Geometric shapes

Basic Geometric Shapes

Let's start with the most common two-dimensional shapes: ympyrä (circle), neliö (square), and kolmio (triangle).

Is the shape of the table a circle or a square?
Onko pöydän muoto ympyrä vai neliö?
The shape of the sun is a circle.
Auringon muoto on ympyrä.
The roof of the house is a large triangle.
Talon katto on iso kolmio.

Lines and Rectangles

To describe outlines and boundaries, use viiva (line).

Why did you draw a red line?
Miksi piirsit punaisen viivan?

A rectangle is suorakulmio. This compound word literally means "straight angle" (suora kulma).

The flag of Finland is a rectangle.
Suomen lippu on suorakulmio.
The window was not a rectangle, but a square.
Ikkuna ei ollut suorakulmio, vaan neliö.

3D Shapes and Properties

For three-dimensional space, a common form is the kuutio (cube).

The box is a green cube.
Laatikko on vihreä kuutio.

You might also need to ensure edges and lines are suora (straight).

This line is really straight.
Tämä viiva on tosi suora.

To describe physical dimensions, you will often measure leveys (width).

The width of the door was a problem.
Oven leveys oli ongelma.

Finally, the outside of any object is its pinta (surface). You can use this to talk about materials or textures.

The surface of the table is smooth.
Pöydän pinta on sileä.
Is this surface glass?
Onko tämä pinta lasia?