vai

fi
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/ʋɑi/
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Used to ask which of two alternatives is true.

Examples

  • Onko se sininen vai vihreä?
    Is it blue or green?
  • Voit valita punaisen vai sinisen paidan.
    You can choose the red or the blue shirt.
  • Juhlat oli vai, kaikki tanssivat koko yön.
    The party was vai, everyone danced all night.
  • Haluatko kahvia vai teetä?
    Do you want coffee or tea?
  • Mennäänkö kauppaan vai pysytään kotona?
    Do we go to the store or stay at home?

Similar words

vai sitten
tulessa
tai sitten
tai muuten
tai sittenkin
tai vaihtoehtoisesti
mahtava
vai vaihtoehtoisesti
fiilinen
kova

Meanings

Or

conjunction
everyday
neutral
Used to link alternative words or clauses, meaning ‘or’.

Examples

  • Haluatko kahvia vai teetä?
    Do you want coffee or tea?
  • Menemme elokuviin vai teatteriin.
    We will go to the movies or the theatre.
  • Voit valita punaisen vai sinisen paidan.
    You can choose the red or the blue shirt.
  • Onko se totta vai vain tarua?
    Is it true or just a rumor?
  • Lähdetkö kävellen vai pyörällä?
    Will you leave on foot or by bike?
  • Pidänkö sinua ystävänä vai kilpailijana?
    Do I consider you a friend or a rival?
  • Sää on kylmä vai lämmin?
    Is the weather cold or warm?

Similar words

Or (question particle)

adverb
everyday
neutral
Used in yes-no questions to offer alternatives, equivalent to ‘or’ in English questions.

Examples

  • Tuleeko hän tänään vai huomenna?
    Is he coming today or tomorrow?
  • Syötkö lihaa vai kalaa?
    Do you eat meat or fish?
  • Pitäisikö meidän lähteä nyt vai odottaa?
    Should we leave now or wait?
  • Onko se sininen vai vihreä?
    Is it blue or green?
  • Mennäänkö kauppaan vai pysytään kotona?
    Do we go to the store or stay at home?
  • Pidätkö kahvia vai teetä?
    Do you like coffee or tea?
  • Onko se totta vai valhe?
    Is it true or a lie?

Similar words

Peak of motivation and fun

adjective
social
slang
A slang term describing someone who is extremely enthusiastic and having a great time.

Examples

  • Tänään me ollaan ihan vai!
    Today we are totally vai!
  • Se keikka oli vai, en malta odottaa seuraavaa.
    That gig was vai, I can't wait for the next one.
  • Kun hän aloitti projektin, kaikki tiimi oli vai.
    When he started the project, the whole team was vai.
  • Mä tunnen itseni vai juuri nyt, energiaa täynnä.
    I feel vai right now, full of energy.
  • Juhlat oli vai, kaikki tanssivat koko yön.
    The party was vai, everyone danced all night.
  • Se peli on vai, en voi lopettaa pelaamista.
    That game is vai, I can't stop playing.
  • Kun saimme voiton, kaikki olivat vai.
    When we got the win, everyone was vai.

Similar words

Etymology

From Proto-Finnic *vai, possibly related to vajaa and analogical to tai.

FAQ

What does vai mean?

It is used to ask which of two alternatives is true.

How is vai used as a conjunction?

It links alternative words or clauses, meaning or.

How is vai used as a question particle?

In yes-no questions it offers alternatives, equivalent to or in English questions.

What does vai mean in slang?

It describes someone who is extremely enthusiastic and having a great time.

Where does vai come from?

It comes from Proto-Finnic *vai, possibly related to vajaa and analogical to tai.

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