.It's not the same.Tatoeba #3205704 by Silja, translation #2006476 by Spamster
- Se on sama joka vuosi.It's the same every year.This sentence is useful for showing how to use sama to describe a recurring situation.Tatoeba #10531575 by Johannes_S, translation #6029150 by Huskion
- Hän valitsi saman puvun kuin minä.He chose the same outfit as me.
- He ovat yhtäläisiä oikeuksiltaan.They have equal rights.
- Tismalleen sama juttu kävi mulle viime viikolla.Exactly the same thing happened to me last week.
- 210 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Mikko and Emma are ordering drinks.
- MikkoMitä sinä otat?What are you having?
- EmmaMinä otan teen.I'll have tea.
- MikkoMinä otan saman.I'll have the same.
- EmmaHyvä valinta.Good choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “same” translations and entries sama, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
