Questions & Answers about Älkää tähdätkö tänne!
Why do we use tänne (to here) instead of täällä (here)?
In Finnish, spatial adverbs are split into static (at), source (from), and destination (to). The verb tähdätä (to aim) implies directing something towards a target. Because of this built-in direction, Finnish requires the destination form tänne (to here), whereas English just uses the static word "here".
Why does the verb end in -kö in this sentence?
It is part of the plural negative imperative. To tell a group of people not to do something, you start with the plural negative word älkää. The main verb must then take its matching negative command ending, which is always -ko or -kö.
How do you form tähdätkö from the dictionary form tähdätä?
Tähdätä is a Type 4 verb. To find the stem for this plural command form, you simply drop the final -a or -ä from the dictionary form, giving you tähdät-. Then you attach the plural negative ending -kö, resulting in tähdätkö.
Could I say this to just one person?
Yes, but only if you are speaking very formally. Älkää tähdätkö is primarily plural, used for two or more people. To tell a single person informally not to aim here, you would use the singular forms instead: Älä tähtää tänne!
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