Ztrácím

Ztrácím is the Czech verb form meaning “I am losing” or “I lose” in the first-person singular present tense. It comes from the imperfective verb ztrácet, which covers several related senses such as misplacing something, losing possession, wasting time, and falling behind in a competition. The exact meaning depends on context.

Ztrácím is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object in the accusative. Examples: Ztrácím klíče. Ztrácím čas. The present tense forms are: já ztrácím, ty ztrácíš, on/ona ztrácí, my ztrácíme, vy ztrácíte, oni/ony ztrácejí.

Usage can be physical, as in losing objects; temporal, as in wasting time; or strategic, as in falling behind in a contest (Ztrácím náskok). It can also express more abstract loss, such as losing hope or confidence. The form does not specify intentionality. The corresponding perfective form is ztratit, used for a single act of losing something.

Etymology and cognates: ztrácet/ztratit comes from a Slavic root meaning “to lose,” with the prefix z- forming the imperfective and perfective pairs. Related verbs in other Slavic languages include Polish tracić and Russian терять, illustrating shared origins.

See also: ztratit, ztráta, ztrácet čas; and related Slavic cognates such as Polish tracić and Russian терять.