Výstrah

Výstrah is a Czech noun form meaning warnings. It functions as the genitive plural of výstraha, and is also used after prepositions in phrases such as bez výstrah or podle výstrah. The plural form appears in official contexts and public discourse where multiple warnings or notices are referenced.

In usage, výstraha denotes a signal or notice intended to alert people to potential danger or adverse conditions. It is commonly used in official, technical, and public-safety language. While výstraha and varování are often treated as synonyms, výstraha tends to be more formal or technical, and is closely connected with specified conditions or protocols. Common contexts include weather and natural hazards, road and transport safety, industrial or chemical safety, and civil protection measures.

Public authorities and institutions issue výstrahy to prepare or protect the population. Meteorological services publish weather výstrahy (for example, warnings about storms, floods, or extreme temperatures). Emergency services, railway and road administrations, and health or safety agencies also issue výstrahy when there is a real or imminent risk, often with specified time frames and recommended precautions. Communications may present the level or intensity of the threat and the actions recommended to mitigate harm.

Etymology traces výstraha to a root associated with guarding or warning, with the prefix vy- forming a sense of outward signaling or alert. Related terms include upozornění (notification) and varování (warning), which are often interchangeable depending on context.

Šíře použití výstrah reflects their role in risk communication and public safety, serving to inform, guide behavior, and reduce harm in potential hazard situations.