Obránit

Obránit is a Czech verb in the perfective aspect formed with the prefix ob- added to bránit. It means to defend against a threat, to protect someone or something from harm, or to prevent a loss. The action is typically framed as a discrete, completed defense rather than an ongoing process.

Grammatically, obránit is transitive and takes a direct object referring to what is defended. It is used with phrases such as obránit zemi proti útoku (to defend the country against an attack) or obránit práva občanů (to defend citizens’ rights). It can also be used reflexively as obránit se (to defend oneself against something), for example obránit se útoku or obránit se tlaku. The imperfective counterpart is bránit, which describes ongoing or habitual defense.

In usage, obránit commonly appears in past or future contexts, including reports, political or legal discourse, and military or sports language where defense or protection is central. The related noun obrana denotes defense, and obránce means defender; obranný is the corresponding adjective meaning defensive or protective.

Etymology and cognates: obránit derives from bránit with the prefix ob-. It has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Polish obronić and Russian оборонить (oboronit’), Ukrainian оборонити (oboronyty), all referring to defending or protecting against threat. The term is standard in formal and everyday Czech, with nuance that emphasizes a definite preventive or protective action.