A1 Idiom Neutral

Olla valmis

Be ready

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'olla valmis' to say you are prepared for an action or that a task is finished.

  • Means: To be ready or to be finished with something.
  • Used in: Leaving the house, finishing homework, or serving food.
  • Don't confuse: 'Valmis' means both 'ready' and 'finished' depending on context.
Person + Checklist + Door = Olla valmis

Explanation at your level:

At A1, you use 'olla valmis' for simple daily things. You can say 'Minä olen valmis' when you want to leave. You can understand when someone says 'Ruoka on valmis' (Food is ready). It is a very basic and helpful phrase for beginners to communicate their status.
At A2, you start to use 'valmis' with other verbs. You can say 'Olen valmis syömään' (I am ready to eat). You also learn that 'valmis' changes to 'valmiit' if there are many people. You use it to talk about finishing simple tasks like homework or a short work task.
At B1, you use the phrase in more complex sentences and different tenses. You might say 'Olisinpa jo valmis' (I wish I were already finished). You understand the difference between 'valmis' (ready/done) and 'valmistautunut' (prepared). You can discuss project deadlines and readiness for travel in more detail.
At B2, you master the nuances of 'valmis' vs 'valmiina'. You use 'valmis' in professional contexts, such as 'Olemme valmiit aloittamaan neuvottelut' (We are ready to start negotiations). You can also use it figuratively to describe being ready for life changes or abstract concepts like 'valmis maailma' (a finished world).
At C1, you analyze the semantic breadth of 'valmis'. You recognize its use in literature and high-level journalism, where it might describe a nation's readiness for crisis (huoltovarmuus). You can use the phrase to express subtle shades of completion, such as distinguishing between a draft being 'valmis' and a final product being 'valmis'.
At C2, you have a near-native grasp of the cognitive linguistics behind 'valmis'. You understand how it functions as both a resultative state and a prospective potential. You can use it in philosophical discussions about whether anything is ever truly 'valmis' or in complex legal/technical jargon regarding 'valmiusaste' (degree of readiness).

Significado

Prepared for something.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'Sauna on valmis' announcement is a sacred moment in Finnish households. It means the wood-burning or electric stove has reached the optimal 70-90°C. In Finnish work culture, saying a project is 'valmis' implies it is 100% done. Finns tend to be literal; 'almost ready' means it is NOT ready. Finns have a strong connection to the forest. 'Valmis' is used to describe when blueberries (mustikat) or cloudberries (lakat) are ripe for picking. When a student graduates, they are 'valmistunut'. This comes from the same root as 'valmis', meaning they are now 'finished' with their studies and 'ready' for work.

💡

The 'Done' vs 'Ready' Rule

If you can replace 'ready' with 'finished' in English, 'valmis' is almost always the right word in Finnish.

⚠️

Plural Agreement

Don't forget: 'Me olemme valmiit'. Forgetting the 't' at the end is a classic beginner mistake.

Significado

Prepared for something.

💡

The 'Done' vs 'Ready' Rule

If you can replace 'ready' with 'finished' in English, 'valmis' is almost always the right word in Finnish.

⚠️

Plural Agreement

Don't forget: 'Me olemme valmiit'. Forgetting the 't' at the end is a classic beginner mistake.

🎯

Spoken Finnish

In Helsinki slang, people often just say 'Valmis!' as an exclamation when something is done, skipping the 'olla' verb entirely.

💬

Punctuality

If you say 'olen valmis' to a Finn, they expect you to be ready to move immediately. Don't say it if you still need to find your keys!

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the correct form of 'valmis'. Remember to match the plural!

Me olemme ______ lähtemään.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: valmiit

Since the subject 'me' (we) is plural, the adjective 'valmis' must be in the plural form 'valmiit'.

Which sentence means 'The food is ready'?

Choose the correct translation:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ruoka on valmis.

'Ruoka on valmis' is the standard way to say dinner is served. 'Loppu' would mean it's all gone!

Complete the dialogue.

A: Oletko valmis? B: En vielä, ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: odotatko hetken

If someone asks if you are ready and you say 'En vielä' (Not yet), a logical follow-up is 'odotatko hetken' (will you wait a moment).

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You just finished writing a long essay.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Sain sen valmiiksi!

'Sain sen valmiiksi' means 'I got it finished', which is perfect for completing a task like an essay.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Common Valmis Phrases

🏠

Home

  • • Sauna on valmis
  • • Ruoka on valmis
💼

Work

  • • Raportti on valmis
  • • Projekti on valmis
🙋

Self

  • • Olen valmis
  • • Olemme valmiit

Preguntas frecuentes

14 preguntas

No, 'valmis' only means ready or finished. For 'smart', use 'viisas' or 'fiksu'.

In this case, 'valmis' doesn't work well. Use 'Nyt riittää!' (Now it's enough!) or 'Mä en jaksa enää!' (I can't take it anymore!).

'Valmiina' is the essive case, meaning 'as ready'. It's used for a state of being prepared (e.g., 'seisoa valmiina' - to stand ready).

The opposite is 'kesken' (unfinished/in progress). For example: 'Työ on vielä kesken'.

No, 'valmis' implies completion of a process. A 'perfect' person would be 'täydellinen'.

Use the imperative 'Valmistaudu!' or 'Ole valmis!'.

Yes, 'valmisruoka' is the term for convenience or pre-packaged meals.

