obsluha

Obsluha is a noun used in Czech and Slovak that denotes service or assistance and has several related senses. It can refer to the act of operating a machine or device (the operation of equipment), to the service provided to customers (customer service), or to the people who provide that service (service staff).

In Czech usage, obsluha commonly designates service personnel in shops, restaurants, or hotels, as in obsluha zákazníka or obsluha v obchodě, and the operation of machinery, as in obsluha stroje. The corresponding verb is obsluhovat, and related forms appear in compounds such as obslužný or obslužnost.

In Slovak, obsluha carries similar meanings: service personnel, customer service, and device operation. Phrases include obsluha zákazníka and obsluha zariadenia, with the corresponding verb obsluhovať.

In Polish, the cognate obsługa also covers service, customer service, or handling and operation of equipment. It refers to service staff, the act of assisting customers, and the operation of machinery, as in obsługa maszyny.

Etymology: all three languages derive obsluha/obsługa from a common Slavic root related to serving or serving people. The term is neutral and widely used in everyday language and technical contexts, including hospitality, retail, and industry.