Language
Finnish swear words
A guide to swearing in Finnish: 49 words and phrases from the Swear Atlas catalogue, organised from mild to strong and explained in plain English. Every entry links to its full page with meaning, pronunciation and a 1–5 Burn Rating.
Common Finnish swear words
The recognisable everyday expressions, with what each one actually means.
- mulkku It means 'penis' but is often used as a strong insult for someone who's being a complete arsehole. The context really shapes its meaning, making it a versatile term in Finnish. 4/5 · Strong
- hitto It's a mild exclamation similar to 'damn'. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusi It's a coarse word for piss. Literally, it translates to urine. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusta It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse way. It can also be used figuratively to describe a failure. 2/5 · Coarse
- paskanmarjat This is an exclamation used to dismiss something as nonsense or rubbish. Literally, it translates to 'shit berries.' 2/5 · Coarse
- persaukinen It means broke or having no money. The literal translation 'open-arsed' adds a humorous twist, implying someone is so poor they can't afford to close their pants. 2/5 · Coarse
- piru It's a mild curse or exclamation, often used to express frustration or surprise. Literally, it means 'devil.' 2/5 · Coarse
- tumputtaa It’s a slang term for masturbating, used in a light-hearted way. Think of it as a playful way to refer to self-pleasure. 2/5 · Coarse
Milder expressions
Gentler exclamations and everyday grumbles.
- hitto It's a mild exclamation similar to 'damn'. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusi It's a coarse word for piss. Literally, it translates to urine. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusta It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse way. It can also be used figuratively to describe a failure. 2/5 · Coarse
- paskanmarjat This is an exclamation used to dismiss something as nonsense or rubbish. Literally, it translates to 'shit berries.' 2/5 · Coarse
- persaukinen It means broke or having no money. The literal translation 'open-arsed' adds a humorous twist, implying someone is so poor they can't afford to close their pants. 2/5 · Coarse
- piru It's a mild curse or exclamation, often used to express frustration or surprise. Literally, it means 'devil.' 2/5 · Coarse
- tumputtaa It’s a slang term for masturbating, used in a light-hearted way. Think of it as a playful way to refer to self-pleasure. 2/5 · Coarse
Stronger stuff
The heavier end of the scale — handle with care.
- haista vittu This phrase is a strong way to dismiss someone, essentially telling them to fuck off. Literally, it translates to 'smell a vulva,' which adds a layer of sexual insult. 4/5 · Strong
- kyrpä This is a strong, vulgar term for 'penis' in Finnish. It's not used in polite conversation and is definitely not medical terminology. 4/5 · Strong
- kyrpänaama It's a vulgar personal insult that translates to 'dick face.' 4/5 · Strong
- mulkku It means 'penis' but is often used as a strong insult for someone who's being a complete arsehole. The context really shapes its meaning, making it a versatile term in Finnish. 4/5 · Strong
- nussia This is a vulgar verb that means to have sex, specifically to fuck. It's a direct and explicit term for sexual activity. 4/5 · Strong
- perkele It’s a strong exclamation of anger or determination, often used to express frustration or resolve. Literally, it means 'devil.' 4/5 · Strong
- vittu This is a strong exclamation that can also function as a versatile swear-word root. Literally, it means 'vulva', but that's not how it's commonly used. 4/5 · Strong
- vitun Literally “of a vulva”. It’s a vulgar intensifier that roughly translates to 'fucking.' 4/5 · Strong
Finnish insults
Words aimed at a person rather than shouted at the world.
- haista vittu This phrase is a strong way to dismiss someone, essentially telling them to fuck off. Literally, it translates to 'smell a vulva,' which adds a layer of sexual insult. 4/5 · Strong
- kyrpänaama It's a vulgar personal insult that translates to 'dick face.' 4/5 · Strong
- mulkku It means 'penis' but is often used as a strong insult for someone who's being a complete arsehole. The context really shapes its meaning, making it a versatile term in Finnish. 4/5 · Strong
- haista paska It means to tell someone to fuck off in a hostile way. The literal translation is 'smell shit,' but that's not how it's used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- kusipää This is an insult aimed at someone obnoxious or an arsehole, essentially calling them a 'piss head.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- molopää It's a coarse insult for someone considered foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'dick head.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- mulkero It's used to describe someone who is obnoxious or unpleasant. The term is related to another Finnish swear word, 'mulkku,' which means 'dick.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- mulkvisti It's an insult aimed at someone who's being a disagreeable idiot. It carries a bit of a humorous tone, making it less harsh than it might seem. 3/5 · Vulgar
Expressions & phrases
Multi-word expressions and set phrases.
