What Does Sisu Mean in Finnish?
What Is Sisu?
Sisu is one of the most famous Finnish words and one of the hardest to translate.
At its simplest, sisu means determination. But that barely scratches the surface. In Finland, sisu describes a particular kind of stubborn resilience: the ability to keep going when things are cold, dark, uncomfortable, or objectively unreasonable.
It is grit without noise. Strength without drama. Endurance without applause.
If perkele is the exhale, sisu is the refusal to quit.
Where Does the Word Sisu Come From?
The word comes from the Finnish word sisus, meaning "interior" or "guts." Originally, it referred quite literally to something internal, your inner core.
Over time, that internal quality became psychological.
Sisu is not loud confidence. It is quiet backbone.
During wars, economic hardship, and long winters, Finns described survival not as heroism but as sisu. It became shorthand for national character: do what needs doing, even when it hurts.
How Finns Use Sisu Today
Finns don't usually announce their sisu. They demonstrate it.
- Running a marathon in sleet.
- Cycling to work in minus twenty.
- Sitting silently through adversity and getting on with it.
You won't hear it shouted like a slogan. It's more likely to be said after the fact: "That took sisu."
Outside Finland, the word has become popular in business and self-help culture. But in Finland, it is still practical, not motivational. It's not about conquering the world. It's about enduring it.
Even the Finnish language reflects this quality. The expression no niin — Finland's all-purpose phrase for "let's go," "it's done," or "here we go again" — carries the same understated resilience. Where sisu is the attitude, no niin is the punctuation.
Why Sisu Matters in Finnish Culture
Sisu connects to many parts of Finnish life:
- Sauna endurance
- Winter survival
- Long distance running
- Emotional restraint
- National independence
It explains why complaining is rare and persistence is normal.
Sisu is not optimism. It is continuation.
And while it can look stoic from the outside, it is deeply emotional at its core. It's about staying upright when giving up would be easier.
Sisu vs Perkele
If sisu is internal strength, perkele is the external release.
Sisu is silent.
Perkele is vocal.
Together, they form a rhythm of Finnish resilience: endure, then exhale.
You can read more about perkele meaning in Finnish here.
Wear Sisu With You
Sisu isn't just a concept. It's a reminder. Explore our Sisu shirts and Finnish gifts inspired by the word's meaning and cultural weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sisu mean in English?
Sisu roughly translates to determination, grit, or inner strength — but none fully capture its cultural meaning. It refers to quiet resilience and stubborn perseverance in the face of hardship.
Is sisu uniquely Finnish?
Yes. While other cultures value resilience, sisu is considered a defining Finnish trait and has no exact equivalent in English.
How do you pronounce sisu?
See-soo. The first syllable rhymes with "see."