KIELTO

Kielto is a Finnish noun meaning prohibition or ban. It denotes a restriction or forbiddance on a person’s actions, the possession of items, or the use of services, and it is commonly used in legal, regulatory, and everyday contexts. In everyday speech, it can refer to anything that is not allowed, whether temporarily or permanently.

Etymology and usage notes: Kielto derives from the verb kieltää, to prohibit or forbid, with the nominalizing suffix -o. The related verb kieltäytyä means to refuse, but kielto specifically signals a formal or recognized prohibition. The term can refer to a wide range of prohibitions, from formal legal prohibitions issued by authorities to informal rules within organizations or communities.

Legal and administrative context: In legal language, kielto appears in statements such as "tämän tuotteen myynti on kielletty" (the sale of this product is prohibited) or as part of broader prohibitions and restrictions. It is also combined with compound forms such as käyttökielto (prohibition of use) or toimintakielto (ban on operating or performing certain activities). Signs, notices, and regulatory texts frequently employ kielto to indicate what is not allowed, and it may be subject to enforcement by authorities or institutions.

Related terms and usage: Kielto is contrasted with terms like sallimus (permission) and rajoitus (restriction). It features in discussions on public safety, health regulations, environmental rules, and administrative policies. The word is a standard part of Finnish legal, bureaucratic, and everyday vocabulary when describing prohibitions.