Sauna: A Word with Fire in Its Roots
The word sauna is short, simple, and universal. Yet, behind those five letters lies a rich history and a surprising amount of debate — especially about how to pronounce it.
Let’s explore the etymology of sauna, its journey from ancient Finland to modern America, and why its pronunciation has become a cultural talking point.
The Origins of the Word Sauna
The word sauna comes from Finnish, where it simply means “bath” or “bathhouse.”
The first recorded use of the word in Finland dates back over 2,000 years, when early saunas were dug into the ground as pits lined with stone.
The Finnish language, part of the Finno-Ugric family, is unique in Europe. Words like sauna reflect Finland’s deep connection to nature, ritual, and warmth.
Sauna has since been borrowed by dozens of languages, but few have preserved the cultural weight the word carries in its native form — a place not just for heat, but for purification, healing, and community.
Traditional vs. American Pronunciation
In Finnish, the word sauna is pronounced [ˈsɑu̯.nɑ], which sounds like:
“SOW-na” (rhyming with “cow” + “na”).
The “au” is a diphthong, pronounced like “ow” in “cow.”
Both syllables are equally stressed and cleanly enunciated.
In American English, it’s often pronounced:
“SAH-na” (rhyming with “piranha”).
The “au” is flattened to “ah,” and the “u” is essentially dropped.
This Americanized version has become standard, even though it differs from the original.
Neither is “wrong,” but for Finns, hearing SAH-na can feel like hearing a song sung off-key. It’s a reminder that sauna is as much a cultural import as it is a word.
A Word That Travels Well
Few Finnish words have made as big an impact worldwide as sauna.
In countries like Germany, Japan, and Canada, the Finnish pronunciation is often preserved (SOW-na).
In the U.S., the SAH-na version dominates, likely due to ease of speech and early misinterpretations of the written word.
Whether you say SOW-na or SAH-na, the important part is understanding what it means: a sanctuary of heat, water, and rest.
Why Tova Honors Sauna’s Roots
At Tova, we aim to preserve authentic sauna culture, from the fire in our stoves to the language that defines the experience. We may not correct you if you say “SAH-na,” but know that every time we build a stove, we’re building a piece of the SOW-na tradition — with real heat and real history.
Did you know?
The Finnish verb saunoa means “to go to the sauna,” and there’s even a word löyly, describing the life-giving steam when water hits the hot stones. (Yes, that word has its own story — but we’ll save it for another post.)