sisu
/ˈsisu/
sisu is the Finnish phrase for sisu.
sisu refers to a specific type of stoic determination, grit or resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive form sisun is used to express possession or to indicate 'of sisu', such as in the phrase sisun voima (the power of sisu). The partitive form sisua is used when describing having 'some' sisu or when sisu is the object of certain verbs, such as tarvita sisuun (to need sisu).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsisu/
Did you know?
- While sisu is overwhelmingly positive, it can occasionally have a negative connotation. It may describe a stubbornness so extreme that a person continues a failing course of action long after it is rational to do so.
- The concept of sisu was famously highlighted during the Winter War of 1939 to 1940. It became a national symbol of the Finnish spirit's ability to resist a much larger invading force.
- The word sisu originally described the physical interior of a person, such as the organs or the 'insides'.
Examples in context
- Tarvitset sisua tässä tilanteessa.You need sisu in this situation.
- Hänellä on uskomaton sisu.He has incredible sisu.
- Sisu auttaa selviytymään vaikeista ajoista.Sisu helps one get through hard times.
Example conversation
Mikko and Emma are training for a marathon.
- MikkoOlen jo ihan väsynyt.I am already exhausted.
- EmmaNyt tarvitaan sisuä, Mikko!Now we need grit, Mikko!
- MikkoOlet oikeassa, jaksan vielä vähän.You are right, I can manage a bit more.
- EmmaHyvä, jatketaan vain eteenpäin.Good, let's just keep going forward.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sisu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sisu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
