SISU - A Fabulous Thing & A Fabulous Word

I’m a massive lover of words. A good thing, seeing as I’m a writer. I stumbled across one recently that I find just sublime. Here it is;

SISU

It’s Finnish and a noun. It means, “extraordinary endurance in the face of adversity * persistence, determination, guts * full of courage, tenacity, resolve, willpower, and an indomitable spirit.”

I know, WOW. I first saw it when my Finnish Aunt Annie (hi Annie! Love you!) posted it on Facebook.

I don’t think there is an equivalent word in English, do you? There’s grit, resolve, tenacity, but somehow these don’t stretch quite as far as SISU.

I don’t aim in life to have perfect hair (lost cause - seriously - dire hair situation over here at the moment) or the right shoes (never have, never will, except Birks of course). However, from my discovery of SISU onwards to eternity I aim to have lots of that.

A few of my friends have Finnish roots or Finnish family and they tell me that the Finnish people are the living definition of SISU.

I know for me, tenacity has been the main reason why have managed to finish many things in life - my law degree at Oxford, my citizenship application for France (nightmare), and every single thing I have ever written.

SISU is worth being cultivated and put to use, so let’s get out there and SISU hard.

Join Laura's Grapevine

Sign up to receive my twice monthly newsletter including french recipes, sneak peeks at my writing, as well as special contests and giveaways. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Email Address













Sign Up

I hate spam as much as you do

Thank you!

Love words? Check out my bestselling Grape Series here.