The supermarket is where most newcomers have their first real Finnish conversation, usually with a cashier who asks three quick questions while you fumble with your card. Here are those questions, the answers, and the words on the shelves.
What the cashier says
Three questions, always in this order: card, receipt, bag.
| Hei! Onko sinulla S-Etukorttia? | Hi! Do you have an S-Etukortti (S-group loyalty card)? At K shops it is "Plussa-korttia", at Lidl "Lidl Plus". |
| Ei ole, kiitos. | No, I don't. |
| On, tässä. | Yes, here. |
| Kuitti mukaan? | Receipt with you? |
| Ei kiitos. | No thanks. |
| Kyllä kiitos. | Yes please. |
| Tarvitsetko pussin? | Do you need a bag? |
| Yksi pussi, kiitos. | One bag, please. |
| Kortilla vai käteisellä? | Card or cash? |
| Kortilla. | By card. |
| Voit maksaa. | You can pay now. (tap or insert the card) |
| Kiitos, hei hei! | Thanks, bye! |
What you might need to say
| Anteeksi, missä on maito? | Excuse me, where is the milk? |
| Paljonko tämä maksaa? | How much does this cost? |
| Onko tämä tarjouksessa? | Is this on offer? |
| Onko teillä…? | Do you have…? |
| Voinko maksaa kortilla? | Can I pay by card? |
| Haluaisin palauttaa tämän. | I would like to return this. |
| Minulla on kuitti. | I have the receipt. |
Words on the shelves and signs
| tarjous | offer, special price |
| ale, alennus | sale, discount |
| hinta | price |
| kilohinta | price per kilo Always on the shelf label in small print. The fair way to compare. |
| parasta ennen | best before |
| viimeinen käyttöpäivä | use by |
| pantti | bottle deposit 0.10 to 0.40 € back at the machine. |
| laktoositon | lactose-free |
| luomu | organic |
| kotimainen | Finnish, domestic |
| itsepalvelukassa | self-checkout |
| aukioloajat | opening hours |
| hedelmät ja vihannekset | fruit and vegetables |
| leipä | bread |
| liha ja kala | meat and fish |
| maito, juusto, jogurtti | milk, cheese, yoghurt |
| pakasteet | frozen food |