Meaning
Knowing about a situation.
Cultural Background
Finns value 'asia' (the matter/fact) over small talk. Being 'selvillä' shows you respect the 'asia'. The phrase reflects the historical importance of sea travel. Clear waters meant safety. Students are encouraged to be 'selvillä' about their own learning goals from a young age. With high tech-literacy, Finns use this to discuss being 'selvillä' about data privacy.
The Bridge Word
If you want to follow the phrase with a whole sentence, use 'siitä' as a bridge: 'Olen selvillä siitä, että...'
Don't be too formal
In a bar with friends, just say 'Mä tiedän.' 'Olen selvillä' might sound like you're working.
Meaning
Knowing about a situation.
The Bridge Word
If you want to follow the phrase with a whole sentence, use 'siitä' as a bridge: 'Olen selvillä siitä, että...'
Don't be too formal
In a bar with friends, just say 'Mä tiedän.' 'Olen selvillä' might sound like you're working.
Silence is Clarity
If a Finn is silent after you explain something, they are likely processing it to become 'selvillä.' Give them a moment!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word with the correct case.
Oletko selvillä tästä _________ (asia)?
The phrase 'olla selvillä' requires the elative case (-sta).
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I am aware of the rules'?
You need 'selvillä' (not selvä) and the elative case 'säännöistä'.
Complete the dialogue.
Pomo: 'Tiedätkö mitä huomenna tapahtuu?' Sinä: 'Kyllä, olen _________ huomisen ohjelmasta.'
While others are possible, 'selvillä' is the most natural neutral-formal response here.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you use 'olla selvillä'?
It is used for situational awareness, not physical states or simple transactions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOletko selvillä tästä _________ (asia)?
The phrase 'olla selvillä' requires the elative case (-sta).
How do you say 'I am aware of the rules'?
You need 'selvillä' (not selvä) and the elative case 'säännöistä'.
Pomo: 'Tiedätkö mitä huomenna tapahtuu?' Sinä: 'Kyllä, olen _________ huomisen ohjelmasta.'
While others are possible, 'selvillä' is the most natural neutral-formal response here.
When would you use 'olla selvillä'?
It is used for situational awareness, not physical states or simple transactions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot really. You are 'selvillä' about a situation or a fact, not a person. To know a person, use 'tuntea'.
It is always 'selvillä' (plural). 'Selvällä' is singular and is rarely used in this idiom.
In English, 'in the clear' means safe. In Finnish, 'selvillä' just means you know what's happening. Safety is 'turvassa'.
You can say 'En ole aivan selvillä tästä vielä.'
Yes, it is very common and professional in business meetings.
The opposite is 'olla pihalla' (to be out in the yard/clueless).
Yes: 'Olin selvillä asiasta' (I was aware of the matter).
Yes, it's a great 'power phrase' to show you understand instructions.
No, it is neutral. 'Olla kartalla' is the slang version.
No, that is 'sain selville' or 'otin selvää'.
Yes! Finnish vowel harmony means 'selvillä' must end in 'ä' because of the 'e' and 'i'.
No, it must be 'uutisista' (elative case).
Related Phrases
ottaa selvää
builds onTo find out / investigate
olla perillä
synonymTo be arrived / to understand deeply
olla kartalla
similarTo be on the map
tehdä selväksi
relatedTo make clear
