Zvukem

Zvukem is the instrumental singular form of the Slavic noun zvuk, most commonly found in Czech. The root word zvuk means "sound" and derives from Proto-Slavic *zvukъ, a cognate of words for sound across Slavic languages (e.g., Russian zvuk, Polish dźwięk). As an instrumental case form, zvukem is used to indicate means, accompaniment, cause, or manner—often translated into English as "with sound," "by sound," or "through sound."

In Czech grammar, the declension of zvuk in the singular appears as: nominative zvuk, genitive zvuku, dative zvuku, accusative zvuk, vocative zvuku, locative zvuku, instrumental zvukem. Example uses include phrases such as "Dům se otřásal zvukem hudby" (The house trembled with the sound of music) and "Identifikovali je zvukem" (They identified them by sound).

Phonetically, in Czech zvukem is pronounced approximately /zvukɛm/, with stress typically on the first syllable. The form appears in literary, journalistic, and colloquial contexts where the instrumental case is required. Related derivatives and compounds combine zvuk with terms for instruments, technology, or perception (e.g., zvuková stopa, "soundtrack"). While the exact instrumental ending differs across Slavic languages (for example, Russian uses zvukom), zvukem is characteristic of Czech usage and certain closely related dialects.