Zbavit

Zbavit is a verb used in Czech and Slovak to express removing, depriving, or freeing someone or something from another thing, obligation, or right. In English, it is generally rendered as “to deprive” or “to rid (someone) of (something).”

Usage and construction: Zbavit koho čeho takes a direct object for the person and a genitive object for the thing being deprived. For example, “Zbavil ho majetku” means “He deprived him of his property.” The reflexive form “zbavit se” means to get rid of something oneself, as in “Zbavil se starostí” (he got rid of his worries). The imperfective form is “zbavovat” and the perfective is “zbavit,” with prefixal verbs often signaling completed actions in informal or legal contexts.

Grammatical notes: In Czech and Slovak, the verb is common in formal, administrative, and journalistic language when describing withdrawal of rights, property, or privileges. The reflexive use is especially frequent with everyday notions of releasing oneself from burdens or unnecessary things. The verb pairs commonly with related expressions describing removal, exemption, or relief from obligations.

Translations and equivalents: The core meaning overlaps with verbs like “deprive,” “strip” or “rid of” in English. In Slovak, the cognate “zbaviť” functions similarly, with the reflexive form “zbaviť sa” used to indicate self-removal of something. While closely related, usage can vary by register and region, and some contexts may prefer more specific terms such as “okradnúť” for theft or “oslobodiť” for freeing from captivity.

Examples: Zbavil ho majetku. Zbavil se starostí. Zbavte se zbytečných nákladů.