Zrakem

Zrakem is the instrumental singular form of the Czech noun zrak, which denotes sight or vision. In Czech, zrakem functions primarily as an instrumental noun, indicating the means by which an action is performed or the instrument through which something is perceived. It is used both in literal descriptions of seeing and in metaphorical senses related to perception or foresight.

Origin and form: The base noun zrak comes from the Slavic root for sight. The form zrakem has long been part of standard Czech and is found in historical and contemporary texts. As an instrument, it typically appears with verbs of perception or with constructions expressing observation.

Usage and style: Zrakem is most common in formal, literary, or journalistic registers. It appears less frequently in everyday speech, where phrases such as použitím zraku (using the sense of sight) or z očí (with the eyes) may be preferred. In figurative uses, zrakem can refer to mental or figurative perception, not just visual observation; for example, it can convey astute observation or metaphorical foresight.

See also: zrak, vidění, pohled, zrakový.