Pohnout

Pohnout is a Czech verb meaning to move something from its place, or to start moving. It is used for physical displacement as well as for figurative moves, such as initiating progress or motivating action. The word is formed with the prefix po- added to the base hnout, and it is typically analyzed as a perfective verb.

Usage and senses

In the literal sense, pohnout describes moving an object so that its position changes, for example moving furniture or a table. Intransitive use with reflexive se describes a subject beginning to move itself, as in auto se pohnulo (the car began to move). In figurative or colloquial use, pohnout can mean to advance a project, idea, or situation, for example pohnout projektem forward or pohnout s myšlenkou. The verb is common in everyday speech and appears in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Grammatical notes

Pohnout is a perfective verb, indicating a completed action. Its imperfective counterpart is formed with related verbs such as pohybovat (to move something repeatedly) or hýbat se (to move oneself). In present usage, the form pohnu can convey a future action, as in Zítra to pohnu (I will move it / I will get it moving). Past forms include pohnul (masculine), pohnula (feminine), or pohnulo (neuter).

See also

Related Czech verbs include hnout and pohybovat, as well as phrases using se for reflexive movement. Pohnout often appears in both tangible and figurative expressions to convey initiating motion or progress.