agresivní

Agresivní is a Czech adjective meaning tending to aggression or showing aggression. In everyday language it describes behavior, tone, or attitude characterized by hostility, forcefulness, or readiness to attack. The term is used in psychology, medicine, criminology, and journalism to describe observable traits or states such as agresivní chování, agresivní tón, or agresivní postoj.

Etymology: From Latin aggressivus via German agresiv or French agressif, ultimately from Latin aggressus “approached, attacked.” In Czech the form is agresivní; related nouns include agresivita (aggressiveness) and agresse/agrese (aggression). The Slovak cognate is agresívny; English is aggressive. The word has cognates in several Slavic languages and reflects a shared Indo-European heritage for the concept of forceful or hostile conduct.

Usage: In linguistic and clinical contexts, agresivní describes actions intended to harm or intimidate another person or animal, or displays of forceful or confrontational behavior. It can be verbal (agresivní řeč) or nonverbal, and may vary in intensity. In psychology and psychiatry, aggressiveness is discussed as a dimension of personality or as a symptom in certain disorders; in ethology or animal behavior it describes defensive or predatory actions.

Grammar: Agresivní is a regular Czech adjective and declines by gender and number (e.g., agresivní muž, agresivní žena, agresivní dítě; plural agresivní lidé). The corresponding adverb is agresivně. Related terms include agresivita (n.) and agresor (n.).

See also: aggression, aggressive behavior, aggressive communication.