älköön

älköön is a Finnish word that functions as a negative imperative for the third person. It is formed by combining the negative imperative stem "äl-" with the third-person singular ending "-köön". This grammatical construction is used to express a prohibition or a wish that something should not happen, directed at a third person or persons.

The primary usage of "älköön" is in formal contexts or when expressing a strong, often somewhat archaic, negative command or entreaty. It conveys a sense of "let him/her/them not" or "may he/she/they not". For instance, "älköön hän tehkö sitä" translates to "let him/her not do that". While grammatically correct, this particular phrasing is uncommon in everyday spoken Finnish, which often prefers more direct or less formal constructions.

In modern Finnish, the passive or impersonal forms of the negative imperative are more frequently used. For example, "ei saa tehdä" (one must not do) or "ei pidä tehdä" (one should not do) are often employed to convey a similar meaning of prohibition. However, "älköön" still appears in certain set phrases, proverbs, and literary contexts, retaining its distinct formal and somewhat elevated tone. Its presence in these contexts ensures its continued existence in the Finnish language, albeit with a diminished frequency in casual conversation.