Stáhnout

Stáhnout is a Czech verb meaning to download, i.e., to transfer data from a remote server to a local device, usually over the Internet. In common use the sense extends to “pull down” something from a higher source to the user. The term is primarily used in computing, where it denotes saving data from a server onto a computer, smartphone, or other device. The imperfective counterpart is stahovat; stáhnout is the perfective aspect, denoting a completed download.

Originating from the verb táhnout (to pull) with the prefix s-, stáhnout literally means “to pull down,” a sense that extended to data transfer from a server to a client. As a result, it is used predominantly in technical contexts, while the related form stahovat describes ongoing or repeated downloading.

Conjugation and aspect: stáhnout is perfective, and its present tense forms express future meaning: já stáhnu, ty stáhneš, on stáhne, my stáhneme, vy stáhnete, oni stáhnou. The imperfective counterpart stahovat has present forms such as já stahuji, ty stahuješ, on stahuje, my stahujeme, vy stahujete, oni stahují. In the past tense one may say stáhl jsem (masc.), stáhla jsem (fem.), stáhli jsme.

Usage notes: In computing contexts you say stáhnout soubor z internetu or stáhnout aktualizaci softwaru. After a download you may say uložit si soubor (to save the file). Imperatives are stáhni (ty) and stáhněte (vy). Související termíny include nahrát (to upload), stahování (downloading), and stáhnutí (the act of downloading).