Bedeutung
To accidentally say something inappropriate or embarrassing.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Finns value 'asiallisuus' (professionalism/matter-of-factness). A 'sammakko' is seen as a breach of this cultural norm, leading to 'myötähäpeä' (vicarious embarrassment). Journalists use this term frequently in headlines to describe political gaffes, making it a standard part of political discourse. The idiom links back to the idea that words have physical weight and consequences, a common theme in the Kalevala and Finnish magic. In Finland, it is often more polite to stay silent than to risk 'päästää sammakko'. This contributes to the stereotype of the quiet Finn.
Use for Apologies
It's a very natural way to apologize for a social slip. It shows you realize you were tactless.
Possessive Suffixes
Don't forget the suffix! 'Suusta' is not enough; it must be 'suustani', 'suustasi', etc.
Bedeutung
To accidentally say something inappropriate or embarrassing.
Use for Apologies
It's a very natural way to apologize for a social slip. It shows you realize you were tactless.
Possessive Suffixes
Don't forget the suffix! 'Suusta' is not enough; it must be 'suustani', 'suustasi', etc.
Plural vs Singular
Use 'sammakko' for one specific mistake and 'sammakoita' if someone is talking a lot of nonsense or making many mistakes.
Myötähäpeä
If someone else lets a frog out, the best Finnish response is often a polite silence or a quick change of subject.
Teste dich selbst
Täytä puuttuva sana oikeassa muodossa (muista omistusliite!).
Minä olin niin väsynyt, että päästin ________ suustani.
In this context, a single specific blunder (accusative) is most natural.
Mikä näistä tarkoittaa samaa kuin 'päästää sammakko suustaan'?
Valitse oikea vaihtoehto:
The idiom refers to a social gaffe or blunder.
Täytä dialogi sopivalla muodolla.
A: 'Miksi kaikki katsovat minua niin oudosti?' B: 'Koska sinä päästit melkoisen ________ suustasi äsken.'
The object of 'päästää' should be in the accusative case.
Missä tilanteessa on sopivaa sanoa 'päästää sammakko suustaan'?
Yhdistä tilanne ja idiomi.
The idiom is specifically for accidental social blunders.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Sammakko vs. Pukki
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMinä olin niin väsynyt, että päästin ________ suustani.
In this context, a single specific blunder (accusative) is most natural.
Valitse oikea vaihtoehto:
The idiom refers to a social gaffe or blunder.
A: 'Miksi kaikki katsovat minua niin oudosti?' B: 'Koska sinä päästit melkoisen ________ suustasi äsken.'
The object of 'päästää' should be in the accusative case.
Yhdistä tilanne ja idiomi.
The idiom is specifically for accidental social blunders.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt depends on the tone. It can be a bit critical, but often it's used humorously or to describe a common human error.
Yes, in an informal or neutral email to a colleague, but avoid it in very formal business correspondence.
'Sammakko' is the idiom for the mistake itself; 'möläytys' is the act of blurting it out. They are often used together.
Yes, the idiom is fixed. You cannot let a 'toad' or a 'fish' out of your mouth in Finnish.
It would be 'suustamme' (from our mouths). For example: 'Me päästimme sammakon suustamme.'
Yes, it is used all over Finland and is standard Finnish.
No, it is always a mistake or a gaffe, though it might be funny in hindsight.
That doesn't mean anything specific. You must use the verb 'päästää' (to let out).
Yes, 'möläyttää' or 'lipsauttaa' are more common in very casual speech.
Yes, it's becoming common to use it for digital 'slips' as well.
Verwandte Redewendungen
möläyttää
similarTo blurt out something without thinking.
lipsauttaa
similarTo let something slip (a secret or a word).
puhua pukkia
contrastTo talk nonsense or lie.
nielaista sanansa
contrastTo take back one's words / swallow one's words.
sammakkotehdas
specialized formA 'frog factory' - someone who constantly makes gaffes.
