English borrows words from many languages, but Finnish has only contributed one: sauna. Saunas are common in Finland and offer therapeutic benefits. The Koi Sauna in Germany is the world’s largest, and other cultures have similar facilities like Turkish hammams and Japanese onsens.
Everyone knows that English has borrowed countless words from other languages. Words of Latin, French, Greek and German origin are particularly common, but you will also find many words from languages such as Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Italian and Spanish in the dictionary. Surprisingly though, Finnish, a language with around five million speakers, has donated just one word to everyday English: sauna. It’s a word that many people are familiar with, especially if you’ve tried one at the gym or spa. Saunas are incredibly common in Finland, as most homes contain a built-in sauna and nearly all Finns visit the sauna at least once a week. Essentially, a sauna is a small room or wood-paneled building that is equipped with a heater. Saunas are designed to experience dry heat, which makes people perspire. Bathers are able to tolerate temperatures up to 100°C (212°F) in saunas because humidity levels are kept low. Steam is generated by pouring water onto hot stones. So even if only one Finnish word has made its way into the English language, it’s sure to be memorable!
More information on saunas:
Many people enjoy saunas for their therapeutic benefits and as a method of relaxation. There are many purported health benefits, such as relieving asthma, improving heart health, boosting the immune system, and soothing some skin conditions.
Guinness World Records recognizes the Koi Sauna in Sinsheim, Germany as the largest sauna in the world. It holds over 150 people and features an aquarium full of exotic fish.
Many other cultures also have sweat bath facilities, such as the Turkish hammam, Japanese onsen, and ancient Roman baths.
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