selvitys in 30 Sekunden
- A formal report or clarification used to make facts clear in professional or official situations.
- Derived from 'selvä' (clear), it implies an active process of sorting out information.
- Commonly used in Finnish bureaucracy, such as tax reports (veroselvitys) or police investigations.
- Different from 'selitys' (excuse), as it focuses on objective facts rather than personal reasons.
The Finnish word selvitys is a multifaceted noun that English speakers often translate as 'report', 'clarification', 'explanation', or 'investigation'. At its core, it is derived from the adjective selvä (clear) and the verb selvittää (to clarify, to sort out). In the Finnish mindset, a selvitys is the act of taking something that is currently messy, opaque, or misunderstood and making it visible and understandable. It is used extensively in professional, legal, and academic contexts, but it also finds its way into everyday interpersonal communication when a situation requires a detailed account of facts.
- Administrative Context
- In Finnish bureaucracy, a selvitys is a formal document. For example, the tax office might ask for a veroselvitys (tax clarification) if your income and deductions don't seem to match. This isn't necessarily an accusation of wrongdoing; it is a request for the facts to be laid out clearly.
- Scientific and Research Context
- When researchers conduct a preliminary study or a mapping of a current situation, they produce a selvitys. It is less exhaustive than a full tutkimus (research study) but more analytical than a simple raportti (report).
- Interpersonal Context
- If two friends have a misunderstanding, one might say, 'Haluan selvityksen tästä tilanteesta' (I want a clarification of this situation). Here, it implies a need for an honest account of what happened and why.
Hallitus antoi eduskunnalle selvityksen taloustilanteesta.
— The government gave the parliament a report on the economic situation.
Understanding the nuance of selvitys requires recognizing that it is often the result of an active process of 'sorting out'. If you have a tangled ball of yarn, the process of untangling it is selvittäminen, and the final state of the yarn being neat—along with the description of how you did it—is the selvitys. This is why it is used for environmental impact assessments (ympäristövaikutusten selvitys) or technical troubleshooting. It is a word that demands logic and clarity.
Tarvitsemme kirjallisen selvityksen vahingon syistä.
— We need a written clarification on the causes of the damage.
In business, a markkinaselvitys is a market study. It suggests a process of looking into the market to clarify what is happening there. Unlike the English word 'report', which can sometimes be a passive collection of data, a selvitys implies that someone has actively analyzed the situation to provide a clear picture. If a company is in selvitystila, it means it is in liquidation—its affairs are being 'sorted out' and clarified before the company is closed.
Poliisi tekee selvitystä tapahtumien kulusta.
— The police are conducting an investigation into the course of events.
- Legal Weight
- When a court asks for a selvitys, they aren't just looking for a story; they are looking for documented evidence and a logical sequence of facts that clarify a legal point.
Using selvitys correctly involves understanding Finnish case endings and the verbs that typically accompany it. Because it is a noun, it follows the standard declension patterns for words ending in -ys. The stem changes to selvitykse- when adding suffixes. For example, the genitive is selvityksen and the partitive is selvitystä. Mastering these changes is essential for B1 learners to sound natural.
- Verb Pairings: Tehdä vs. Antaa
- The most common verb used with selvitys is tehdä (to make/do). 'Tehdä selvitys' means to conduct an investigation or write a report. Another common verb is antaa (to give/provide), as in 'antaa selvitys', which means to submit or present the clarification to someone else.
Olen jo tehnyt selvityksen kuluista.
— I have already made a report on the expenses.
When you want to specify what the report is about, you use the elative case (-sta/-stä). For instance, 'selvitys onnettomuudesta' (a report about the accident). This is a very productive pattern in Finnish. If you are providing the report to someone, that person or entity takes the allative case (-lle), such as 'selvitys pomolle' (a report to the boss).
Voitko antaa selvityksen tästä laskusta?
— Can you provide a clarification for this invoice?
In more complex sentences, selvitys often acts as the subject or the object of a process. It can be modified by adjectives to describe the nature of the report. Common adjectives include kirjallinen (written), suullinen (oral), kattava (comprehensive), and puutteellinen (incomplete). A 'kattava selvitys' is something every project manager hopes to produce.
Emme saaneet selvitystä ajoissa.
— We did not receive the clarification in time.
- Compound Words
- Finnish loves compound words. You will frequently see selvitys attached to other nouns: tiliselvitys (account statement/settlement), taustaselvitys (background check/report), and olosuhdeselvitys (report on conditions).
