alternativní

Alternativní is a Czech adjective that denotes something relating to or characterized by an alternative. It is used for things that offer, involve, or emphasize a choice between two or more options. The term is common in everyday speech as well as in technical, economic, political, and cultural contexts. As with many Czech adjectives, it is derived from the noun alternativa (alternative) and formed with the suffix -ní to produce a modifier.

The word's etymology traces to Latin alternativus “relating to turning from one to another,” via the path of European borrowing into Czech; the form alternativní appeared in modern Czech to describe various kinds of options or substitute forms. In practice, alternativní can describe methods, approaches, products, or institutions that are not the standard or mainstream, but provide an alternative path. It is often contrasted with tradiční (traditional) or hlavní (main/primary).

Common phrases include alternativní řešení (an alternative solution), alternativní energie (alternative energy), alternativní medicína (alternative medicine), and alternativní hudba (alternative music). In computing or UI, the word may describe an option or feature that serves as a substitute or non-default choice; the adverbial form is alternativně, meaning “alternatively.”

See also: alternativa (noun), alternativně (adverb), alternativní medicína, alternativní zdroj, alternativní možnosti.