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peacemaker

@peoplelovepeace

i’m still not over the linguistic miracle that is the Finnish expression “noni” and its variations

  • NOni (emphasis on the first syllable): “well now you’ve done it, good job” meaning you’ve majorly fucked up
  • noNI (emphasis on the last syllable): “I TOLD YOU DIDN’T I” meaning I totally was right and this argument is over
  • noni (literally no emphasis): “Anyway” or “I need to rearrange my thoughts, give me a sec”
  • NOniin (emphasis on the first syllable): “i admit my defeat you were right” meaning it definitely answers the noni above
  • noNIIN (emphasis on the last syllable): “let’s get started” or “okay anyway let’s continue”
  • NONni (emphasis on the first syllable): “aw, that sucks”
  • nonNI (emphasis on the last syllable): “without further ado, let’s get started”, usually after a long wait before a lengthy speech/presentation
  • nonni (again no emphasis): “you’re such a disappointment”
  • nonnnnnni (the length of the -nn- defines the meaning): “that’s too bad” or “i told you so” or “why would you drop the family heirloom vase it was literally worth 500k euros”
  • No. Nii. (the pause between no and nii defines the meaning): “yea, just like I was saying” or “and that’s about all I know about this issue” or “okay you’re right” or “hold on i need a moment to figure what to say next”
  • noniii (the length of the -ii defines the meaning): “ah, it’s finally working” or “I’m not so sure about that one”, or “well I guess you’re right but consider the following:” or “ah, buckle your seat belts, the ride’s about to begin”
  • no NIIN (sometimes no is almost swallowed and it sounds like “nNNII”): “finally finished”, usually after a lengthy speech/presentation
  • no nii-IH (if you forget the singsong tone this won’t work): “that’s what i’ve literally been trying to say for the past three hours” or “i know right ugh”
  • no niiii-i (the last -i is really short and sort of fades into the void of eternity, probably the most passive-aggressive word in the entire Finnish language): “i fucking agree” or “yeah tell me about it” after a very negative discussion, in which you usually complain about someone or something
  • NONIH (only mothers know how to say this one): “do this or so god help me” or “it’s six am on a Saturday morning and you’re about to clean up the entire house and the neighbour’s house too”
  • NOHNI (everyone driving a car naturally aces this one): “fucking. drive. you. slow. ass. slug” or “it’s fucking green it’s been green for 84 years” or “please don’t fucking hit me please” or “how the hell did that one even get a licence”

the truly terrifying thing is that this made perfect sense to me.

I hope that someday you all become filled with so much happiness that it heals every part of you.