- haista paska It means to tell someone to fuck off in a hostile way. The literal translation is 'smell shit,' but that's not how it's used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- juosten kustu It refers to something done carelessly or very badly. The literal translation is 'pissed while running.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- nuolla persettä This phrase means to flatter someone or suck up to them, often in a sycophantic way. The literal translation is 'lick arse,' but it doesn't always carry sexual connotations. 3/5 · Vulgar
- perseet olalla This phrase means extremely drunk. Literally, it translates to 'arses on shoulder,' which adds a humorous image to the state of inebriation. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vetää käteen This phrase means to masturbate. It literally translates to 'pull into hand,' which reflects the action involved. 3/5 · Vulgar
- haista vittu This phrase is a strong way to dismiss someone, essentially telling them to fuck off. Literally, it translates to 'smell a vulva,' which adds a layer of sexual insult. 4/5 · Strong
How to pronounce them
An English-friendly “sounds like” cue for each.
- hitto Sounds like “HEE-toh”. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusi Sounds like “KOO-see”. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusta Sounds like “KOOS-tah”. 2/5 · Coarse
- paskanmarjat Sounds like “pas-KAN-mar-yat”. 2/5 · Coarse
- persaukinen Sounds like “PER-sow-kee-nen”. 2/5 · Coarse
- piru Sounds like “PEE-roo”. 2/5 · Coarse
- tumputtaa Sounds like “TOOM-poo-taa”. 2/5 · Coarse
- haista paska Sounds like “HIGH-stah PAS-kah”. 3/5 · Vulgar
Curious literal translations
What these expressions say word-for-word, versus what they really mean.
- paskapää Literally “shit head” — This is a direct insult, akin to calling someone a 'shithead.' It's not meant to imply they literally have shit for a head, but rather to demean them. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskapuhe Literally “shit talk” — It means bullshit or nonsense, referring to speech or claims that are not credible or are just plain ridiculous. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskoa Literally “shit” — This means to defecate or mess something up. It's a coarse way to describe making a mistake or ruining something. 3/5 · Vulgar
- persereikä Literally “arse hole” — This term refers to an arsehole and is used both as a bodily term and as a personal insult. Context is key in determining its intent. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vitun Literally “of a vulva” — It’s a vulgar intensifier that roughly translates to 'fucking.' 4/5 · Strong
How strong is Finnish swearing?
Burn Rating spread across all 49 Finnish entries (1 = mild, 5 = extreme).
- 1 · Mild 0
- 2 · Coarse 7
- 3 · Vulgar 32
- 4 · Strong 10
- 5 · Extreme 0
All Finnish words A–Z
H
- haista paska It means to tell someone to fuck off in a hostile way. The literal translation is 'smell shit,' but that's not how it's used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- haista vittu This phrase is a strong way to dismiss someone, essentially telling them to fuck off. Literally, it translates to 'smell a vulva,' which adds a layer of sexual insult. 4/5 · Strong
- helvetisti It means a lot or extremely, used as an intensifier. The literal translation is 'hellishly.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- hevonpaska It means bullshit or complete nonsense. Literally, it translates to 'horse shit.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- hitto It's a mild exclamation similar to 'damn'. 2/5 · Coarse
J
K
- kusettaa It means to deceive or con someone, but can also refer to needing to urinate. It's a versatile term depending on the context. 3/5 · Vulgar
- kusi It's a coarse word for piss. Literally, it translates to urine. 2/5 · Coarse
- kusipää This is an insult aimed at someone obnoxious or an arsehole, essentially calling them a 'piss head.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- kusta It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse way. It can also be used figuratively to describe a failure. 2/5 · Coarse
- kyrpä This is a strong, vulgar term for 'penis' in Finnish. It's not used in polite conversation and is definitely not medical terminology. 4/5 · Strong
- kyrpänaama It's a vulgar personal insult that translates to 'dick face.' 4/5 · Strong
- kyrpiintyä It means to become fed up or pissed off. It's a way to express frustration in a more colorful manner. 3/5 · Vulgar
M
- molopää It's a coarse insult for someone considered foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'dick head.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- mulkero It's used to describe someone who is obnoxious or unpleasant. The term is related to another Finnish swear word, 'mulkku,' which means 'dick.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- mulkku It means 'penis' but is often used as a strong insult for someone who's being a complete arsehole. The context really shapes its meaning, making it a versatile term in Finnish. 4/5 · Strong
