The Difference Between Tai and Vai
In this article, we’ll take a look at the difference between tai and vai. These are conjunctions, which means they express the relation between sentences or parts of sentences. Both tai and vai are translated as “or” in English, but they’re used in different contexts. Let’s explore the differences a little!
- The difference between tai and vai in statements
- The difference between tai and vai in questions
- Other uses for vai
1. The difference between tai and vai in statements
Trick title! In statements, you can only have tai. The conjunction vai is reserved to questions only.
- “Odota päivä tai kaksi, kyllä se paranee.”
Translation: Wait a day or two, it will get better. - “Hän ei koskaan kysellyt kuulumisia tai kutsunut kahville.”
Translation: She never asked how I was or invited me for coffee. - “Hänen nimensä oli Kaisa tai Kaija tai jotain.”
Translation: Her name was Kaisa or Kaija or something.
2. The difference between tai and vai in questions
Tai is used in questions to express that the listener can pick any number of possibilities they’d like.
Meanwhile, vai requires the listener to pick one from the line of possibilities.
“Do you want sugar or cream?”
The listener has 4 options: either they take
1) cream,
2) sugar,
3) both or
4) neither.
“Do you want coffee or tea?”
The listener has 2 options: either they take
1) coffee, or
2) tea.
“Does he speak Finnish or Swedish?”
The listener can reply in 2 ways:
1) yes, he does speak one of those
2) no, he doesn’t speak either of those
“Does he speak Finnish or Swedish?”
The listener has 2 options:
1) Finnish
2) Swedish
3. Other uses for vai
You can use vai at the end of statements, turning them into a special kind of question. This type of question is used to express that you’d like feedback from the person listening.
- “Minä, vai?”
Translation: Do/Did you mean me? - “Eihän siihen muuta ratkaisua olekaan kuin lähteminen, vai?”
Translation: There is no other solution to that than leaving, right?
Vai can also be part of certain short interjections
| Finnish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vai niin. | I see. | “En tulekaan tänne.” – “Vai niin.” |
| Vai mitä? | Eh? Right? Isn’t it? | “Tämä on loistava idea. Vai mitä, Janne?” |
This is a much-welcome expansion on the superficial “inclusive vs. exclusive” explanation given in most textbooks! As I don’t have much real-world experience on actual usage, I wonder if you have any feedback on the following:
Korpela adds that in statements ‘tai‘ is usually understood as exclusive, and this can be made explicit by using the double conjunction ‘joko…tai…‘ (either…or…) construction, as covered in your Sekä Että – Joko Tai – Double Conjunctions page. Also, apart from strictly logical considerations, ‘tai‘ is often used for exclusive-or questions in circumstances in which ‘vai‘ would sound pushy. His examples:
No doubt these nuance issues are a matter of judgment, but any thoughts?
Yes, “Haluatko kahvia VAI teetä” can feel pushy. It’s like putting someone on the spot, which is weird if we’re just sitting at the kitchen table drinking beverages of our choice.
However, if you’re both standing in front of the table with a tea and coffee pot on it, and you’re about to pour some in for both you, VAI doesn’t sound pushy at all, you just want a direct answer so you can start pouring.
The statements with “tai” that you mentioned are interesting. “Voit saada joko kahvin tai jäätelöä” really carries an air of having to pick just one. Phrases like “Voit saada”, “Saat valita” and “Voit mennä” are statements but they mean the same as a question. Maybe that’s why they carry an exclusive meaning.
They differ from the statement examples I mentioned in the article, which certainly weren’t exclusive.
Interesting addition, thank you!
Very useful
Hei, Inge.
As a lover of languages I do hope you won’t be offended if I were to comment on your use of an English expression. In your introductory paragraph on this page you use the “word” “aka” which is an abbreviation of the phrase “also know as”. It’s usually used to introduce a person’s alias or pseudonym. Feels out of place as you have used it. Might I suggest using the phrase “that is” or its common abbreviation “ie” in place of “aka”.
Hei Paul! Kiitos kommentistasi!
I will change that 🙂 Is this issue with “aka” specific for this type of situation where it’s followed by an explanatory phrase rather than a synonym? Can I use “aka” when putting two grammar terms that mean the same side by side?
I think I’m quite fond of my misuse of “aka” (which I wasn’t aware of), so I’ll have to have a thorough search for it xD
Loistava artikkeli!
I’m not sure if this is already implied in your text in a way I’m unable to catch, but I’d like to point out that strictly speaking, the only valid answer options to the example question “Haluatko sokeria tai kermaa?” are “kyllä” and “ei” in the exact same manner as to the example question “Puhuuko hän suomea tai ruotsia?”. Of course in practical terms, if the listener is going to answer “kyllä”, s/he can precipitate the conversation by directly specifying which item(s) s/he wants or which language(s) s/he speaks, even though that would not be an answer to what was asked exactly.
It did help a lot. Thank you! And of you have some explanations about kahvia, pilla., hyvää and the like too, you are welcome
OK, this is a really good explanation, but I am going to use a simplistic peg to English words to remember it for now – even if not a perfect fit.
Tai – ties the options together
Vai – vies the options against each other
Thanks!