The adjective 'valmis' stays the same, but the verb 'olla' changes: 'En ole valmis'.

This sounds like a literal translation of 'I'm done with you'. It's better to say 'Olen saanut tarpeeksi sinusta'.

It means 'Emergency Powers Act' (literally 'Readiness Law'), used during national crises.

It is neutral. It's used in both slang and formal government reports.

Say 'Olen melkein valmis'.

Yes, 'valmisvaatteet' means 'ready-to-wear' or 'off-the-rack' clothes.

'Valmiit' is the nominative plural (the state of being ready), while 'valmiita' is partitive plural. Use 'valmiit' for 'we are ready'.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

Saada valmiiksi

builds on

To finish something

🔗

Valmistautua

similar

To prepare oneself

🔗

Valmiina

specialized form

In a state of readiness

🔗

Valmisruoka

specialized form

Ready-made meal

🔄

Kaikki valmiina

synonym

Everything ready

Dónde usarla

🎉

Leaving for a party

A: Oletko jo valmis? Taksi on täällä!

B: Olen valmis! Mennään.

informal
🍽️

At a restaurant

Tarjoilija: Oletteko valmiit tilaamaan?

Asiakas: Kyllä, olemme valmiita.

neutral
💻

Finishing a project

Pomo: Onko raportti jo valmis?

Työntekijä: Se on melkein valmis. Lähetän sen pian.

formal
🧖

Sauna readiness

Isä: Sauna on valmis!

Lapset: Jee, me tullaan!

informal
📚

Exam preparation

Opiskelija 1: Oletko valmis huomiseen tenttiin?

Opiskelija 2: En todellakaan. Minun täytyy vielä lukea.

neutral
🍕

Food delivery app

Sovellus: Tilauksesi on valmis noudettavaksi.

Käyttäjä: Hyvä, lähden nyt.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Valmis' as 'Volume is Finished'—when the volume of work is done, you are valmis.

Visual Association

Imagine a Finnish runner at the starting line of a race. They are 'valmis' (ready) to run, and once they cross the finish line, their race is 'valmis' (finished).

Rhyme

Olen valmis, mulla on malmis (I am ready, I have ore/wealth - a bit forced but works for the sound).

Story

You are in a Finnish kitchen. You prepare ingredients (valmistella). You cook the food. Finally, you ring a bell and shout 'Valmis!' because the food is both ready to eat and finished cooking.

Word Web

valmistautuavalmistellavalmiusvalmisruokasaada valmiiksitulla valmiiksivalmiina

Desafío

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Every time you finish a small task (sending an email, washing a dish), say out loud: 'Nyt se on valmis!'

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Estar listo

Finnish doesn't distinguish between 'ready' and 'smart' using the same word.

French high

Être prêt

French separates 'ready' (prêt) and 'finished' (fini) more strictly.

German high

Bereit sein / Fertig sein

German 'fertig' can also mean 'exhausted', just like Finnish 'loppu'.

Japanese moderate

準備ができている (Junbi ga dekite iru)

Japanese focuses on the state of 'preparation' (junbi) rather than the person being 'ready'.

Arabic high

مستعد (Musta'id)

Arabic uses 'khalas' as a very strong marker for 'finished' which is more common than 'valmis' in that sense.

Chinese high

准备好了 (Zhǔnbèi hǎole)

Chinese requires the 'le' particle to show the change of state.

Korean moderate

준비 됐다 (Junbi dwaetda)

Korean uses different levels of politeness (honorifics) which Finnish 'valmis' doesn't have.

Portuguese high

Estar pronto

Portuguese 'pronto' is more common as a filler word than Finnish 'valmis'.

Easily Confused

Olla valmis vs Olla loppu

Learners use 'loppu' to mean 'finished with a task'.

Use 'loppu' for things that are empty or people who are exhausted. Use 'valmis' for tasks that are done.

Olla valmis vs Olla valmistunut

Both relate to being 'ready'.

'Valmistunut' is specifically for graduating from school or a process of professional training.

Preguntas frecuentes (14)

No, 'valmis' only means ready or finished. For 'smart', use 'viisas' or 'fiksu'.

In this case, 'valmis' doesn't work well. Use 'Nyt riittää!' (Now it's enough!) or 'Mä en jaksa enää!' (I can't take it anymore!).

'Valmiina' is the essive case, meaning 'as ready'. It's used for a state of being prepared (e.g., 'seisoa valmiina' - to stand ready).

The opposite is 'kesken' (unfinished/in progress). For example: 'Työ on vielä kesken'.

No, 'valmis' implies completion of a process. A 'perfect' person would be 'täydellinen'.

Use the imperative 'Valmistaudu!' or 'Ole valmis!'.

Yes, 'valmisruoka' is the term for convenience or pre-packaged meals.

The adjective 'valmis' stays the same, but the verb 'olla' changes: 'En ole valmis'.

This sounds like a literal translation of 'I'm done with you'. It's better to say 'Olen saanut tarpeeksi sinusta'.

It means 'Emergency Powers Act' (literally 'Readiness Law'), used during national crises.

It is neutral. It's used in both slang and formal government reports.

Say 'Olen melkein valmis'.

Yes, 'valmisvaatteet' means 'ready-to-wear' or 'off-the-rack' clothes.

'Valmiit' is the nominative plural (the state of being ready), while 'valmiita' is partitive plural. Use 'valmiit' for 'we are ready'.

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