A2 Idiom ニュートラル

olla varpaillaan

to be on one's toes

意味

Being alert and ready.

🌍

文化的背景

In Finnish workplaces, being 'varpaillaan' is often seen as a sign of a 'hyvä tyyppi' (a good guy/worker) who doesn't need constant supervision. In international startups, this idiom is used to describe the 'agile' mindset needed to survive rapid market pivots. Nature is unpredictable in the North. Being 'varpaillaan' regarding weather changes is a traditional survival trait. Finnish ice hockey commentary frequently uses this to describe a team's defensive readiness.

🎯

Master the Suffix

If you can't remember the suffix, use 'olla valppaana' instead—it doesn't change!

⚠️

Don't over-use

If you say you are 'varpaillasi' while watching a movie, people might think you are actually scared.

意味

Being alert and ready.

🎯

Master the Suffix

If you can't remember the suffix, use 'olla valppaana' instead—it doesn't change!

⚠️

Don't over-use

If you say you are 'varpaillasi' while watching a movie, people might think you are actually scared.

自分をテスト

Fill in the correct possessive suffix for the subject 'Me' (We).

Meidän täytyy olla varpailla____.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: mme

The subject is 'me' (we), so the suffix must be '-mme'.

Which situation is the best fit for 'olla varpaillaan'?

Milloin olet varpaillasi?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Kun ajan autoa lumimyrskyssä.

Driving in a snowstorm requires high alertness and readiness to react.

Complete the dialogue with the correct form.

Pomo: 'Tämä on tärkeä asiakas.' Työntekijä: 'Selvä, minä olen ______.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: varpaillani

The speaker is 'minä' (I), so the form is 'varpaillani'.

Match the phrase to the meaning.

Match 'Pitää varpaillaan' with its meaning.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: To make someone stay alert.

The causative verb 'pitää' means to keep or make someone stay in that state.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the correct possessive suffix for the subject 'Me' (We). Fill Blank A2

Meidän täytyy olla varpailla____.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: mme

The subject is 'me' (we), so the suffix must be '-mme'.

Which situation is the best fit for 'olla varpaillaan'? Choose A2

Milloin olet varpaillasi?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Kun ajan autoa lumimyrskyssä.

Driving in a snowstorm requires high alertness and readiness to react.

Complete the dialogue with the correct form. dialogue_completion A2

Pomo: 'Tämä on tärkeä asiakas.' Työntekijä: 'Selvä, minä olen ______.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: varpaillani

The speaker is 'minä' (I), so the form is 'varpaillani'.

Match the phrase to the meaning. situation_matching B1

Match 'Pitää varpaillaan' with its meaning.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: To make someone stay alert.

The causative verb 'pitää' means to keep or make someone stay in that state.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

Not necessarily. It can mean positive excitement and readiness, though it often implies a stressful or demanding situation.

Yes, you can say a cat is 'varpaillaan' when it is hunting a bird.

'Varpaillaan' is about readiness to act; 'varuillaan' is about being cautious or suspicious of danger.

Usually yes, or 'pysyä' (stay) or 'pitää' (keep).

Yes, it is common in news articles and business reports.

Hän pitää minut varpaillani.

Yes: 'Olin varpaillani' (I was on my toes).

Similar, but 'on edge' is more about nervousness, while 'varpaillaan' is more about readiness.

Technically yes, but 'seistä varpaillaan' is more common for the literal meaning.

Yes, 'olla skarppina' is the most common informal alternative.

関連フレーズ

🔗

olla varuillaan

similar

To be on one's guard.

🔄

olla hereillä

synonym

To be awake/alert.

🔗

pitää silmät auki

similar

To keep one's eyes open.

🔗

olla skarppina

informal

To be sharp.

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