Vypadají

Vypadají is a Czech verb form meaning "they look" or "they seem." It is the third-person plural present indicative form of the verb vypadat, which means to look or to appear. The word is part of everyday Czech and is used to describe outward appearance as well as an impression.

Usage and nuance: Vypadají is used to express how a group or plural subject appears at the moment or in general. It is commonly followed by adjectives (vypadají unavení, vypadají šťastně) or by the construction vypadají jako + noun or descriptor (vypadají jako profesionálové, vypadají jako děti). It can also introduce a question about appearance or plans (Jak vypadají vaše plány?).

Grammatical notes: Vypadají is the present-tense form for they look. Other present-tense forms of vypadat are: já vypadám, ty vypadáš, on/ona/vypadá, my vypadáme, vy vypadáte. The verb is imperfective, so present forms describe current or general appearance. Past forms are vypadali (masculine or mixed), vypadaly (feminine), and vypadali (plural). Future forms use bude‑vypadat or budou vypadat, depending on subject.

Etymology: Vypadat comes from prefix vy- and the root padat (to fall), historically connected to outward appearance or what seems to come to light rather than a literal visual drop. The sense of appearance or impression persists in modern usage.