Býváme

Býváme is a Czech verb form that translates roughly as “we are usually” or “we tend to be.” It expresses habitual or typical states or actions rather than single, completed events. It is commonly used to describe regular patterns within a group that includes the speaker.

Grammatically, býváme is the present tense, first person plural form of the imperfective verb bývat (to be in a habitual sense). The imperfective prefix býv- marks repetition or habit. The full present tense paradigm includes já bývám, ty býváš, on bývá, my býváme, vy býváte, oni bývají.

Usage notes: It is common in everyday speech and descriptive writing to convey regularity. It is often combined with adverbs of frequency such as obvykle, často, vždy, nebo každý den to indicate regularity. It contrasts with non-habitual present forms or with past habitual constructions, such as bývali jsme, which means “we used to be.”

Examples: V létě býváme u moře. O víkendech býváme doma a vaříme spolu večeři. Když je hezky, býváme venku.

Origin and related forms: Býváme comes from bývat, the imperfective, habitual variant of být (to be). The prefix býv- marks habitual aspect. Other present forms include já bývám, ty býváš, on bývá, my býváme, vy býváte, oni bývají. In past contexts, one would use bývali jsme or bývalo to express a habitual state in the past.