Pronunciation

Consonants

If a Finnish consonant is doubled, it should be pronounced with a brief glottal stop, meaning that your mouth is ready to say it but pauses for a moment. Hence mato (worm) is "MAto", but matto (carpet) is "MA'to".

b c d f
pronounced as in English (not used in native Finnish words)

g
like 'g' in 'get'

h
like 'h' in 'hotel'; pronounced more strongly before a consonant

j
like 'y' in 'yes'

k
similar to English 'k', but unaspirated and slightly voiced

l m n
pronounced as in English

nk ng
pronounced like 'ng' in 'sing'

p
similar to English 'p', but unaspirated and slightly voiced

r
trilled, as in Spanish 'perro'

s
like 'ss' in 'hiss'

t
pronounced as in English

v w
like 'v' in 'vine'

z
like 'ts' in 'cats' (not used in native Finnish words)