Signification
To have time off work.
Contexte culturel
Finns take their summer holidays very seriously. Most people take 4 weeks off in July, and the country practically shuts down. It is considered a sign of a healthy workplace when employees are encouraged to 'pitää lomaa' fully without checking emails. When Finns 'pitää lomaa', they often head to a summer cottage (mökki) to chop wood, swim in the lake, and go to the sauna. In February, schools have a 'hiihtoloma' (skiing holiday). Many parents 'pitää lomaa' then to go skiing with their children.
The 'July' Rule
If you are working in Finland, try to 'pitää lomaa' in July. It's the best time to integrate into the culture and the weather is usually best.
Partitive vs Accusative
Use 'lomaa' (partitive) for the general concept of taking time off. Use 'loman' (accusative) if you are referring to a specific, fixed period of leave you've already earned.
Signification
To have time off work.
The 'July' Rule
If you are working in Finland, try to 'pitää lomaa' in July. It's the best time to integrate into the culture and the weather is usually best.
Partitive vs Accusative
Use 'lomaa' (partitive) for the general concept of taking time off. Use 'loman' (accusative) if you are referring to a specific, fixed period of leave you've already earned.
Don't apologize
In Finland, you don't need to apologize for 'pitämässä lomaa'. It's your right!
Teste-toi
Conjugate the verb 'pitää' correctly in the present tense.
Minä _________ lomaa heinäkuussa.
The first person singular of 'pitää' is 'pidän' due to consonant gradation (tt -> d).
Which sentence is the most natural for a work context?
How do you say 'I want to take a holiday'?
'Pitää lomaa' is the standard collocation for taking a holiday.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
Pomo: Milloin aiot pitää lomaa? Työntekijä: _________ lomaa ensi kuussa.
The present tense 'Pidän' is used here to indicate a future plan.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are writing an out-of-office email.
This is the standard way to state your return date in an auto-reply.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Pitää lomaa vs. Olla lomalla
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMinä _________ lomaa heinäkuussa.
The first person singular of 'pitää' is 'pidän' due to consonant gradation (tt -> d).
How do you say 'I want to take a holiday'?
'Pitää lomaa' is the standard collocation for taking a holiday.
Pomo: Milloin aiot pitää lomaa? Työntekijä: _________ lomaa ensi kuussa.
The present tense 'Pidän' is used here to indicate a future plan.
You are writing an out-of-office email.
This is the standard way to state your return date in an auto-reply.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is understood and sometimes used, but 'pitää lomaa' is more idiomatic and professional.
'Loma' is an official holiday (like vacation), while 'vapaa' is just 'free time' or a day off.
It is 'pidin' (I took), 'pidit' (you took), 'piti' (he/she took).
It is neutral. It works in both formal work emails and casual chats.
It's in the partitive case because the action of 'having vacation' is seen as an ongoing state or an unspecified amount of time.
Yes, students also 'pitävät lomaa' during summer and winter breaks.
'Lomailla' is the verb 'to vacation'. It's more about the act of being on holiday and enjoying it.
You can say: 'Haluaisin pitää lomaa ensi kuussa. Sopisiko se?'
You can say 'olla lomilla' or 'lomailla'.
No, 'pitää' can also mean 'to like' (pitää jostakin) or 'must' (täytyy/pitää tehdä). Context is key!
Expressions liées
lomailla
similarTo spend time on holiday
viettää lomaa
synonymTo spend a holiday
olla lomalla
similarTo be on holiday
jäädä lomalle
builds onTo start one's holiday
palkallinen loma
specialized formPaid vacation
