jít

Jít is a Czech verb meaning to go, typically by foot. It is an intransitive verb that describes movement from one place to another and is often used with directional prepositions such as do (to), na (to, onto), z (from). It can express a single, punctual movement as well as a broader sense of going somewhere, and it contrasts with chodit, which denotes habitual or repeated movement, and with jet, which refers to traveling by vehicle.

Conjugation and common forms: In the present tense the forms are jdu, jdeš, jde, jdeme, jdete, jdou. The past tense is gendered and number-based, for example šel jsem (masc), šla jsem (fem), šlo to (neut.), šli jsme (masc/plural), šly jsme (fem plural). The future can be expressed with the synthetic forms půjdu, půjdeš, půjde, půjdeme, půjdete, půjdou, which are used to say “I will go,” “you will go,” etc. The imperative is jdi (singular) and jděte (plural or formal). The negative imperative is nejdi and nejděte.

Usage and nuances: Jít is imperfective, describing the act of going without implying completion. Its prefixed forms introduce a sense of completion or specific direction, such as dojít (to reach, to arrive), odjít (to go away), or projít (to walk through). The verb commonly appears in phrases like jít do školy (to go to school), jít pěšky (to go on foot), or jít ven (to go outside). In contrast, jet expresses travel by vehicle, and chodit expresses repeated or habitual action.

Etymology: Jít derives from Old Czech and other Slavic roots, with cognates across Slavic languages (for example Polish iść, Russian идти). It is a core, highly irregular verb in Czech syntax and morphology.