nechat

Nechat is a Czech verb meaning to leave, to let, or to allow. It is used in several core senses: to leave an object in a place, to permit someone to perform an action, and to arrange for something to be done by someone else. In causative constructions with si, it describes having something done for oneself: nechat si něco udělat, as in nechat si auto opravit (to have the car repaired for oneself). It can also express letting things remain as they are, in phrases like nechat být (leave alone).

Grammatical notes: nechat is a perfective verb. Its present tense forms express future action rather than ongoing activity: já nechám, ty necháš, on/ona nechá, my necháme, vy necháte, oni nechají. The imperfective counterpart is nechávat or, in contexts emphasizing habit or repetition, nechat si in different constructions. As with many Czech verbs, compound tenses and subordinate clauses use standard verb-subject-object word order.

Common constructions and examples:

- Leaving something in place: Nechal jsem klíč na stole. (I left the key on the table.)

- Permitting someone to do something: Nechám ho jít. (I will let him go.)

- Having something done for oneself: Chci si nechat auto opravit. (I want to have my car repaired.)

- Let it be: Nechte to být. (Let it be.)

- General sense of allowing: Můžeme si to nechat pro sebe. (We can keep it to ourselves.)

Origin and cognates: nechat has deep roots in Slavic languages and is related to similar forms in neighboring languages that express leaving, permitting, or allowing. In usage, it is a versatile verb connecting actions of leaving, permitting, and arranging for services through the reflexive si and causative constructions.