Schovej

Schovej is the imperative form of the Czech verb schovat, meaning to hide or to stash away. It is used as a direct command addressed to someone in the informal second person singular (ty). The related formal imperative for you is schovejte. The verb can also appear in other forms such as schovej se, which means hide yourself, and is used in a range of contexts from practical instructions to narrative dialogue.

Etymology and grammar: schovat originates from the Czech verb family related to concealment, with prefixal development common in Slavic languages. In imperative usage, schovej communicates a request or instruction to conceal something or to place it out of sight. When paired with pronouns, the object usually follows the verb, for example, Schovej to do skříně (Hide it in the cupboard). The negative imperative form exists as a separate construction or with a negation particle, depending on the exact phrase.

Usage and nuance: Schovej is typically found in everyday speech, storytelling, or situational dialogue where someone is asked to hide an object, a surprise, or themselves for a moment. It carries a direct, practical tone rather than formal or elaborate language. The form schovej se is used when the speaker tells someone to hide their own body or presence, as in a game or to avoid being seen.

Examples:

- Schovej to do šuplíku. (Hide it in the drawer.)

- Schovej se za roh. (Hide yourself behind the corner.)

- Schovej tu knihu, prosím. (Hide this book here, please.)

See also: schovat, schování, ukrýt, skrýt.