cizími

Cizími is the instrumental plural form of the Czech adjective cizí, which means foreign, unfamiliar, or not belonging to someone or something in a given context. The form is used with plural nouns in the instrumental case to describe things or people as being foreign or unfamiliar to the subject, or to denote association with outsiders.

In usage, cizí appears in phrases such as s cizími lidmi (with strangers) and in expressions like v cizím prostředí (in an unfamiliar/foreign environment). The instrumental plural form cizími is typical for masculine personal or mixed groups and also appears with feminine plurals in corresponding constructions; the base adjective remains cizí while the ending changes to -mi to reflect the instrumental plural.

Etymology: cizí derives from Old Czech cizý and is related to the noun cizinec (foreigner). The root conveys the sense of foreignness, strangeness, or not belonging.

Usage note: cizí is a common adjective in everyday language, literature, and formal writing, used to contrast what is familiar to the speaker with what is foreign or unfamiliar. It can describe people, environments, ideas, or objects beyond one’s own group or culture.

See also: cizinec, zahraniční, cizí jazyk.