Nelegální

Nelegální is a Czech adjective meaning not legal; it is used to describe actions, statuses, or goods that are not authorized by law or are explicitly forbidden by legal norms.

Etymology: The term derives from a negating prefix ne- attached to legální (legal). It comes from the Latin legalis and is cognate with the English word illegal.

Usage: In common language, media, and legal writing, nelegální describes activities or situations that do not have legal authorization. The noun form is nelegálnost, and the adverb is nelegálně. Examples include nelegální obchod (illegal trade), nelegální práce (illegal work), nelegální dovoz (illegal import), and nelegální migrace (illegal immigration).

Distinctions: In Czech, nelegální is the standard neutral term for illegality. Ilegální is a loanword that is also used to express the same idea, but it can carry a stronger or more colloquial nuance in some contexts. Proti-právní or protiprávní is a more formal synonym often found in legal language.

Context and nuance: The choice between nelegální, ilegální, and protiprávní depends on tone, audience, and legal specificity. Nelegální tends to be neutral and widely accepted in official documents, journalism, and everyday speech. Ilegální may appear in more emphatic or stylistic usage, while protiprávní emphasizes a breach of law as a principle rather than merely lacking authorization.

Related concepts: The term is frequently contrasted with legal, legalizace (legalization), and with terms describing lawful or regulated activities. It is also used in discussions of enforcement, compliance, and policy.