Monday, November 13, 2017

The difference between 'eri', 'ero' and 'erilainen'

What is the difference between eri and erilainen?


Eri is something that is a completely different thing, object or matter.  The word eri doesn't get any endings.


  • Tämä on ihan eri asia! - This is a totally different thing! (You cannot even compare them.)
  • Tämä on eri kirja. - This is a different book. (You should get another one.)
  • Hän soitti eri paikasta kuin aikaisemmin. - He called from different place than before. (Not just different in style, but completely a different location.)

Erilainen is different kind and behaves like any adjective:


  • Tämä kirja on vähän erilainen. - This book is a little bit different.
  • Tästä päivästä tuli erilainen kuin kuvittelin. - This day became different than I imagined. 
  • Kokeillaan jotain erilaista!  - Let's try somehing different!
  • Sinä tuoksut erilaiselta kuin yleensä. - You smell different than usually.

Ero is a difference or a divorce.


  • Mitä eroa näillä on? - What's the difference between these?
  • Mitä eroa on sanoilla eri ja erilainen? - What's the difference between the words eri and erilainen?
  • Ensin tuli vauva, sitten ero. - First came a baby, then a divorce. 





Related posts and a song for you to listen to:


About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 


My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Please read more in www.linktr.ee/hannamannikkolahti and follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new. 

1 comment:

Ruben said...

Very useful post. All three words look so similar yet they have subtle differences in the meaning as well. I've bookmarked this because I'm sure I'll need to check a few times in the near future while I keep learning :)