Meaning
Lack of light in the environment.
Cultural Background
The 'Kaamos' period in Lapland means the sun doesn't rise at all. People use 'kirkasvalolamppu' (bright light lamps) to stay healthy. Reflectors (heijastin) are a must. If it's 'pimeää', you are invisible to cars without one. Finns love candles (kynttilät) to create 'tunnelma' when it is dark outside. The 'Blue Moment' (sininen hetki) is the specific type of 'pimeä' just before night falls, very famous in Nordic art.
The Partitive Rule
Always use the -ää ending when talking about the weather or the general feel of a place.
No 'It'!
Don't say 'Se on pimeää'. Just 'On pimeää'. Adding 'se' sounds like you are pointing at a specific dark object.
Meaning
Lack of light in the environment.
The Partitive Rule
Always use the -ää ending when talking about the weather or the general feel of a place.
No 'It'!
Don't say 'Se on pimeää'. Just 'On pimeää'. Adding 'se' sounds like you are pointing at a specific dark object.
Small Talk
Complaining about how dark it is (Onpa pimeää!) is the most common way to start a conversation with a Finn in November.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'pimeä'.
Ulkona on jo ______.
We use the partitive form 'pimeää' to describe the weather or environment.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'It is dark' in Finnish?
Finnish doesn't use a dummy subject like 'it', and the adjective must be in the partitive.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Mennäänkö ulos? B: Ei, siellä on jo ______.
B is giving a reason not to go out, which is that it's already dark.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You wake up in December at 7 AM. What do you say?
In December mornings in Finland, it is very dark.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Light in Finnish
Light
- • On valoisaa
- • Aurinko paistaa
In-between
- • On hämärää
- • On pilvistä
Dark
- • On pimeää
- • On sysipimeää
Practice Bank
4 exercisesUlkona on jo ______.
We use the partitive form 'pimeää' to describe the weather or environment.
How do you say 'It is dark' in Finnish?
Finnish doesn't use a dummy subject like 'it', and the adjective must be in the partitive.
A: Mennäänkö ulos? B: Ei, siellä on jo ______.
B is giving a reason not to go out, which is that it's already dark.
You wake up in December at 7 AM. What do you say?
In December mornings in Finland, it is very dark.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but it's slang. 'Pimeä tyyppi' can mean someone who is crazy or very strange.
Because darkness is an 'uncountable' state. In Finnish, weather and states use the partitive case.
No, 'yö' is the noun 'night'. 'Pimeä' is the adjective 'dark'. You can have a dark evening that isn't night yet.
Say 'On liian pimeää'.
Related Phrases
on hämärää
similarit is dim/twilight
tulee pimeää
builds onit is getting dark
on valoisaa
contrastit is bright/light
sysipimeää
specialized formpitch black