- mulkvisti It's an insult aimed at someone who's being a disagreeable idiot. It carries a bit of a humorous tone, making it less harsh than it might seem. 3/5 · Vulgar
- munapää This is an insult similar to calling someone a dickhead. Literally, it translates to 'egg head.' 3/5 · Vulgar
N
- nuolla persettä This phrase means to flatter someone or suck up to them, often in a sycophantic way. The literal translation is 'lick arse,' but it doesn't always carry sexual connotations. 3/5 · Vulgar
- nussia This is a vulgar verb that means to have sex, specifically to fuck. It's a direct and explicit term for sexual activity. 4/5 · Strong
P
- paska This means 'shit' in the everyday sense, and can also refer to something of poor quality or nonsense. It literally translates to 'excrement.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskamainen It means something is rotten, nasty, or lousy. The literal translation is 'shit-like,' which gives a sense of just how unpleasant it is. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskanmarjat This is an exclamation used to dismiss something as nonsense or rubbish. Literally, it translates to 'shit berries.' 2/5 · Coarse
- paskantaa It means to shit, used as a coarse bodily verb. It's a straightforward term for the act of defecation. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskapää This is a direct insult, akin to calling someone a 'shithead.' It's not meant to imply they literally have shit for a head, but rather to demean them. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskapuhe It means bullshit or nonsense, referring to speech or claims that are not credible or are just plain ridiculous. 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskiainen This is an insult meaning 'bastard' or 'nasty person.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- paskoa This means to defecate or mess something up. It's a coarse way to describe making a mistake or ruining something. 3/5 · Vulgar
- perkele It’s a strong exclamation of anger or determination, often used to express frustration or resolve. Literally, it means 'devil.' 4/5 · Strong
- persaukinen It means broke or having no money. The literal translation 'open-arsed' adds a humorous twist, implying someone is so poor they can't afford to close their pants. 2/5 · Coarse
- perse This refers to the backside, specifically the buttocks. It's a coarse term often used in informal contexts. 3/5 · Vulgar
- perseennuolija It refers to someone who is a sycophant or suck-up, essentially a person who flatters others to gain favor. The literal translation is 'arse licker', which adds a layer of rudeness to the insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
- perseet olalla This phrase means extremely drunk. Literally, it translates to 'arses on shoulder,' which adds a humorous image to the state of inebriation. 3/5 · Vulgar
- persereikä This term refers to an arsehole and is used both as a bodily term and as a personal insult. Context is key in determining its intent. 3/5 · Vulgar
- persläpi This is a vulgar insult that literally translates to 'arse hole.' It can refer to someone being an idiot or a nuisance. 3/5 · Vulgar
- pilkunnussija It's an insult for someone who is overly pedantic or nitpicky. Literally, it translates to 'comma fucker,' which adds a humorous twist to the insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
- piru It's a mild curse or exclamation, often used to express frustration or surprise. Literally, it means 'devil.' 2/5 · Coarse
R
T
V
- vetää käteen This phrase means to masturbate. It literally translates to 'pull into hand,' which reflects the action involved. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vittu This is a strong exclamation that can also function as a versatile swear-word root. Literally, it means 'vulva', but that's not how it's commonly used. 4/5 · Strong
- vittuilla It means to taunt or mock someone, essentially giving them a hard time. It's not specifically sexual in nature, despite the coarse vibe. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vittumainen It describes something or someone as very annoying, nasty, or difficult. It's a strong evaluative term for a negative experience or person. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vittuuntua It means to get pissed off or irritated. It's a way to express annoyance in a colloquial sense. 3/5 · Vulgar
- vitun It’s a vulgar intensifier that roughly translates to 'fucking.' 4/5 · Strong
- vitusti It means 'a fucking lot' and is used to emphasize quantity or intensity. 4/5 · Strong
- vituttaa It means to feel very annoyed or pissed off. It describes irritation rather than anything anatomical. 4/5 · Strong
- vitutus It refers to a strong feeling of annoyance or frustration. Essentially, it's a way to express being really fed up with something. 3/5 · Vulgar