úsilím

úsilím is the instrumental singular form of the Czech neuter noun úsilí, which means effort, exertion, or endeavour. It is used to express the means or manner by which an action is performed and appears mainly in formal or literary Czech. In contemporary prose the instrumental form is less common than the basic noun úsilí, but it is still encountered in standard grammar and certain stylistic contexts. Typical constructions describe how something is achieved, for example in phrases meaning “with great effort.”

Etymology and related forms: úsilí derives from Slavic roots connected with striving and exertion, with cognates appearing in other Slavic languages such as Slovak úsilie and Polish wysiłek. The instrumental singular úsí­lím (or a closely related variant) marks the means by which an action is carried out. The word is related to the adjective usilovný (diligent) and the verb usilovat (to strive).

Usage and semantics: úsílí refers to the energy, time, and focus invested in a task. It is often used in contexts describing the level of effort required or the persistence of someone’s endeavour. In everyday Czech, speakers more commonly use the noun úsilí or related expressions (e.g., vyvinout úsilí, vykonat s úsilím) rather than the instrumental form, but úsílím remains a valid grammatical option in appropriate registers.

Translations and equivalents: English equivalents include effort, exertion, or endeavour. In related languages, cognates appear as úsilie (Slovak) or wysiłek (Polish). The term can also contrast with more general notions of diligence or perseverance, such as snaha or odhodlání.

In sum, úsílím is a specialized instrumental form of úsilí used to convey manner or means of striving in formal Czech, and it sits alongside more common expressions of effort in everyday language.