Finally, consider the register. In a casual setting, you might just say 'selitä' (explain), but if you are in a meeting and say 'tarvitsen selvityksen', you are signaling a higher level of formality and a request for a structured, factual response rather than just a quick chat.
If you live in Finland, you will encounter the word selvitys in almost every facet of official life. It is the bread and butter of Finnish administration. When the evening news (Uutiset) discusses a new government policy, they will often mention that a selvitys has been commissioned to look into the potential effects of that policy. It is the standard way for Finnish society to approach problem-solving: first, you 'selvittää' the facts, then you produce a 'selvitys', and then you make a decision.
- The Tax Office (Vero)
- This is perhaps where foreigners in Finland hear the word most often. If you apply for a tax deduction for a home office, Vero might send you a 'selvityspyyntö' (request for clarification). They want you to provide a selvitys of how many days you worked from home and the size of your workspace.
- Workplace and HR
- In a Finnish workplace, if there is a conflict or a failure in a project, HR or a manager might ask for a 'kirjallinen selvitys'. This is a formal step in Finnish labor law and practice to ensure that all parties' versions of events are recorded fairly.
Lääkäri kirjoitti selvityksen potilaan kunnosta vakuutusyhtiölle.
— The doctor wrote a report on the patient's condition for the insurance company.
You will also hear it in environmental contexts. Finland is known for its strict environmental regulations. Before any large construction project begins, a luontoselvitys (nature survey/report) must be conducted to ensure that endangered species or sensitive ecosystems are not harmed. In this context, the word carries the weight of scientific authority and legal necessity.
Lehdessä oli pitkä selvitys kaupungin budjetista.
— The newspaper had a long report on the city's budget.
In the legal system, esitutkintaselvitys refers to the preliminary investigation report made by the police. When you hear this on the news, it means the police have finished gathering the facts and are handing the case over to a prosecutor. The word selvitys here signifies the transition from confusion/mystery to a clear set of facts ready for judgment.
- Daily Life
- Even in apartment building (taloyhtiö) meetings, you will hear about kunnossapitotarveselvitys. This is a 5-year plan clarifying what repairs the building will need. It is a word that helps Finns feel organized and prepared for the future.
For learners of Finnish, the most frequent mistake with selvitys is confusing it with its close relative selitys. While they share the same root, their meanings and connotations are significantly different. Using the wrong one can change the tone of your sentence from professional to defensive.
- Selvitys vs. Selitys
- Selvitys is a formal report, an investigation, or a factual clarification. It is objective.
Selitys is a general explanation or, quite often, an excuse. If you are late for work and tell your boss why, that is a selitys. If your boss asks you to write a formal document about why the project failed, that is a selvitys.
Älä selitä! (Don't make excuses!) vs. Tee selvitys. (Make a report.)
Another common error is related to the case system. Many learners struggle with the stem change from -ys to -ykse-. You might be tempted to say 'selvitysen' (incorrect) instead of 'selvityksen' (correct). This s to ks transformation is a hallmark of this noun class and must be memorized. Similarly, the partitive is selvitystä, not 'selvitysa'.
Learners also often overuse the English-influenced 'raportti'. While 'raportti' is perfectly valid Finnish, it sounds more like a direct loan. In many contexts, such as a police investigation or a tax query, selvitys is the more natural and 'Finnish' choice. Using selvitys shows a deeper command of the language's nuances.
Huono: Tein raportin kuluista.
Parempi: Tein selvityksen kuluista.
Finally, be careful with the verb selvittää vs. selvitä. Selvittää (to clarify/solve) is what leads to a selvitys. Selvitä (to survive/get through/sober up) is an intransitive verb. If you say 'Selvisin raportista', it means you survived the report, not that you clarified it!
Finnish has a rich vocabulary for expressing the idea of 'making things clear'. Depending on the context—whether it's academic, legal, or casual—you might choose a word other than selvitys. Understanding these alternatives will help you reach C1/C2 levels of proficiency.
- Raportti
- This is the most direct equivalent to 'report'. It is used for status updates, school assignments, and business reports. It is more about documenting what happened rather than 'clarifying' a complex issue.
- Selostus
- This means an 'account' or 'narration'. It is used in sports (commentary) or when you are describing a sequence of events. It is more descriptive and less analytical than selvitys.
- Tutkimus
- This means 'research' or 'study'. A tutkimus is deeper, uses more rigorous methods, and is usually academic or scientific. A selvitys might be a part of a tutkimus.
Lue tämä selostus ottelusta. (Read this account of the match.)
