Significado
Something is not yet finished.
Contexto cultural
Finns value 'sisu' and finishing what they start. However, admitting something is 'kesken' is seen as a sign of honesty and reliability rather than laziness. In Finnish meetings, 'kesken' is a neutral status report. It doesn't carry the same pressure as 'behind schedule' might in some other cultures. There is a cultural trope of the 'ikuisuusprojekti' (eternity project), like a summer cottage that is always 'kesken.' It's a source of pride and constant activity. Interrupting someone who has something 'kesken' (like a meal or a conversation) is considered quite rude in Finland. You should wait for the state to change to 'valmis.'
Use 'vielä'
Adding 'vielä' (still) makes the phrase sound much more natural. 'Se on vielä kesken' is the gold standard.
Not for People
Don't say 'Olen kesken' to mean 'I'm not ready.' Say 'En ole vielä valmis.'
Significado
Something is not yet finished.
Use 'vielä'
Adding 'vielä' (still) makes the phrase sound much more natural. 'Se on vielä kesken' is the gold standard.
Not for People
Don't say 'Olen kesken' to mean 'I'm not ready.' Say 'En ole vielä valmis.'
The 'Jäädä' trick
Use 'jäi kesken' when you want to blame an external factor for not finishing something.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'olla kesken'.
Anteeksi, en voi tulla nyt. Minulla on siivous vielä _______.
'Kesken' is the correct adverb to describe an unfinished task like cleaning.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The book is unfinished'?
Miten sanot 'The book is unfinished'?
'Kirja on kesken' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Syödäänkö jo kakkua? B: Ei vielä, minulla on _______.
B is saying they are still eating their main course.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You were watching a movie but had to go to sleep. The movie is...
If you didn't finish the movie, it is 'kesken.'
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosAnteeksi, en voi tulla nyt. Minulla on siivous vielä _______.
'Kesken' is the correct adverb to describe an unfinished task like cleaning.
Miten sanot 'The book is unfinished'?
'Kirja on kesken' is the standard idiomatic expression.
A: Syödäänkö jo kakkua? B: Ei vielä, minulla on _______.
B is saying they are still eating their main course.
You were watching a movie but had to go to sleep. The movie is...
If you didn't finish the movie, it is 'kesken.'
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasGenerally no. It refers to tasks or objects. If you say a person is 'kesken,' it sounds like they are biologically or mentally incomplete.
'Kesken' is an adverb used with verbs (The work is unfinished). 'Keskeneräinen' is an adjective used to describe a noun (An unfinished work).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Minulla on elokuva kesken.
Yes, 'Matka on kesken' means the trip isn't over yet.
No, it is invariant. 'Tehtävä on kesken' and 'Tehtävät ovat kesken' both use the same form.
The opposite is 'valmis' (ready/finished) or 'tehty' (done).
Yes, but 'Minulla on syöminen kesken' is more common and natural.
Yes, but often replaced by 'vaiheessa' in very casual office slang.
It's an idiom meaning 'suddenly' or 'out of the blue' in the middle of an activity.
Frases relacionadas
jäädä kesken
similarTo be left unfinished (usually due to interruption).
olla vaiheessa
synonymTo be in progress (slang).
keskeneräinen
builds onUnfinished (adjective).
keskeyttää
specialized formTo interrupt.
