How to Pronounce Finnish P and T Sounds – Listen and Practice with Native Audio
Master the clear, unaspirated p and t sounds in Finnish with simple audio exercises and example words.
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Are you struggling with the Finnish p and t sounds that don’t come with a puff of air like in English? You’re not alone.
In the blog chat, Melanie shared bravely that she’s having trouble with pronunciation and keeping her accent under control when speaking Finnish. I made this post with her in mind — and for anyone else who feels the same way.
In this post, you'll find a simple audio exercise to help you pronounce p and t the Finnish way — crisp, short, and without extra air.
Whether you’re just starting out or working to fine-tune your accent, this small practice can help you sound more natural and confident.
Listen, repeat, and feel the difference.
How to Pronounce Finnish P and T Without the English Puff of Air
Try standing in front of a mirror and saying the Finnish p and t sounds slowly.
Watch your mouth — and pay attention to the air. In Finnish, these sounds are made without a puff of air.
Try this: If you place your hand in front of your mouth and feel a little burst when you say p or t, that’s a sign the sound is too much like in English (where p sounds like “ph”). In Finnish, the sound is softer, shorter, and more controlled — no extra breath needed.
In English, “pen” is often pronounced with a little puff of air. In Finnish, the p sound is made without that — it's sharper and tighter. Listen and repeat.
English vs. Finnish: How "p" sounds different
English:
"pen" → [pʰ] with a little puff of air (aspirated)
Finnish:
"pen" → [p] no puff of air (unaspirated)
Now let’s practice the Finnish p sound.
Below you'll find a few common Finnish words that start with p. Listen carefully and repeat after the audio — focus on keeping the sound sharper and breath-free.
Next, let’s move on to the Finnish t sound.
Just like with p, the t in Finnish is pronounced without a puff of air. Listen to the words below and try to repeat them clearly and confidently.
Want more structure for your Finnish practice?
I’ve created a printable Finnish Language Learning Journal — calm, structured, and focused on what really matters. For those learning Finnish at their own quiet pace.
Now let’s try full sentences in Finnish
These short example phrases help you practice the p and t sounds in real context. Read them out loud — first slowly, then at a natural pace.
Pay attention to the clarity of each p and t sound, and try to avoid any extra breath.
Simple Finnish Pronunciation Practice: Mastering P and T Sounds
This was a small pronunciation exercise focused on the Finnish p and t sounds.
If you found it helpful, you can return to it anytime — or pass it on to someone else who’s learning Finnish.
Recently, I asked what kind of content you’d like more of. Many of you mentioned pronunciation and simple practice. That stayed with me.
I made this with that in mind — and I hope it was useful.
Feel free to leave a comment if there’s a particular sound, word, or pattern you’d like to work on next.
