rikkaruoho
/ˈrikːɑˌruo̯ho/
The English phrase 'weed' (unwanted plant) is translated into Finnish as rikkaruoho. Wiktionary also lists rikkakasvi.
Meaning: unwanted plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| rikkaruoho | /ˈrikːɑˌruo̯ho/ |
| rikkakasvi | /ˈrikːɑˌkɑsʋi/ |
The term refers to an unwanted plant or weed. To express the action of weeding a garden or pulling up weeds, use the verb kitkeä.
What does it mean word for word?
rikkaruoho is a compound word consisting of rikki, meaning broken or ruined and ruoho, meaning grass or herb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are performing the action of weeding, specifically when removing an unspecified amount of weeds, you will typically use the partitive plural form rikkaruohoja alongside the verb kitkeä.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrikːɑˌruo̯ho/
Did you know?
- The verb kitkeä can be used metaphorically to describe removing unwanted people or elements from a social group or organization.
- The term rikka in the word rikkaruoho historically referred to a 'mote' or a tiny piece of debris, rather than the modern sense of 'broken'.
- Finnish differentiates between rikkaruoho and rikkakasvi, though people use them interchangeably in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Minttu kasvaa kuin rikkaruoho.Mint grows like a weed.This sentence shows how to use rikkaruoho in a comparison.Tatoeba #13796501 by Johannes_S, translation #7876047 by CK
- Toivon, että Tomi auttaisi minua kitkemään rikkaruohoja pihalla.I wish Tom would help me weed the garden.This sentence demonstrates the use of the verb with the partitive plural form rikkaruohoja.Tatoeba #5206273 by Orava, translation #1027468 by CK
- Viikonloppuna kaverit polttivat ruohoa.Over the weekend, the friends smoked weed.
- Tämä rikkaruoho kasvaa todella nopeasti.This weed grows really fast.
Example conversation
Juho and Emma are working in their garden.
- JuhoMinun pitää kitkeä tämä rikkaruoho.I need to pull this weed.
- EmmaVoinko auttaa sinua, Juho?Can I help you, Juho?
- JuhoKiitos, mutta tämä on vain yksi rikkaruoho.Thanks, but it's just one weed.
- EmmaOlet silti hyvin ahkera.You are very hardworking nonetheless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weed” translations and entries rikkaruoho, rikkakasvi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rikkakasvi, rikkaruoho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
