Learn Finnish. Pass the YKI exam.
finnly is the smartest way to learn Finnish for everyday life or the official YKI test — vocabulary, listening, writing and speaking practice, all explained in the language you already know.
- Built around the real YKI exam
- Examiner-style writing & speaking feedback
- 2,600+ core words with native audio
- A personal plan to reach B1
Most apps weren't built for the test you have to pass
Learning Finnish for life in Finland is different from collecting streaks. finnly is built for the outcome that matters: real Finnish, and a passing YKI certificate.
Generic apps teach cartoons and owls — not the Finnish on the YKI exam.
Every exercise mirrors a real YKI task type, so practice counts toward the test you actually have to pass.
Lessons are stuck in English (or only in Finnish), so the grammar never clicks.
finnly explains words, grammar and instructions in English, Russian or Arabic — the language you already think in.
You can tap through a whole course and still freeze when you have to write or speak.
Your writing and speaking get examiner-style feedback, so you know exactly what to fix before exam day.
You memorise random words you will never use in Finland.
You learn the 2,600 highest-frequency words — with native audio — that actually show up in daily life and on the test.
Everything the YKI exam tests — and everything Finland asks of you
Reading, listening, writing and speaking are graded on the real test. finnly trains all of them in one place, with feedback that tells you what to fix.
Build the words that actually appear on the YKI exam
Master 2,600+ high-frequency Finnish words with native audio, real example sentences and smart spaced repetition that brings back what you are about to forget.
- Native pronunciation on every word
- Meanings explained in your language
- Spaced-repetition review built in
Train your ear with real YKI-style audio
Listen to announcements, conversations and everyday situations, then answer comprehension questions — exactly like the listening section of the YKI test.
- Authentic, exam-style recordings
- Replay as many times as you need
- Instant answer checking
Get examiner-style feedback on every message you write
Practice real writing tasks with clear requirements, then receive detailed feedback on grammar, vocabulary and whether you met the goal — so you improve before exam day.
- Tasks for every CEFR level
- Word-count and requirement tracking
- Hints when you get stuck
Speak with confidence using guided prompts
Describe, explain and tell stories out loud with useful phrases to lean on. Your recording is sent for grading so you know exactly where to improve.
- Real YKI speaking scenarios
- Useful phrases to get you started
- Feedback on fluency and accuracy
Finnish is hard enough. Your textbook shouldn't be too.
Every word, example and grammar note in finnly is translated into the language you already know — so the meaning clicks the first time, instead of guessing from a Finnish-only definition.
- 🇬🇧 EnglishI want to learn Finnish.
- 🇷🇺 РусскийЯ хочу учить финский.
- 🇸🇦 العربيةأريد أن أتعلم اللغة الفنلندية.
Available in English, Russian and Arabic — the three languages most Finnish learners already speak.
The clearest path to passing your YKI test
The YKI (Yleinen kielitutkinto) intermediate exam at level B1 is the language proof you need for citizenship. finnly is designed around it from the first lesson to exam day.
- 1
Citizenship & residence
A YKI certificate at level B1 is required for Finnish citizenship and supports permanent residence applications.
- 2
Mapped to the test
Every exercise mirrors the structure of the National Certificate exam — speaking, writing, listening and reading.
- 3
Examiner-style grading
Get feedback in the same style examiners use, so there are no surprises when you sit the real test.
- 4
A clear path to B1
Follow a personalised plan and stay on track to reach the level you need in a realistic timeframe.
Find your level, then follow a plan that gets you to B1
A quick placement check finds where you are on the A1–C1 scale. From there, finnly builds a daily study plan and shows you a realistic path to B1 — around three months of steady daily practice.
Your plan includes
- 2,600+ core words with native audio
- 1,900+ reading & grammar questions
- 100+ listening exercises
- Writing & speaking with examiner-style feedback
The fast, affordable way to actually pass
| finnly | Generic apps | Language class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built around the real YKI exam | |||
| Explained in English, Russian & Arabic | |||
| Examiner-style writing & speaking feedback | |||
| Native audio on every word | |||
| Personal plan to your target level | |||
| Learn anytime, at your own pace | |||
| Costs a fraction of a course |
Comparison reflects typical Finnish-learning options. “Generic apps” = popular gamified language apps; “Language class” = a weekly in-person course.
From your first word to a passing certificate
- 01
Take a quick level check
Answer a few questions about vocabulary, reading and grammar so we know exactly where you stand on the CEFR scale.
- 02
Get your personal study plan
finnly builds a daily plan across vocabulary, listening, writing and speaking — tuned to your target level.
- 03
Practice a little every day
Short, focused sessions with native audio and instant feedback keep you progressing without burning out.
- 04
Walk into the YKI exam ready
By exam day you have practiced every section dozens of times and know exactly what to expect.
Made for people building a life in Finland
Citizenship applicants
You need a YKI certificate at B1 for Finnish citizenship. finnly takes you there with practice built around the exact exam.
Workers & professionals
Get the practical Finnish you need for the workplace, appointments and everyday admin — without grinding through irrelevant lessons.
Students & newcomers
Arrived recently? Start from a quick placement check and follow a clear path from your first words to confident conversation.
Everyday life in Finland
Understand the announcements, forms and small talk around you, and finally reply in Finnish instead of switching to English.
Questions about Finnish & the YKI exam
What is the YKI exam?
The YKI (Yleinen kielitutkinto) is the National Certificate of Language Proficiency in Finland. The intermediate-level exam at B1 is the language proof required for Finnish citizenship, and it tests speaking, writing, listening and reading.
Can finnly really help me pass the YKI test?
Yes. Every part of finnly is built around the structure of the YKI exam. You practice the same task types — listening comprehension, written messages, and spoken descriptions — and receive examiner-style feedback so you know exactly what to improve before exam day.
Which languages can I study in?
You can learn Finnish with explanations, translations and instructions in English, Russian or Arabic, so you understand the grammar and vocabulary clearly while you study.
Do I need to know my level before I start?
No. A quick placement check measures your vocabulary, reading and grammar and places you on the A1–C1 scale. finnly then builds a personalised plan from there.
How long does it take to reach B1?
It depends on your starting point and how often you practise. B1 is the level the YKI citizenship exam requires; finnly places you on the A1–C1 scale and builds a personalised plan to get there — with steady daily practice, it projects reaching B1 in around three months.
How is finnly different from Duolingo and other apps?
Generic apps are gamified courses that are not built for the YKI exam and only teach in English or Finnish. finnly is built specifically around the YKI test, explains everything in English, Russian or Arabic, and gives examiner-style feedback on your writing and speaking — the skills the exam actually grades.
Does finnly help with the YKI speaking and writing sections?
Yes. You practice real YKI-style speaking prompts and writing tasks, then get detailed feedback on grammar, vocabulary and whether you met the task — the same things a real examiner checks.
Speak Finnish. Pass the YKI. Make Finland home.
finnly is launching soon on iOS and Android. Be ready to start the day it drops.