Spánkem

Spánkem is the instrumental singular form of the Czech noun spánek, which means sleep. The instrumental case is used in Czech to indicate means or instrument, as well as to describe a state or condition accompanying an action. In literary or formal language, spánkem can appear in compounds and phrases that express how something is done or what accompanies it.

In print and formal usage, spánkem often appears in constructions where sleep is the means, support, or accompanying condition. A common example is the compound expression spánkem provázený, meaning “accompanied by sleep” or “with sleep as a companion.” The instrumental form is distinct from other cases of spánek, such as ze spánku (genitive) used to express “from sleep.”

Spánek itself is a basic noun in Czech, referring to the state of sleep. Like other masculine inanimate nouns ending in -ek, its grammatical forms are determined by standard Czech declension patterns, with spánkem serving as the instrumental singular form. The word originates from the Proto-Slavic root related to sleep and rest.

Usage of spánkem is primarily found in written Czech, including literary prose, medical or psychological texts, and descriptive passages where a formal tone is desired. It is less common in everyday speech, where more colloquial constructions or other phrasing may be preferred.

See also: spánek, Czech grammar, grammatical cases, instrumental case.