sauna
/ˈsɑu̯nɑ/
The Finnish word for sauna is sauna.
The word sauna refers to a sauna room or a sauna house.
Meaning: sauna room or house (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word in different contexts, the endings change. Use the inessive case form saunassa to indicate being inside the sauna. To indicate movement into the sauna, use the illative case form saunaan. Additionally, Finnish speakers typically use the verb käydä (to visit/go) with the inessive form saunassa to express the habit of going to the sauna, as seen in the phrase saunassa käydä.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɑu̯nɑ/
Did you know?
- In Finnish tradition, the sauna was historically used as a place for women to give birth because of its cleanliness and warmth.
- The Finnish word sauna refers to the entire building or room, but the actual act of throwing water on stones to create steam is called löyly.
- The word sauna may be a distant relative of the English word 'stack', as both likely descend from a Proto-Germanic root referring to a pile or a structure built up.
Examples in context
- On sauna ja allas.There's a sauna and a pool.This sentence shows how to mention a sauna and a pool.Tatoeba #5722012 by mztae, translation #2300609 by Hybrid
- Tomi ei ole saunassa.Tom isn't in the sauna.This sentence uses the inessive form sauna to show someone is not inside the sauna.Tatoeba #9965143 by Johannes_S, translation #8999635 by CK
- Hän tykkää käydä saunassa.She likes to go to the sauna.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of the inessive form sauna with the verb to express the habit of going to the sauna.Tatoeba #5722013 by mztae, translation #2793979 by Hybrid
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Mikko are at a summer cottage.
- EmmaOnko sauna jo lämmin?Is the sauna warm already?
- MikkoKyllä, sauna on valmis.Yes, the sauna is ready.
- EmmaHienoa, mennäänkö sinne?Great, shall we go there?
- MikkoLähdetään vain!Let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sauna” translations and entries sauna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sauna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
