Polite requests, formal introductions, and courtesy phrases.
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Anteeksi, herra / rouva.
Excuse me, sir / ma'am. ('Herra' / 'rouva' are formal — rarely used in casual Finnish.)
Voitko antaa minulle vettä?
Can you pass me the water? ('Antaa' = to give. 'Vettä' = partitive (some water).)
Voitko antaa minulle suolan?
Can you pass me the salt? ('Suolan' = whole salt shaker (accusative); 'suolaa' would mean 'some salt'.)
Voisitko auttaa minua?
Would you mind helping me? ('Voisitko' (could you) is the polite go-to — no need for 'mind' verb.)
Saisinko lasin vettä?
I'd like a glass of water. (Literally 'could I get a glass of water' — 'saisin' = polite request form.)
Voisitko ottaa minusta kuvan?
Could you take a picture for me? (Literally 'could you take from-me a picture' — 'minusta' (-sta = from).)
Taidamme olla tapaamattomia. Olen…
I don't think we've met. My name is… ('Taitaa' = 'probably/seems' — softens claims. 'Tapaamaton' = un-met.)
Haluaisin esitellä sinulle kaverini.
I'd like to introduce you to a friend. ('Esitellä' from 'esi-' (fore-) — 'to put forward'. 'Kaverini' = my friend.)
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