Tímto

Tímto is a word used in Czech and Slovak that functions as the instrumental case form of the demonstrative determiner meaning “this.” It is employed to express “by this,” “with this,” or “in this way,” and often serves to introduce an accompanying clause or phrase in formal or written language, as in references to a previous statement or in expressions of manner or means.

In usage, tímto appears in a variety of set phrases. Common examples include tímto způsobem (in this way / by this method), tímto dopisem (by this letter), and tímto prohlašuji (with this I declare). It is frequently used in official, administrative, or formal communications to connect a preceding text with a following statement.

Grammatically, tímto is the instrumental singular form formed from the demonstrative element tento/toto and its gendered variants. In Czech, the masculine and neuter instrumental singular is typically tímto, while the feminine instrumental singular is touto; the instrumental plural forms include těmito. In Slovak, the corresponding forms are týmto for masculine (and often neuter), touto for feminine, with těmito or týmmi used in plural contexts, depending on the gender of the noun it accompanies. The form timto/týmto is thus closely tied to the gender and number of the noun it modifies or the phrase it introduces.

Etymologically, tímto derives from the common Slavic demonstrative core that underpins corresponding words for “this” in related languages, evolving through the instrumental suffix in Czech and Slovak to its current usage.

See also: tento, toto, touto, způsobem.