If you are looking for a word that means 'clarification' in a more abstract sense, you might use täsmennys (specification) or valaistus (enlightenment/shedding light). Täsmennys is used when you need to make a general statement more precise. For example, 'Saisinko täsmennyksen tähän kohtaan?' (Could I get a specification/clarification on this point?).
In legal contexts, you might encounter lausunto, which is a formal 'statement' or 'opinion' given by an expert. While a selvitys provides the facts, a lausunto provides the expert's interpretation of those facts. For example, a doctor provides a selvitys of the injuries and a lausunto on whether the patient can work.
Pyysimme asiantuntijalta lausunnon asiasta.
— We asked an expert for a statement on the matter.
Lastly, for very informal clarifications, Finns use selitystä (as mentioned before) or even just the verb avata (to open/unpack). 'Voitko avata tätä vähän?' (Can you unpack/explain this a bit?). This is very common in modern office slang.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'y' as 'i' (selvitis).
- Stress on the second syllable.
- Confusing with 'selitys'.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Tämä on selvitys.
This is a report.
Basic nominative case.
Tarvitsen selvityksen.
I need a clarification.
Accusative case (genitive form) because the action is completed/definite.
Onko tämä selvä?
Is this clear?
Root adjective 'selvä'.
Lue selvitys.
Read the report.
Imperative verb + accusative object.
Tässä on lyhyt selvitys.
Here is a short report.
Adjective 'lyhyt' (short) matches the noun.
Minulla on selvitys.
I have a report.
Possessive structure 'minulla on'.
Katso tätä selvitystä.
Look at this report.
Partitive case used with the verb 'katsoa'.
Selvitys on valmis.
The report is ready.
Subject + predicate adjective.
Kela pyytää selvitystä.
Kela is asking for a clarification.
Partitive case with the verb 'pyytää'.
Tein selvityksen eilen.
I made the report yesterday.
Past tense 'tein' + genitive object.
Tämä selvitys on tärkeä.
This report is important.
Demonstrative 'tämä' matches the noun.
Voitko antaa selvityksen?
Can you give a clarification?
Polite question using 'voitko'.
Lääkäri antoi selvityksen.
The doctor gave a report.
Subject-verb-object structure.
En ymmärrä tätä selvitystä.
I don't understand this report.
Negative sentence + partitive object.
Selvitys on pitkä.
The report is long.
Simple adjective description.
Lähetän selvityksen sähköpostilla.
I will send the report by email.
Future intent + adessive case for 'sähköpostilla'.
Tarvitsemme kirjallisen selvityksen tapahtumista.
We need a written clarification of the events.
Genitive case for 'tapahtumista' (elative plural).
Hän antoi kattavan selvityksen kuluista.
He gave a comprehensive report on the expenses.
Adjective 'kattava' (comprehensive).
Poliisi tekee selvitystä onnettomuudesta.
The police are conducting an investigation into the accident.
Ongoing action uses the partitive 'selvitystä'.
Selvitys valmistuu ensi viikolla.
The report will be finished next week.
Intransitive verb 'valmistua'.
Oletko lukenut tämän selvityksen?
Have you read this report?
Perfect tense question.
Selvityksestä puuttui tärkeitä tietoja.
The report was missing important information.
Elative case 'selvityksestä' used with the verb 'puuttua'.
Haluamme selvityksen syistä.
We want a clarification of the reasons.
Elative plural 'syistä'.
Tämä on virallinen selvitys.
This is an official report.
Adjective 'virallinen' (official).
Hallitus tilasi selvityksen verotuksen vaikutuksista.
The government ordered a report on the effects of taxation.
Compound-like structure 'verotuksen vaikutuksista'.
Selvityksen mukaan hanke on kannattava.
According to the report, the project is profitable.
Postposition 'mukaan' requires the genitive 'selvityksen'.
Yritys joutui selvitystilaan.
The company went into liquidation.
Compound word 'selvitystila'.
Pyydämme teiltä selvitystä viivästyksestä.
We request a clarification from you regarding the delay.
Ablative 'teiltä' (from you) + partitive 'selvitystä'.
Selvityksessä tarkastellaan eri vaihtoehtoja.
The report examines different alternatives.
Inessive case 'selvityksessä' (in the report).
Onko selvitys jo toimitettu hallitukselle?
Has the report already been delivered to the board?
Passive voice + allative 'hallitukselle'.
Selvityksen laatiminen vei kaksi kuukautta.
Preparing the report took two months.
Verbal noun 'laatiminen' (preparing).
Tarvitsemme riippumattoman selvityksen.
We need an independent investigation.
Adjective 'riippumaton' (independent).
