Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'olla kallis' to describe anything that costs a lot of money, from a cup of coffee to a new house.
- Means: To be expensive or high-priced.
- Used in: Shops, restaurants, and when discussing bills or services.
- Don't confuse: 'Kallis' can also mean 'dear' (beloved) in very specific contexts.
내 수준에 맞는 설명:
뜻
High price.
문화적 배경
Finns often use 'kallis' as a conversation starter to complain about taxes or the price of alcohol. It's a way of bonding through shared hardship. Finns often travel to Estonia because things are 'halvempaa' (cheaper) there. The contrast between 'kallis Suomi' and 'halpa Viro' is a major cultural theme. In tourist areas of Lapland, prices are notoriously 'kalliita'. Locals and tourists alike often comment on the 'Lapin lisää' (Lapland extra) on prices. Finnish design brands like Marimekko or Iittala are 'kalliita' but considered 'arvokkaita' (valuable) investments that last a lifetime.
The 'Oho' Factor
When you see an expensive price, it's very natural to start with 'Oho!' (Wow/Oops). 'Oho, onpa kallis!'
Plural Trap
Remember that 'kallis' changes to 'kalliita' in the plural. This is a very common test question for Finnish learners!
The 'Oho' Factor
When you see an expensive price, it's very natural to start with 'Oho!' (Wow/Oops). 'Oho, onpa kallis!'
Plural Trap
Remember that 'kallis' changes to 'kalliita' in the plural. This is a very common test question for Finnish learners!
Use 'Hintava' for Politeness
If you are in a nice boutique, saying 'Tämä on kallis' might sound a bit blunt. 'Tämä on aika hintava' sounds more sophisticated.
Coffee Benchmark
Always check the price of coffee. If it's over 4 euros, you are officially in a 'kallis' place.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'olla'.
Tämä takki ______ kallis.
The subject 'takki' is singular, so we use 'on'.
Which sentence is correct for plural items?
Choose the correct plural form:
Plural subjects require 'ovat' and the partitive plural 'kalliita'.
Match the Finnish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching tenses and comparative forms.
Complete the dialogue at the market.
Asiakas: Kuinka paljon tämä maksaa? Myyjä: Se on 50 euroa. Asiakas: Ohhoh! Se ______ ______.
50 euros is generally considered expensive for a small market item.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Kallis vs. Halpa
Things that are 'Kalliita' in Finland
Food & Drink
- • Alkoholi
- • Ulkona syöminen
- • Kahvi
Living
- • Vuokra
- • Sähkö
- • Bensa
연습 문제 은행
5 연습 문제Tämä takki ______ kallis.
The subject 'takki' is singular, so we use 'on'.
Choose the correct plural form:
Plural subjects require 'ovat' and the partitive plural 'kalliita'.
왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:
Matching tenses and comparative forms.
Asiakas: Kuinka paljon tämä maksaa? Myyjä: Se on 50 euroa. Asiakas: Ohhoh! Se ______ ______.
50 euros is generally considered expensive for a small market item.
🎉 점수: /5
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, but it's formal or poetic. 'Kallis ystävä' means 'Dear friend'. In casual speech, use 'rakas' for loved ones.
The opposite is 'halpa' (cheap) or 'edullinen' (affordable/good value).
Use 'liian kallis'. For example: 'Tämä on liian kallis minulle.'
No, it's a neutral, factual word for a high price.
In Finnish, predicate adjectives for plural subjects are usually in the partitive case. 'Kalliita' is the partitive plural of 'kallis'.
It's better to say 'korkea hinta' (high price), but 'kallis hinta' is understood.
The superlative is 'kallein'. 'Tämä on kaupan kallein takki.'
Yes, 'suolainen' (salty) is very common slang for a high price.
99% of the time in modern Finnish, yes. Occasionally it means 'precious' in a non-monetary sense.
Minä olen kallis (I am expensive - rare!), Sinä olet kallis, Se on kallis, Me olemme kalliita, Te olette kalliita, He ovat kalliita.
관련 표현
maksaa paljon
synonymto cost a lot
arvokas
similarvaluable
halpa
contrastcheap
hintava
specialized formpricey
maksaa maltaita
builds onto cost a fortune
어디서 쓸까?
At a Cafe
Asiakas: Viisi euroa santsikupista?
Ystävä: Joo, se on aika kallis paikka.
Buying a Car
Ostaja: Tämä Tesla on hieno.
Myyjä: Se on hieno, mutta se on myös kallis.
Paying Rent
Vuokralainen: Vuokra nousee taas.
Naapuri: Tämä alue on nykyään todella kallis.
At the Market Square
Turisti: Nämä mansikat ovat kalliita!
Myyjä: Mutta ne ovat suomalaisia ja makeita.
Job Interview (Budget)
Pomo: Tämä ohjelmisto on kallis investointi.
Hakija: Kyllä, mutta se säästää aikaa pitkällä aikavälillä.
Dating App Chat
Käyttäjä A: Mennäänkö tuonne uuteen ravintolaan?
Käyttäjä B: Olen kuullut, että se on tosi kallis. Kävisikö joku muu?
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Callous' salesperson charging you too much. 'Kallis' sounds like 'Callous' prices!
