chrání

Chrání is the third-person singular present tense form of the Czech verb chránit, which means to protect or safeguard. It is used when the subject performs the act of protection in the present, for example in sentences like “On chrání své děti” (He protects his children) or “Zákon chrání práva občanů” (The law protects citizens’ rights). The verb is transitive and commonly used with concrete or abstract objects.

Etymology and related forms: chránit comes from older Slavic roots, with related terms such as ochrana (protection) formed from the same semantic base. The stem chrán- appears in adjectives and participles describing something that is protected or protected status, such as chráněný (protected).

Usage and grammar: chrání governs a direct object in the Czech case system. Present-tense forms include já chráním, ty chráníš, on/ona chrání, my chráníme, vy chráníte, oni chrání. The past tense is formed with the appropriate auxiliary and the participle chránil/chránila/chránilo, and the infinitive is chránit. Imperative forms are chraň (singular) and chraňte (plural).

Contexts: the verb is versatile across domains, including personal protection (chrání rodinu), data or privacy protection (chrání data), legal or moral protections (chrání práva), and safety or security measures (chrání majetek). It is common in journalism, law, technology, and everyday language, reflecting the general concept of guarding against harm.

See also: chránit, ochrana, ochranný.