Kterou

Kterou is the feminine singular form of the Czech relative pronoun který/ která. It is used to introduce a relative clause that refers to a feminine singular antecedent and that requires the feminine accusative (or instrumental) case within the clause. In English this corresponds to the sense of “which” or “whom” in a clause where the relative object is the antecedent.

In practice, pouvez: the phrase Dívku, kterou jsem potkal, je moje sestra means “The girl whom I met is my sister.” Here the antecedent dívku (girl) is feminine singular and the relative pronoun in the clause is in the accusative form. The form also appears with prepositions that govern the instrumental case, as in S kterou jsem mluvil (with whom I spoke) or with other prepositional constructions where the feminine singular antecedent is the object of the action or the complement of the preposition.

Grammatically, kterou agrees with its antecedent in gender, number, and case, and its use helps connect a subordinate clause to a preceding noun. It contrasts with feminine nominative forms such as která, which introduce clauses where the antecedent is the subject of the relative clause, or with other forms like kterou-to express more specific grammatical relations.

Etymologically, the form derives from the Proto-Slavic relative pronoun *kьtorъ, with the feminine accusative and instrumental forms developing in Czech through standard gender and case inflection.

See also: Czech relative clauses, pronouns, and other inflected forms of který/ která.