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Pronouncing Finnish with a smile: The sivistys video edition

Civilised behaviour – we’d probably all like to see more of it these days. A great Finnish word, sivistys, covers the idea – but how do you say that? With a smile! Watch our video.

Saying sivistys out loud is bound to put a smile on your face. Check out our pronunciation video (below).

Still photos from ThisisFINLAND’s video

Like sisu, that famous Finnish combination of courage and perseverance, sivistys is difficult to translate in just one word.

The Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation (known as the KVS Foundation, based on its Finnish name) is willing to make an attempt. It even designated 2024 the Year of Sivistys.

Sivistys: A Finnish word meaning “enlightenment.” Or: “Civilised behaviour contributing to environmental, communal and societal wellbeing and development.”

The foundation points out that sivistys is not a measurement of training or education. Sivistys is there for everyone and anyone. Now try pronouncing it – we think you’ll like the sound of it.

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How do you pronounce sivistys?Video: ThisisFINLAND

By Peter Marten, November 2024

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