Signification
To make mistakes.
Contexte culturel
The 'National Day for Failure' (Epäonnistumisen päivä) is a real event celebrated on October 13th to encourage risk-taking and learning from 'virheitä'. Directness is valued. If you make a mistake, it is better to say 'Tein virheen' immediately than to hide it. This builds trust. Finnish schools emphasize that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, reducing the stigma of 'tehdä virheitä'. Finns are generally forgiving of language learners making mistakes, as long as the communication is clear.
The 'One vs Many' Rule
Always use 'virheen' for one specific mistake you just made, and 'virheitä' for the general concept.
Don't 'Take' Mistakes
Never say 'ottaa virhe'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Signification
To make mistakes.
The 'One vs Many' Rule
Always use 'virheen' for one specific mistake you just made, and 'virheitä' for the general concept.
Don't 'Take' Mistakes
Never say 'ottaa virhe'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Honesty is Key
In Finland, admitting a mistake ('Tein virheen') is often more respected than being perfect but arrogant.
Compound Words
You can specify the mistake by adding a word in front: 'kirjoitusvirhe' (writing mistake), 'ajatusvirhe' (thought mistake).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tehdä'.
Minä ______ eilen pienen virheen.
The word 'eilen' (yesterday) indicates the past tense (imperfekt), so 'tein' is correct.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural way to say 'It's okay to make mistakes'.
In Finnish, the collocation is always 'tehdä virheitä'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Miksi tämä koodi ei toimi? B: Anteeksi, minä ______ ______.
B is admitting to one specific mistake they made in the code.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are talking to a friend about a party you messed up.
'Mokata' is the informal version of 'tehdä virhe', perfect for social situations with friends.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Virhe vs. Moka
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMinä ______ eilen pienen virheen.
The word 'eilen' (yesterday) indicates the past tense (imperfekt), so 'tein' is correct.
Choose the most natural way to say 'It's okay to make mistakes'.
In Finnish, the collocation is always 'tehdä virheitä'.
A: Miksi tämä koodi ei toimi? B: Anteeksi, minä ______ ______.
B is admitting to one specific mistake they made in the code.
You are talking to a friend about a party you messed up.
'Mokata' is the informal version of 'tehdä virhe', perfect for social situations with friends.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questions'Virhe' is neutral and formal, while 'moka' is slang. Use 'virhe' with your boss and 'moka' with your friends.
It is grammatically possible but sounds redundant. Usually, you just say 'erehtyä' (the verb) or 'tehdä virhe'.
No, you use the plural 'virheitä' for general statements. For one specific mistake, use 'tehdä virhe'.
The most common way is 'Tein kirjoitusvirheen'.
In Finland, it depends on the context. In a professional setting, it's expected. In social settings, it's better to be subtle.
Yes, usually. If it was on purpose, it wouldn't be called a 'virhe'.
It is the partitive plural case.
You can say 'Tein virheen ja käänyin väärään suuntaan', but 'Ajoin harhaan' (I drove astray) is more common.
Yes, 'erehtyä'. For example: 'Erehtyä ovesta' (To take the wrong door).
'Opin virheistäni'.
Yes, though 'bugi' is also used. 'Koodissa on virhe' is very common.
'Onnistua' (to succeed) or 'tehdä oikein' (to do correctly).
Expressions liées
mokata
synonymTo screw up (informal)
erehtyä
similarTo be mistaken
epäonnistua
builds onTo fail
korjata virhe
contrastTo fix a mistake
oppia virheistä
builds onTo learn from mistakes
huolimattomuusvirhe
specialized formA careless mistake
