nastáva

Nastáva is a Slovak verb form meaning to occur, to take place, or to come about. It is most often encountered as the 3rd person singular present tense of the imperfective verb nastávať, used to describe events that are happening or are about to begin. The related perfective verb nastať expresses a single, completed occurrence, with its future or instantaneous sense typically conveyed by other forms such as nastane.

Grammatical notes: nastávať is an imperfective, iterative verb, so nastáva denotes ongoing or general occurrence in the present. Because nastávať is imperfective, the speaker can also use other forms to refer to the past (nastával, nastávalo) or future developments (nastávať—future in certain constructions). The perfective counterpart nastať is used for a one-time event or a definite onset, where translations often rely on future or aoristic sense, for example nastane meaning “it will occur” or “it happens.” In everyday Slovak, nastáva is widely used in journalism, literature, and everyday speech to introduce developments, changes, or circumstances.

Usage examples:

- Teraz nastáva výrazná zmena v politike. (A significant change in politics is occurring now.)

- Nastáva obdobie sucha. (An period of drought is coming.)

- Keď nastane nový rok, začnú platiť nové pravidlá. (When the new year arrives, new rules will apply.)

Etymology and related forms: nastávať derives from prefix na- and the verb stať (to stand, to become), forming a sense of beginning to occur. Related forms include nastávať (imperfective) and nastane (3rd person singular of the perfective nastať in some contexts).