Chytnout

Chytnout is a Czech informal verb meaning to catch, grab, seize, or snatch something quickly. It is a colloquial variant of the standard verb chytit and is most commonly used in spoken Czech and in regional speech. The sense it conveys is typically more instantaneous or opportunistic than the formal chytit, often describing a rapid action taken to hold or seize something that is moving or within reach.

Etymology and form. Chytnout is formed from the root chytn- with the suffix -nout, a pattern found in Czech to create colloquial or emphatic forms of verbs related to catching or grabbing. It is closely related to chytit, which is the standard, more formal form. In many contexts, chytnout conveys a lighter, more informal tone than chytit, and it is widely understood across Czech-speaking communities.

Usage and register. The word is primarily used in casual speech rather than formal writing. It appears in narratives, dialogues, and everyday conversation, often to emphasize a quick or opportunistic action. While chytit remains the preferred form in formal texts, chytnout is common in comics, popular media, and colloquial conversation, reflecting regional and stylistic variation within Czech.

See also. Chytit; Chytat; Czech verbs of catching. The term chytnout sits alongside related forms that express catching, grabbing, or seizing, with nuances determined by context, register, and regional speech.