Meaning
Asking if a seat or item is occupied.
Cultural Background
Finns value 'oma rauha' (personal peace). Asking if a seat is taken is a way of acknowledging that you are entering their space. Similar to Finland, Swedes use 'Är det ledigt?' (Is it free?). The social etiquette of personal space is very similar across the Nordics. In Japan, people often leave a bag on a chair to show it's taken. In Finland, this is also common, but you should still ask. In the US, 'Is this seat taken?' is often followed by small talk. In Finland, the interaction usually ends immediately after the answer.
The Bag Rule
If you see a bag on a chair, it is 100% varattu. You can still ask, but expect a 'yes'.
Don't touch!
Never move someone's belongings to sit down without asking first. It is considered very rude in Finland.
Meaning
Asking if a seat or item is occupied.
The Bag Rule
If you see a bag on a chair, it is 100% varattu. You can still ask, but expect a 'yes'.
Don't touch!
Never move someone's belongings to sit down without asking first. It is considered very rude in Finland.
The Spoken Shortcut
Just say 'Onks tää?' while pointing. It's the ultimate minimalist Finnish way to ask.
Silence is OK
After they say 'Ei ole', just sit down and be quiet. You don't need to say anything else!
Test Yourself
You are in a cafe and see an empty chair. What do you say?
Anteeksi, ____ tämä varattu?
We need the question form of 'on' (is), which is 'onko'.
Complete the spoken Finnish version of the phrase.
Onks ____ varattu?
In spoken Finnish, 'tämä' becomes 'tää'.
Match the response to the question: 'Onko tämä varattu?'
The seat is free.
'Ei ole' means 'It is not [taken]', and 'ole hyvä' means 'please/you're welcome'.
Complete the dialogue in a library.
A: Onks tää paikka varattu? B: Ei oo, ____.
'Ota vaan' (just take it) is a very common informal way to say a seat is free.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Varattu'
Places
- • Seats
- • Tables
- • Parking
People
- • In a relationship
- • Busy (rare)
Tech
- • Phone line
- • Meeting room
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAnteeksi, ____ tämä varattu?
We need the question form of 'on' (is), which is 'onko'.
Onks ____ varattu?
In spoken Finnish, 'tämä' becomes 'tää'.
The seat is free.
'Ei ole' means 'It is not [taken]', and 'ole hyvä' means 'please/you're welcome'.
A: Onks tää paikka varattu? B: Ei oo, ____.
'Ota vaan' (just take it) is a very common informal way to say a seat is free.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Tämä' means 'this [thing]', while 'tässä' means 'in this [spot]'. Both work: 'Onko tämä varattu?' or 'Onko tässä varattu?'.
Usually, bathroom doors have a red/green indicator. If you must ask, 'Onko täällä ketään?' (Is anyone in here?) is better.
A grunt or a nod is a valid Finnish answer. It usually means 'No, it's not taken, go ahead'.
Yes! If a phone line is busy, it is 'varattu'.
Say: 'Tämä on varattu ystävälleni'.
No, it is the polite thing to do before occupying the space next to them.
The opposite is 'vapaa' (free).
Yes, 'Olen varattu' can mean 'I am busy', but 'Olen kiireinen' is more common for being busy with work.
Yes, 'viety' means 'taken'. It's a bit more informal.
It's better to start with 'Anteeksi' (Excuse me) to be polite.
Related Phrases
Onko tässä vapaata?
similarIs there free space here?
Voinko istua tähän?
similarCan I sit here?
Tämä on varattu.
builds onThis is reserved.
Varaus
specialized formA reservation
Varattu!
specialized formTaken! / Occupied!
