I was asked (by a healthcare professional) to write a post on how to say supportive things to patients in Finnish. I don’t think you can ever learn too many Finnish expressions to comfort or give emotional support to other people. This blog post focuses on how people working in healthcare can support their patients in Finnish in difficult times, but of course, these expressions are useful for anyone to learn.
Finnish for healthcare workers

Ways to express understanding in Finnish

 

  • Tämä on varmasti vaikeaa. = This must be difficult.

  • On ymmärrettävää, että tämä on raskasta. = It is understandable that this is hard.

  • Ymmärrän. = I understand.

  • Olen pahoillani. Minä tiedän, että tämä ei ole helppoa. = I’m sorry. I know that this isn’t easy.

 

Finnish questions about a support network and emotional well-being

 

  • Onko sinulla joku, jolle puhua näistä asioista? = Do you have someone who you can talk to about these things?

  • Onko sinulla joku, jolle soittaa? = Do you have somebody to call?

  • Onko sinulla tukiverkostoa lähellä? = Do you have a support network near you?

  • Saatko tarvitsemaasi tukea? = Do you get the support that you need?

  • Tuntuuko sinusta, että sinua kuunnellaan? = Do you feel that you are listened to?

  • Haluaisitko sinä keskusteluapua? = Would you like to talk to someone? (as in therapy)

  • Onko sinun vaikea puhua tästä? = Is it hard for you to talk about this?

  • Miten olet jaksellut? = How have you been coping?

 

Ways to give advice in Finnish

 

  • Ole lempeä itsellesi. = Be kind to yourself.

  • Nyt on erityisen tärkeää, että olet lempeä itsellesi. = Now it’s especially important that you’re kind to yourself.

  • Yritä vähentää stressiä / kuormitusta. = Try to reduce stress.

  • Onko sinun mahdollista vähentää työmäärää? = Is it possible for you to reduce your workload?

  • Tee joka päivä jotain, mistä nautit. = Do something that you enjoy every day.

  • Puhu jollekin tunteistasi. = Talk to someone about your feelings.

  • Älä pidä vaikeita tunteita sisällä. = Don’t keep the difficult emotions inside.

  • Jokainen käsittelee näitä asioita omalla tavallaan. = Everyone deals with these things in their own way.