Odvrací

Odvrací is a Czech verb in present tense, 3rd person singular, meaning to turn away or to avert something, such as a gaze, attention, a threat, or danger. The form is commonly used for describing an action where a person or thing redirects what is directed at them or at others.

Etymology and usage notes: odvrací is formed with the prefix od- (away) and the verb stem vrátit/vracet (to turn). The imperfective form odvrací is typically used for ongoing or habitual actions, while the perfective form odvrátí refers to a single, completed act in the future or past (depending on tense). The noun corresponding to the act is odvrácení (the act of turning away) or odvracení, used in different contexts to denote turning away or diverting attention.

Common meanings and collocations: odvracet (to avert), odvracet pozornost (to divert attention), odvracet pohled (to avert one’s gaze), odvrátit hrozbu (to avert a threat), odvrátit zrak (to turn one’s eyes away). The phraseology often centers on either a literal turning away (gaze, head, eyes) or a figurative turning away from something undesirable or dangerous.

Examples: Mluvčí odvrací pozornost veřejnosti od aktuálního problému. Dvě země odvrátily hrozbu použití síly diplomatickou cestou. Dívka odvrací zrak od scenérie a dívá se stranou.

Related terms: odvrátit (perfektivní protějšek), odvracet (nepravidelná varianta), odvrácení (substantivní forma). Odvrací is part of everyday Czech, especially in reporting, narrative, and advisory contexts.