tänään — meaning in English: today

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for today

tänään

pahoinvointi

hitaasti

syksy

kolme

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Finnish for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use 'tänään' in everyday conversations to refer to the current day, whether discussing plans, events, or weather. For example, you might hear it in a casual chat about what someone is doing that day or in news broadcasts announcing today's events.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym to 'tänään' is 'nykyään', which means 'nowadays' or 'currently'. While 'tänään' is specifically about the present day, 'nykyään' refers to a broader time frame, often used to discuss trends or changes over time.

Culture

'Tänään' comes from the Finnish root 'tänä', which means 'this', combined with the word for 'day', 'päivä'. This reflects the practical nature of Finnish, where words are often formed to convey specific meanings clearly and directly. Interestingly, the concept of 'today' is deeply tied to the Finnish lifestyle, where punctuality and planning for the present day are valued.

FAQ

Q.How do you pronounce 'tänään'?

'Tänään' is pronounced as 'tah-nahn', with emphasis on the first syllable. The 'ä' is pronounced like the 'a' in 'cat', making it a unique sound for English speakers.

Q.Can 'tänään' be used in formal contexts?

Yes, 'tänään' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. You might hear it in business meetings when discussing current projects or deadlines.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 'tänään'?

One common mistake is using 'tänään' to refer to past or future events. Remember, 'tänään' strictly means 'today', so for past events, use 'eilen' (yesterday) and for future events, use 'huomenna' (tomorrow).

Learn finnish with Maspeak →

Finnish Vocabulary