Bedeutung
To have multiple options available.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Finnish work culture, 'varaa valita' is often discussed in the context of 'työvoimapula' (labor shortage). It represents a power shift toward the employee. The concept of 'valinnanvapaus' (freedom of choice) is a major political theme in Nordic healthcare and education systems. While having options is good, being 'liian ronkeli' (too picky) is sometimes frowned upon if you have 'varaa valita' for too long without deciding. With apps like Wolt or Tinder, Finns often use this phrase to describe the overwhelming number of choices in modern life.
Use with 'todellakin'
Adding 'todellakin' (really/indeed) makes you sound very natural. 'Hänellä on todellakin varaa valita.'
Don't forget the Adessive
Always use -lla/-llä for the person who has the choice. Never 'Minä on varaa...'
Bedeutung
To have multiple options available.
Use with 'todellakin'
Adding 'todellakin' (really/indeed) makes you sound very natural. 'Hänellä on todellakin varaa valita.'
Don't forget the Adessive
Always use -lla/-llä for the person who has the choice. Never 'Minä on varaa...'
The 'Modesty' Rule
If someone says this to you, a common modest response is 'No, oli siinä vähän tuuriakin' (Well, there was a bit of luck involved too).
Teste dich selbst
Täytä puuttuva sana oikeassa muodossa.
Hänellä on niin paljon työtarjouksia, että hänellä on ______ valita.
The idiom 'olla varaa valita' always uses the partitive form 'varaa'.
Mikä lause on luonnollisin?
Matti on huippu-urheilija ja monet seurat haluavat hänet.
The Adessive case 'Matilla' and the correct idiom 'varaa valita' make this the right choice.
Yhdistä tilanne ja oikea fraasi.
Tilanne: Ravintolassa on 50 eri annosta.
Abundance of options leads to 'varaa valita'.
Täydennä keskustelu.
A: 'Miksi et ole vielä päättänyt, minkä asunnon ostat?' B: 'Minulla on kolme hyvää vaihtoehtoa, joten...'
The speaker is explaining why they are taking their time—because they have the luxury of choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHänellä on niin paljon työtarjouksia, että hänellä on ______ valita.
The idiom 'olla varaa valita' always uses the partitive form 'varaa'.
Matti on huippu-urheilija ja monet seurat haluavat hänet.
The Adessive case 'Matilla' and the correct idiom 'varaa valita' make this the right choice.
Tilanne: Ravintolassa on 50 eri annosta.
Abundance of options leads to 'varaa valita'.
A: 'Miksi et ole vielä päättänyt, minkä asunnon ostat?' B: 'Minulla on kolme hyvää vaihtoehtoa, joten...'
The speaker is explaining why they are taking their time—because they have the luxury of choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo. While 'minulla on varaa' usually means 'I can afford it financially', in this specific phrase, it means you have the 'resource' of multiple options.
You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic. It's better for bigger life choices like jobs, houses, or partners.
Close! 'Valinnanvaraa' is a noun meaning 'room for choice'. 'Meillä on valinnanvaraa' is very similar to 'Meillä on varaa valita'.
It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper article or with your friends.
The opposite is 'ei ole varaa valita' (to have no choice but to take what's offered) or 'olla selkä seinää vasten' (to have one's back against the wall).
It's grammatically possible but sounds very stiff and unnatural. Stick to 'valita'.
This is the exact equivalent! You can also use 'runsaudenpula' if you want to emphasize that there's almost too much.
In this idiom, it is always the singular partitive 'varaa'. 'Varat' usually refers to financial assets or funds.
Yes: 'Minulla oli varaa valita.' (I had the luxury of choice.)
It can if you use it about yourself too much. It's safer to use it about others or general situations.
Verwandte Redewendungen
valinnanvara
similarThe amount of choice available.
runsaudenpula
specialized formThe paradox of choice; having too much.
olla mistä valita
synonymTo have plenty to choose from.
poimia kirsikat kakun päältä
similarTo cherry-pick.
