Meaning
A bag with nothing inside.
Cultural Background
Finns are very practical. If you bring a 'tyhjä laukku' to a party, people might jokingly ask if you're planning to take leftovers home. In Finnish airports, 'tyhjä laukku' is a common phrase at security to indicate you aren't carrying prohibited items. The 'tyhjä kassi' (tote bag) is a symbol of the Finnish 'green' lifestyle. Most Finns carry one folded inside their main bag. Finnish design (like Marimekko) often focuses on the 'laukku'. A 'tyhjä laukku' from a famous brand is still a fashion statement.
Double the K
Remember the double 'kk' in laukku. It makes the word sound 'sharper' and longer in the middle.
The 'Y' sound
Don't pronounce 'tyhjä' as 'tihjä'. Round your lips for the 'y'!
Meaning
A bag with nothing inside.
Double the K
Remember the double 'kk' in laukku. It makes the word sound 'sharper' and longer in the middle.
The 'Y' sound
Don't pronounce 'tyhjä' as 'tihjä'. Round your lips for the 'y'!
Partitive Power
If you are talking about 'some' empty bags or 'no' empty bags, always use the partitive: 'tyhjiä laukkuja'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the nominative case.
Tämä on ______ laukku.
In a simple 'This is...' sentence, we use the nominative case.
Which sentence is a correct negative statement?
I don't have an empty bag.
Negative sentences in Finnish require the partitive case.
Match the Finnish phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
These show the nominative singular, inessive singular, and nominative plural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Onko sinulla laukku? B: On, mutta se on ______ ______.
The speaker is simply stating what the object is.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tyhjä vs Täysi
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTämä on ______ laukku.
In a simple 'This is...' sentence, we use the nominative case.
I don't have an empty bag.
Negative sentences in Finnish require the partitive case.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These show the nominative singular, inessive singular, and nominative plural.
A: Onko sinulla laukku? B: On, mutta se on ______ ______.
The speaker is simply stating what the object is.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but 'tyhjä reppu' is more specific and natural for a backpack.
You say 'Laukku on tyhjä.'
Yes, when it's an attribute (e.g., 'the empty bag'). If you say 'The bag is empty,' it comes after 'on'.
Tyhjät laukut.
No, it's neutral. It's the standard word for any bag.
No, use 'tyhjä lompakko'.
Yes, it becomes 'tyhjää'.
Yes, 'kassi' is very common, or 'bägi' in youth slang.
Tarvitsen tyhjän laukun.
No, that's not a common Finnish idiom. Use 'tyhjäpää' (empty head) instead.
Related Phrases
Tyhjä kassi
similarEmpty shopping bag
Täysi laukku
contrastFull bag
Matkalaukku
specialized formSuitcase
Tyhjin käsin
similarEmpty-handed
Reppu
similarBackpack