Ympäristövaikutusten selvitys on pakollinen tässä vaiheessa.
An environmental impact assessment is mandatory at this stage.
Complex compound subject.
Selvityksessä korostui tarve lisäresursseille.
The report highlighted the need for additional resources.
Reflexive-like verb 'korostua'.
Asiantuntijaselvitys vahvisti aiemmat epäilyt.
The expert report confirmed previous suspicions.
Compound 'asiantuntijaselvitys'.
Selvitys on luettavissa viraston verkkosivuilla.
The report can be read on the agency's website.
Passive present participle in the inessive '-ssa'.
Tehty selvitys on herättänyt paljon keskustelua.
The conducted investigation has sparked much debate.
Past participle 'tehty' as an adjective.
Selvityksen perusteella päätettiin jatkaa projektia.
Based on the report, it was decided to continue the project.
Compound postposition 'perusteella'.
Talousselvitys osoitti budjetin ylittyneen.
The financial report showed that the budget had been exceeded.
Participle construction 'ylittyneen'.
Selvityksessä ilmeni vakavia puutteita turvallisuudessa.
Serious deficiencies in safety emerged in the investigation.
Verb 'ilmetä' (to emerge/appear).
Selvitysmenettely on aloitettu velkojen järjestelemiseksi.
A clarification procedure has been initiated to restructure the debts.
Complex legal term 'selvitysmenettely'.
Kyseessä on varsin seikkaperäinen selvitys historiasta.
This is a rather detailed account of history.
Adjective 'seikkaperäinen' (detailed/exhaustive).
Selvityksen johtopäätökset ovat herättäneet kritiikkiä.
The conclusions of the report have drawn criticism.
Plural noun 'johtopäätökset' (conclusions).
On laadittava puolueeton selvitys tapahtumien kulusta.
An impartial report on the course of events must be prepared.
Necessive structure 'on laadittava'.
Selvityksessä pureudutaan ongelman juurisyihin.
The report delves into the root causes of the problem.
Idiomatic verb 'pureutua' (to delve/bite into).
Selvitys kumoaa aiemmat väitteet täysin.
The report completely refutes previous claims.
Strong verb 'kumota' (to refute/overturn).
Odotamme valtioneuvoston selvitystä asiasta.
We are awaiting the government's report on the matter.
Formal term 'valtioneuvosto'.
Selvityksen laajuus yllätti kaikki osapuolet.
The scope of the report surprised all parties.
Noun 'laajuus' (extent/scope).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— To officially ask for a report or clarification.
Pomo pyysi selvitystä myöhästymisestä.
— To be in the process of liquidation (for a company).
Yritys on nyt selvitystilassa.
— To perform a background check.
Teimme taustaselvityksen uudesta työntekijästä.
— To receive a written clarification.
Saimme kirjallisen selvityksen vuokranantajalta.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To finish something off completely or make a mess of something (related root).
Hän teki selvää jälkeä lounaasta.
Informal— To be out of trouble/to have things clear (related root).
Nyt olemme selvillä vesillä.
Neutral— To settle accounts (similar to 'tiliselvitys').
On aika tehdä tiliä menneisyydestä.
Literary— To speak one's mind clearly (related to clarity).
Hän puhui suunsa puhtaaksi selvityksessä.
Informal— To explain something very simply (as if to a child).
Tämä selvitys pitää vääntää rautalangasta.
Informal— To reach a conclusion or understanding.
Pääsimme selvyyteen syyllisestä.
NeutralSummary
The word 'selvitys' is your best friend when you need to provide or receive a factual, objective report. Example: 'Tein selvityksen kuluista' (I made a report on the expenses). Always use it for formal clarifications.
- A formal report or clarification used to make facts clear in professional or official situations.
- Derived from 'selvä' (clear), it implies an active process of sorting out information.
- Commonly used in Finnish bureaucracy, such as tax reports (veroselvitys) or police investigations.
- Different from 'selitys' (excuse), as it focuses on objective facts rather than personal reasons.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr academic Wörter
aihe
B1A subject, topic, or theme
aiheellinen
B1Ihre Sorge ist durchaus berechtigt (aiheellinen).
aihepiiri
B2Topic area, subject field, or domain.
aikaansaada
B1to bring about or cause
ajatus
B1thought
arvio
B2Eine Schätzung oder Bewertung, die auf Informationen oder Fachwissen basiert.
arvioida
B1to evaluate, assess, or estimate
arvioija
B2assessor or evaluator
arviointi
B2Evaluation, assessment or appraisal.
arvostella
B2To criticize, review or assess.
