olla

to be

🗣 ol-la

📝 The most important verb in Finnish. Irregular conjugation.

Word Forms & Endings

Form Meaning Grammar
olla to be (base form)
olen I am 1st person singular
olet you are 2nd person singular
on he/she/it is 3rd person singular
olemme we are 1st person plural
olette you are (plural) 2nd person plural
ovat they are 3rd person plural
ei ole is not negative

Example Phrases

Hän on suomalainen.

He/she is Finnish.

Minä olen opettaja.

I am a teacher.

Missä olet?

Where are you?

Onko sinulla nälkä?

Are you hungry?