kém

Kým is a word used in Czech and Slovak with two related but distinct functions. In both languages it is the instrumental form of the interrogative pronoun kdo (Czech) / kto (Slovak), meaning “whom.” It is most often found in questions and in clauses following a preposition, especially after s (meaning “with”). For example, Czech: S kým mluvíš? (“With whom are you speaking?”). Slovak: S kým si píšeš? (“With whom are you writing?”).

In addition to its interrogative use, Slovak has a temporal use of kým as a conjunction meaning “until” or “as long as.” It introduces subordinate clauses of time. For example, Slovak: Kým nepríde, počkám. (“Until he comes, I will wait.” or, more naturally in English, “As long as he doesn’t come, I’ll wait.”). This conjunction function is not part of Czech grammar, where kým is generally restricted to the instrumental pronoun.

Pronunciation and orthography are straightforward in standard Slovak and Czech; both languages retain the same spelling for this word, written as káchar kým with the letter í.

Summary: kým primarily functions as the instrumental form of “who” in questions and after prepositions in Czech and Slovak. In Slovak, it also serves as a temporal conjunction meaning “until” or “as long as.” The meaning is largely determined by context and by the surrounding clause. See also kdo/kto and the related pronouns and conjunctions in Slavic interrogatives and temporals.