Oslovit

Oslovit is a Czech verb meaning to address someone directly, to speak to or call upon someone, or to contact and approach a person or audience. It is a perfective verb; its imperfective counterpart is oslovovat. The verb is transitive and governs a direct object in the accusative (koho/co).

Typical uses include addressing a person in speech or greeting, addressing an audience, or attempting to contact someone by letter, message, or other means. Examples: “Oslovil mě dopisem.” (He addressed me with a letter.) “Oslovil publikum svým projevem.” (He addressed the audience with his speech.) “Oslovte prosím pana ředitele.” (Please address Mr. Director.) “Chce oslovit voliče.” (He wants to appeal to the voters.)

Usage notes: in formal contexts, the act of addressing often involves using titles or polite forms, such as Vážený pane profesor. The verb is versatile for both spoken and written address, including political, journalistic, and organizational contexts. The imperfective form oslovovat describes ongoing or repeated addressing, while the perfective oslovím, oslovíš, osloví expresses completed action (I will address, you will address, he will address).

Etymology and related terms: the verb is formed with the prefix o- plus a root related to speech and words; the noun oslovení denotes the act or instance of addressing someone. Related nouns include oslovení, oslovení, and the process noun oslovování. Synonyms include oslovovat (imperfective), obrátit se na, vyzvat, or mluvit na; antonyms are typically conveyed by negation of addressing rather than a single word.