Potkávat

Potkávat is a Czech verb that translates to "to meet," "to encounter," or "to come across" in English. It is a common verb used in everyday conversation and literature. The verb can be used in various contexts, including meeting people, encountering objects or situations, or even experiencing something by chance.

The verb "potkávat" is an imperfective aspect, meaning it describes an ongoing or repeated action. Its perfective counterpart is "potkat," which signifies a completed action of meeting or encountering. For example, "Potkávám svého přítele každý den" (I meet my friend every day) uses the imperfective form, while "Potkal jsem svého přítele včera" (I met my friend yesterday) uses the perfective form.

The verb can be used transitively, taking a direct object, such as "potkávat lidi" (to meet people). It can also be used intransitively, often with a prepositional phrase indicating the location or circumstances of the meeting, like "potkávat se na nádraží" (to meet at the station).

Figuratively, "potkávat" can also refer to experiencing or facing something, such as "potkávat problémy" (to encounter problems) or "potkávat štěstí" (to meet with luck). The verb's versatility makes it a fundamental part of the Czech language.