Passive Imperative

Level 4

The passive imperative (or passive jussive) is a formal way to express that something should or must be done without specifying who does it. It is translated as 'Let [it] be [done]' or 'May [it] be [done]'.

How It Works

The passive imperative is the impersonal counterpart to the active third-person imperative. While the active form directs a command at a specific person (e.g., 'Let him do it'), the passive form directs it at the situation or society at large.

1. Formation
To form the passive imperative, take the passive stem and add the suffix -koon or -köön according to vowel harmony. Note that for Verb Type 1, the verb root itself is in the weak grade, but the passive suffix -tta-/-ttä- is in the strong grade.

  • Verb Type 1: lukea → lue- → luettakoon (let it be read) — Note the weak grade 'lue' and strong suffix 'tta'.
  • Verb Types 2 & 3: syödä → syötä- → syötäköön (let it be eaten); tulla → tulta- → tultakoon (let it be come)
  • Verb Types 4, 5, 6: haluta → halutta- → haluttakoon (let it be wanted)

2. Negative Form
The negative is formed using the auxiliary word älköön followed by the passive connegative (passive stem + -ko/-kö).
Example: Älköön sitä tehtäkö (Let it not be done).

3. Perfect Tense
The passive imperative can also appear in the perfect tense to express that something should have been completed. It is formed with olkoon + the passive past participle.
Example: Olkoon se jo tehty (Let it [already] be done).

4. The Object Case
The object case follows standard passive rules:

  • The total object for nouns is in the nominative case (the basic form), never the genitive -n. Example: Tämä tehtäköön (Let this be done).
  • The partitive object is used for ongoing actions or in negative sentences. Example: Älköön sitä muutettako (Let it not be changed).
  • Object pronouns must take the accusative -t ending. Example: Hänet jätettäköön rauhaan (Let him/her be left in peace).

5. Usage and Register
This form is rare in everyday speech. You will encounter it in:

  • Legal texts: 'Tätä lakia noudatettakoon' (Let this law be followed).
  • Academic writing: 'Mainittakoon tässä yhteydessä...' (Let it be mentioned in this context...).
  • Solemn/Religious contexts: 'Tehtäköön sinun tahtosi' (Thy will be done).

Examples (4)

  1. Tehtäköön niin kuin on sovittu.

    Let it be done as has been agreed.

    Word by Word: Let-be-done so as is agreed.

    A common formal way to confirm a decision or agreement.

  2. Mainittakoon, että tutkimus on vielä kesken.

    Let it be mentioned that the research is still ongoing.

    Word by Word: Let-be-mentioned, that research is still middle.

    A standard academic phrase used to introduce a relevant point.

  3. Älköön ketään rangaistako ilman syytä.

    Let no one be punished without cause.

    Word by Word: Let-not anyone be-punished without cause.

    A formal or legalistic negative command using the passive connegative form.

  4. Todettakoon tässä, että tulokset ovat hyviä.

    Let it be stated here that the results are good.

    Word by Word: Let-be-stated here, that results are good.

    Used in reports to formally present a finding.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the passive imperative for casual suggestions.

    Syötäköön nyt!
    Syödään nyt!

    In casual speech, use the passive present to mean 'Let's'. Using the passive imperative makes you sound like a 19th-century law book.

  • Trying to create a plural form.

    Tehtäkööt nämä työt.
    Tehtäköön nämä työt.

    Unlike the active imperative, the passive imperative has no plural form. It is always '-koon' or '-köön', regardless of whether the object is singular or plural.

How It Connects

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Passive ImperativeLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand the passive imperative, you need to be familiar with how the passive stem is formed (from the passive present) and how the third-person imperative ending (-koon/-köön) functions, as this pattern combines those two elements.