úkrytu

Úkryt is a Czech noun meaning shelter, hiding place, or refuge. It denotes a place or position intended to conceal someone or something from danger, adverse weather, or observation. The term can refer to physical structures as well as to a figurative concealment.

Etymology, usage and scope: The word derives from the verb ukrýt, to hide or conceal, with a suffix that forms a noun indicating a place associated with the action. In everyday language, úkryt can describe natural shelters such as caves or overhangs, as well as man-made shelters like dugouts, basements, bunkers, or emergency shelters. In civil defense or military contexts, it refers to protective spaces designed to shield people from external threats. The term also covers hiding places for people or objects, including concealment used by evaders, criminals, or animals seeking protection.

Examples and nuances: Phrases such as find a úkryt or take shelter imply seeking protection from weather or danger. A person might seek refuge in a house’s basement during a storm, while a soldier might use a dugout as a temporary úkryt. In zoological contexts, animals naturally create dens or burrows that function as úkryty. The concept has both practical and figurative uses in culture, literature, and everyday speech.

See also: Shelter, Hideout, Den, Bunker, Refuge.