Zachovávajú

Zachovávajú is a Slovak verb form meaning they preserve or maintain. It is the third person plural present tense of the imperfective verb zachovávať, used to describe ongoing or habitual preservation or maintenance of something.

In usage, zachovávajú describes actions that are repeated or held in a steady state. It commonly appears with objects such as traditions, rights, cultural heritage, memories, or the environment. For example, they preserve traditions or maintain long-standing practices. The form can also convey the idea of upholding standards or safeguards in ongoing contexts.

Morphology and aspect are central to its meaning. The imperfective aspect, expressed by zachovávať, emphasizes continuity or repetition (they preserve). Its perfective counterpart, zachovajú (or related forms), signals a complete or single act of preservation. In practice, speakers choose between imperfective and perfective to reflect whether the emphasis is on ongoing maintenance or on a completed preservation action.

Etymology notes: zachovávajú is derived from zachovávať, the imperfective of zachovať. The root zachová- is related to the verb zachovať, with the prefix and suffix forming the imperfective pattern. This pairing with the perfective zachovajú provides typical aspectual contrasts in Slovak.

See also: preservation verbs in Slovak, aspect in Slovak verbs, zachovať.