ole hyvä

Finnish

Etymology

Probably a calque of Swedish var så god (literally “be so good”). Literally, “Be good”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈoleˣ ˈhyʋæ/, [ˈo̞le̞h ˈhyʋæ]

• Audio:

  (file)

Phrase

ole hyvä

1. you’re welcome
2. here you are, there you go
3. please (usually with ja (“and”), or at the end of a sentence separated by a comma)

   Ole hyvä ja auta. / Auta, ole hyvä. ― Please help.

4. be my guest

Usage notes

• Singular, non-polite.
  • olkaa hyvä (polite), olkaa hyvät (plural)
• (please): ole hyvä is considered more formal than please and isn't used as often.

Synonyms

• (you're welcome): eipä kestä
• (please): ole kiltti; (informal, colloquial) pliis
• (all senses, polite or plural): olkaa hyvä

Derived terms

• ole hyvä vain