Vireä

Vireä is a Finnish adjective meaning lively, energetic, or brisk. It is used to describe people who are full of energy, as well as moods, performances, or atmospheres that feel active and spirited. The term often conveys a sense of vitality and alertness beyond mere physical strength.

In usage, vireä is closely related to virkeä, but the nuances differ slightly. Virkeä often emphasizes mental alertness and vitality, while vireä can carry a broader sense of liveliness and enthusiasm in a situation or person. Both words are common in everyday Finnish and may appear in informal speech as well as writing.

Grammar and inflection follow standard Finnish adjective patterns. The positive form is vireä. The comparative form is vireämpi and the superlative form is vireäin, though many speakers also use periphrastic expressions such as kaikkein vireä (“the most lively”). In attributive position, vireä commonly modifies nouns referring to people, events, or atmospheres, e.g., vireä ihminen, vireä tunnelma, vireä konsertti.

Typical collocations include vireä mieli (a lively spirit), vireä meno or vireä meininki (lively atmosphere or energy), and vireä kunto (good physical condition). Synonyms and near-synonyms include virkeä and energinen, with vireä often implying a broader sense of general vitality and enthusiasm.

See also: virkeä, energia, vire.