Chlapci

Chlapci is a plural noun in Czech and Slovak that translates to "boys" or "guys" in English. It is the nominative plural form of the masculine animate noun chlapec in these languages, used when referring to a group of male persons. The corresponding singular is chlapec; a common diminutive for a child is chlapeček.

Grammatical notes: In both Czech and Slovak, chlapci is used as the subject of a sentence and agrees with plural verbs. It denotes a group that includes at least one male person, and the implied age range can vary from children to young men depending on context.

Etymology: The word is built from the base chlap- with Slavic suffixes that form the feminine and masculine nouns related to male persons. Similar forms appear across Slavic languages with related meanings.

Usage: In neutral contexts, chlapci refers to boys; in informal speech it can also refer to adult men, akin to the English "guys." In Czech, the term kluci is often used in everyday speech for boys or young men, while chlapci may appear more in writing or in a rustic or formal register. In Slovak, chlapci is a standard term for "boys" or "guys" in everyday language.

See also: chlap, chlapec, chlapi.