Zráky

Zráky is a Czech noun that can be used to refer to people who betray others, i.e., traitors. In standard contemporary Czech, the common term is zrádce with the plural zrádci. The form zráky is not common in neutral modern prose and is generally considered archaic, dialectal, or literary. It may appear in older texts, folk narratives, or stylistically marked writing to evoke a historical or rough tone. When encountered, zráky functions as a plural noun and carries a strong pejorative sense related to treason and disloyalty.

Usage and context: Zráky is typically found in contexts aiming for a rustic, historical, or emphatic mood. In everyday speech and formal writing, speakers would normally use zrádci or construct phrases like ti, kdo zradili, depending on the desired tone. The term can appear in literature, folklore, or historical accounts to reflect regional speech patterns or to create a particular atmosphere.

Relation to related terms: Zráky is closely connected to zrada (betrayal) and zradit (to betray). The standard vocabulary for a traitor remains zrádce/zrádci, with zráky serving as a less common, borderline archaic or stylistic variant.

See also: zrada, zradit, zrádce, zrádci.