시각적 연상
Imagine a golden price tag with wings flying away from your wallet. The tag has the word 'KALLIS' written in bold, red letters.
Rhyme
Kallis hinta, tyhjä rinta (Expensive price, empty chest/heart).
Story
You go to a market in Helsinki. You see a beautiful reindeer skin. You touch it and ask the price. The seller says 'Sata euroa' (100€). You drop the skin and shout 'Oho, onpa kallis!' and the reindeer on the skin winks at you because it knows it's high quality.
In Other Languages
Similar to English 'dear' which can mean both expensive and beloved. Also similar to German 'teuer' and Swedish 'dyr'.
Word Web
챌린지
Go to a Finnish online store (like Verkkokauppa.com) and find three items you think are 'kalliita'. Write them down: '[Item] on kallis.'
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after your first shopping trip in Finland.
발음
Double 'l' is held longer. The 'o' is short like in 'hot'.
Stress on the first syllable. Double 'l' is long. The 's' is sharp.
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Tuotteen hinta on huomattavan korkea. (General pricing)
Tämä on kallis. (General pricing)
Onpa kallis! (General pricing)
Aika suolainen hinta. (General pricing)
From Proto-Finnic *kallis, likely borrowed from a Baltic source (cf. Lithuanian kelys 'high, distinguished').
재미있는 사실
The word 'kallis' is related to the word 'kallio' (rock) in some folk etymologies, suggesting something as solid and valuable as a cliff, though linguists prefer the Baltic loan theory.
문화 노트
Finns often use 'kallis' as a conversation starter to complain about taxes or the price of alcohol. It's a way of bonding through shared hardship.
“Olut on täällä tosi kallista!”
Finns often travel to Estonia because things are 'halvempaa' (cheaper) there. The contrast between 'kallis Suomi' and 'halpa Viro' is a major cultural theme.
“Viro on halvempi kuin Suomi.”
In tourist areas of Lapland, prices are notoriously 'kalliita'. Locals and tourists alike often comment on the 'Lapin lisää' (Lapland extra) on prices.
“Lapissa kaikki on kalliimpaa.”
Finnish design brands like Marimekko or Iittala are 'kalliita' but considered 'arvokkaita' (valuable) investments that last a lifetime.
“Marimekon mekot ovat kalliita, mutta laadukkaita.”
대화 시작하기
Onko Suomi mielestäsi kallis maa?
Mitä ostit viimeksi, mikä oli kallis?
Onko kahvi kalliimpaa täällä vai kotimaassasi?
자주 하는 실수
Tämä maito on kalliita.
Tämä maito on kallis.
L1 Interference
Se on kallis hinta.
Se on korkea hinta. / Se on kallis.
L1 Interference
Hän on kallis mies.
Hän on kallis ystävä. / Hän on rikas mies.
L1 Interference
Tämä on kallis kuin tuo.
Tämä on kalliimpi kuin tuo.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
ser caro
Spanish adjectives must agree in gender, which Finnish doesn't have.
être cher
French uses 'cher' more frequently for people than modern Finnish.
teuer sein
German doesn't share the 'beloved' sense for the word 'teuer'.
高い (takai)
Japanese doesn't require a verb 'to be' in the same way for adjectives (takai desu).
غالي (ghaali)
Arabic has complex gender and number agreement for the adjective.
贵 (guì)
Chinese is a tonal language and doesn't use a 'to be' verb with adjectives.
비싸다 (bissada)
The grammatical category is a verb, not an adjective.
ser caro
Pronunciation and gender agreement rules.
Spotted in the Real World
“Sä oot niin kallis”
A popular Finnish pop song where 'kallis' is used in the affectionate 'precious' sense.
“Sähkö on nyt kalliimpaa kuin koskaan.”
Reporting on the energy crisis.
“Kaikki on nykyään niin kallista.”
The main character complaining about modern life.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'korkea' (high) for prices because of English 'high price'.
Use 'kallis' for the object itself, and 'korkea' only if you use the word 'hinta' (price).
Both 'kallis' and 'rakas' can mean 'dear'.
Use 'rakas' for romantic or deep love, and 'kallis' for 'precious' or 'expensive'.
자주 묻는 질문 (10)
Yes, but it's formal or poetic. 'Kallis ystävä' means 'Dear friend'. In casual speech, use 'rakas' for loved ones.
usage contextsThe opposite is 'halpa' (cheap) or 'edullinen' (affordable/good value).
basic understandingUse 'liian kallis'. For example: 'Tämä on liian kallis minulle.'
practical tipsNo, it's a neutral, factual word for a high price.
usage contextsIn Finnish, predicate adjectives for plural subjects are usually in the partitive case. 'Kalliita' is the partitive plural of 'kallis'.
grammar mechanicsIt's better to say 'korkea hinta' (high price), but 'kallis hinta' is understood.
common mistakesThe superlative is 'kallein'. 'Tämä on kaupan kallein takki.'
grammar mechanicsYes, 'suolainen' (salty) is very common slang for a high price.
usage contexts99% of the time in modern Finnish, yes. Occasionally it means 'precious' in a non-monetary sense.
basic understandingMinä olen kallis (I am expensive - rare!), Sinä olet kallis, Se on kallis, Me olemme kalliita, Te olette kalliita, He ovat kalliita.
grammar mechanics
