Vaikkei

Vaikkei is a Finnish conjunction used to introduce a concessive clause, roughly equivalent to “even if” or “although” in English. It is a contracted form that combines the negation ei with the word vaikka, signaling a contrast between what is stated in the subordinate clause and the main clause.

Etymology and usage. Vaikkei derives from the standard conjunction vaikka together with the negation ei, and it is commonly used in everyday Finnish as a way to stress a counterfactual or contrary-to-expectation situation. It can appear at the start of a sentence or after the main clause, and it typically governs a dependent clause in which negation or hypothetical conditions are present.

Grammar and nuances. In practice, vaikkei is employed to emphasize that the outcome or action in the main clause occurs despite the condition described in the subordinate clause. It is most often used with negated subordinate clauses, but it can also appear in broader concessive contexts where the negate is implied or understood.

Examples. Vaikkei hän ole rikas, hän on onnellinen. (Even though he is not rich, he is happy.) Vaikkei sää ole suotuisa, menemme ulos. (Even if the weather is not favorable, we will go outside.)

See also. Finnish conjunctions; vaikka; negation in Finnish grammar.