talvi
/ˈtɑlʋi/
The Finnish word for winter is talvi.
talvi is a noun referring to the fourth season, which is characterized by short days and the lowest temperatures of the year.
Meaning: fourth season, marked by short days and the lowest temperatures (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Eastern Finnish dialects, the word Talavi may be used instead of talvi.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its form depending on how it is used in a sentence: use the genitive form talven to indicate possession or 'of winter', the adessive case talvella to express the time period 'in winter' or 'during winter', the illative case talveen to express movement into the winter season and the plural inessive form talvissa to refer to multiple winters or 'in the winters'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɑlʋi/
Did you know?
- In Finnish culture, talvi is the primary season for avantouinti, the practice of swimming in a hole carved through thick ice.
- Because of the extreme darkness, the word talvi is often associated with 'kaamos', a period of polar night where the sun does not rise at all.
- The word talvi is used in the compound talvisota to describe the 'Winter War' of 1939 to 1940, a defining event in Finnish national identity.
Examples in context
- Talvi on vihdoin tulossa.Winter is finally coming.This sentence is useful for saying that winter is arriving.Tatoeba #5723082 by mztae, translation #5428071 by Dejo
- Se oli hyvin kylmä talvi.It was a very cold winter.This sentence is useful for describing a winter as being very cold.Tatoeba #6704345 by Orava, translation #41140 by CK
- Talvi oli kylmä ja luminen.The winter was cold and snowy.This sentence is useful for describing the winter as cold and snowy.Tatoeba #6120075 by Orava, translation #3073723 by Hybrid
- Talvi on Suomessa kaunis ja kylmä.Winter in Finland is beautiful and cold.
- Rakastan talvea ja lumisia maisemia.I love winter and snowy landscapes.
- Haluaisin mennä laskemaan mäkeä tänä talvena.I would like to go sledding this winter.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mikko and Laura are talking about the changing weather at home.
- MikkoTalvi on täällä jo.Winter is already here.
- LauraOn se tosiaan.It really is.
- MikkoNyt on aika talvivaatteille.Now is the time for winter clothes.
- LauraOlet oikeassa, Mikko.You are right, Mikko.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter” translations and entries talvi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
