oblíbený

Oblíbený is a Czech adjective meaning liked, favored, or popular. It describes people, objects, or works that are preferred or held in affection by a person or by a group. The nuance is that something is regularly liked or valued, rather than merely known or famous; it conveys a sense of ongoing preference.

Etymology and usage: Oblíbit si means to come to like or to win someone’s favor, and obliba denotes fondness or preference. From this, the participle-style adjective oblíbený develops to describe things that are the subject of that fondness. The word can refer to a broad audience’s taste (oblíbený film) or to a personal preference (můj oblíbený knižní žánr).

Grammar and examples: Oblíbený follows the normal Czech adjective declension. Examples:

- Tento film je oblíbený mezi diváky. (This film is popular among viewers.)

- Ta píseň je oblíbená u posluchačů. (That song is loved by listeners.)

- Naše oblíbené jídlo je polévka. (Our favorite dish is soup.)

Relation to other terms: Oblíbený contrasts with populární, which emphasizes broad public appeal, and with milovaný, which expresses intimate or emotional love. It can apply to people (oblíbený učitel), places, products, or cultural works, and is widely used in everyday speech as well as in media and writing.

See also: obliba, oblíbit si. The term is a standard part of Czech vocabulary for expressing preference and affection in a neutral, descriptive way.