neustále

Neustále is a Czech adverb meaning constantly, incessantly, or without interruption. It is used to describe actions or states that persist over time or recur repeatedly, often with an emphasis on persistence rather than mere repetition. In everyday speech it is commonly compared with synonyms such as stále or pořád, but neustále typically conveys a stronger sense of ceaseless duration. Examples: Neustále prší (It is constantly raining). Snaží se neustále zlepšovat (He tries to improve continuously).

Etymology and range of meaning: The word is built from the adjective ustálý, meaning steady or constant, with the prefix ne- forming a lexicalized sense of ongoing repetition or persistence. In modern Czech, neustále expresses a high degree of uninterrupted action and is used across formal and informal registers. While it overlaps with stále and pořád, neustále often carries a more emphatic implication of unendingness.

Usage notes: Neustále modifies verbs and is commonly paired with action verbs to stress persistence, duration, or frequency. It can carry a slightly intense or emphatic tone, particularly in complaint or emphasis contexts, but remains broadly standard. In Slovak, a closely related form neustále exists with analogous meaning.

See also: synonyms and related terms include stále (still, constantly), pořád (all the time, continuously), nepřetržitě (uninterruptedly), and trvale (permanently). The choice among them depends on nuance, formality, and the speaker’s emphasis on unceasingness versus simple repetition.