Divák

Divák is a Czech and Slovak noun meaning a person who watches or observes a performance, event, or broadcast; in English it corresponds to viewer or spectator. The word is derived from the verb dívat se (to look), reflecting its basic sense of someone who looks at or attends visual presentations.

Grammatically, divák is masculine animate in Czech and Slovak. The standard plural in Czech is diváci; the feminine form is divačka, and collective or abstract senses are expressed by words such as diváctvo or publikum. The term is used both for individuals (a theatre divák) and for audience members as a group (televizní diváci).

Divák applies across cultural and media contexts: live performances (theatre, concerts), sporting events, cinema, and television, as well as online video and streaming platforms. In media industries and audience research, divák figures are important for measuring popularity, ratings and engagement; in the arts the behavior and expectations of diváci can influence programming, staging and critical reception.

Culturally, the role and etiquette of the divák vary by setting and tradition, from formal observance in classical concerts to active participation at sports matches. Related terms include divadlo (theatre), publikum (audience) and diváctvo (audience as a social group). The concept has evolved with technology, extending to virtual audiences and interactive viewership.