välttäväksi

Välttäväksi is the translative form of the Finnish adjective välttävä, which means adequate or acceptable. Välttävä describes something that meets the minimum requirements or expectations but is not strong or high quality. The translative form välttäväksi is used to express a change of state or designation, typically after verbs such as tulla or muuttua, meaning “to become” or “to turn into.” For example: Tulos on tullut välttäväksi, or Arvosanaksi tuli välttävä, meaning the result or grade has become adequate.

In educational contexts, välttävä can denote a modest level of achievement. It is commonly viewed as a lower tier of passing performance, depending on the grading scale used, and it is often contrasted with higher ratings such as tyydyttävä, hyvä, or kiitettävä. Beyond education, the adjective is used more generally to describe things, performances, or outcomes that are acceptable but not exemplary.

The adverbial form related to the concept is välttävästi, used to describe doing something in a passable or adequate manner. However, this adverb is relatively rare in everyday speech, and speakers often convey the nuance with alternative phrasing or synonyms.

Overall, välttäväksi centers on the idea of transition into an adequate state or designation, with nuances of modest competence rather than high quality. See also: kiitettävä, erinomainen, hyvä, tyydyttävä.