A few Finnish words from the Finnish Eurovision entry 2023
The Eurovision Song Contest is taking over our social media feeds once again! Have you heard the Finnish eurovision entry for 2023? It’s Käärijä with the song Cha Cha Cha. I can’t wait to see what his show will be like in Liverpool!
One of the most exciting things about this year’s entry is that it’s in Finnish. You can easily get Google to translate the lyrics for you (I won’t write them here because of copyright) but I noticed there were a couple of Finnish words and expressions that Google had trouble understanding. I will translate and explain them to you in this blog post.
Here’s a few expressions from Cha Cha Cha that Google Translate may not “get”:
rata = a party place, a party evening, a night club, a bar
Rata actually means “track” – train track, race track or similar. And when someone is radalla (“on the track”), they’re out partying.
kaksin käsin = with both hands, two-handed
When you hold something kaksin käsin, you are using both of your hands, two-handed.
kumota = to drink excessively
The verb kumota can mean “reverse” or “tip over”. In Cha Cha Cha, the verb kumota means “to drink lots of drinks”.
pysyä tuolissa = to manage to sit on the chair
This could be pysyä tuolilla, too.
naamataulu = a face
This is a colloquial, not-so-elegant word for “face”. Not the word to use when you tell someone they have a beautiful face!
parketti = a dance floor
olla lukossa = to be or feel awkward, to feel restrained or uncomfortable (in a social situation, for example)
Need a few more Eurovision related words and expressions? Check out this list!
Euroviisut
the Eurovision Song Contest
laulukilpailu
a song contest
osallistujamaat
the participating countries
Suomen kappale
the Finnish entry
edustaa Suomea
to represent Finland
semifinaali
the semi-final
finaali
the final
isäntämaa
the hosting country
juontaja
a presenter
piste
a point
kaksitoista pistettä
twelve points
kilpailla
to compete
esitys
a performance
voittaja
the winner
laulaja
a singer
kappale / laulu
a song
laulaa
to sing
tuomaristo
the jury
äänestää
to vote
pisteidenlasku
scoring
Will you be watching the Eurovision 2023? Who's your favourite? Let me know in the comments!