Hovory

Hovory is a noun used in Czech and Slovak to mean conversation, talk, or discourse. It covers a range of spoken communication, from casual chats to more extended or formal discourse. The plural form, hovory, can refer to multiple conversations or to a collection of talks, such as a series of lectures or recordings presented as conversations.

Etymology and usage context: Hovor derives from the Proto-Slavic root *govor-, meaning speech or talk, and is cognate with related Slavic terms such as the Russian govor. In everyday language, hovory denotes spoken exchange between people. It contrasts with rozhovor, which is more commonly used for interviews or formal dialogues; while a rozhovor often implies a question-and-answer format, a hovor emphasizes the act of speaking itself and the content of the dialogue without strict formality. In Slovak, the word and its plural are used similarly, and the adjective hovrový or colloquial forms may appear in expressions describing informal language.

Related terms and nuance: Hovor is frequently found in phrases describing linguistic style, such as colloquial speech (hovorová čeština/slovenčina). It can also appear in media and literature to indicate a format based on casual or open conversation. While both languages distinguish between informal talk (hovor) and more formal or investigative dialogue (rozhovor), the exact usage depends on context and nuance.

See also: rozhovor (interview or dialogue), konverzace (conversation), diskusia (discussion). Hovory as a concept is often invoked in contexts emphasizing spoken discourse, oral traditions, or public talks.