Zastavte

Zastavte is a Czech verb form meaning "stop" that functions as an imperative directed at multiple people. It is the second-person plural imperative of the verb zastavit, which means to stop or halt. In use, Zastavte is typically followed by an object or complemented by a phrase, such as Zastavte auto (Stop the car) or Zastavte na červenou (Stop at red). The form can also appear on signs and in brief commands where a group is addressed.

The reflexive form Zastavte se adds the sense of “stop yourselves” or “cease moving,” and is the common way to tell a group to come to a halt in a non-traffic context. These constructions illustrate how Czech imperatives adapt to different addressing modes while maintaining the same root meaning.

Etymology and grammar: Zastavte derives from the verb zastavit, with standard Czech endings for the second-person plural imperative. It contrasts with Zastav!, the singular imperative used to address a single person. Other related forms include zastavit (to stop) and nouns such as zastavení (the act of stopping) and zastávka (a stop or bus stop).

Usage notes: Zastavte is primarily a direct instruction, frequent in traffic control, safety communications, crowd management, and manuals. In casual speech, speakers are more likely to use the singular Zastav! for one person, or Zastavte se to address a group more naturally.

In culture and media, Zastavte may appear as a title, motto, or slogan in Czech-language works, but it remains mainly a grammatical command form rather than a stand-alone concept. See also zastavit, zastavení, zastávka.