lähdettäköön

Lähdettäköön is a Finnish verb form that functions as a third person imperative or jussive mood. It is used to express suggestions, recommendations, or mild commands directed at someone or something in the third person. The word is derived from the verb "lähteä," which means "to leave" or "to depart."

This verb form is commonly used in formal and informal Finnish speech to make polite suggestions or to express what would be good or appropriate for someone to do. For example, "lähdettäköön hän" means "let him go" or "he may go," while "lähdettäköön se" translates to "let it go" or "let that be."

The form is constructed by taking the passive present stem of the verb and adding the suffix "-täköön." In the case of "lähteä," the passive present stem is "lähdet-" giving us "lähdettäköön." This pattern can be applied to other verbs as well, though "lähdettäköön" remains the most commonly recognized example.

Lähdettäköön carries a softer tone than direct imperatives and is often used when the speaker wants to suggest rather than command. It can convey resignation, permission, or philosophical acceptance of a situation. The expression is frequently heard in Finnish media, political speeches, and everyday conversation when discussing what ought to be done or what is inevitable.

In English, similar concepts might be expressed using phrases like "let it be," "may it be so," or "it is suggested that." However, the Finnish construction is more concise and carries specific cultural nuances that reflect the Finnish tendency toward indirect communication and consensus-building language patterns.