ochutnat

Ochutnat is a Czech verb meaning to taste or to sample something, typically by taking a small amount in order to assess flavor, quality, or suitability. The term is commonly used for food and drink, but it can also apply to medicines or other consumables. In practical use, ochutnat expresses a completed act of tasting, as opposed to simply trying a taste over time.

Etymology and form: Ochutnat is formed from the noun chuť (taste) with the prefix o-, producing a perfective verb. Its imperfective counterpart is ochutnávat, which denotes the act of tasting repeatedly or habitually. The verb is transitive and governs a direct object in the accusative (e.g., ochutnat víno, ochutnat jídlo). In contrast, the related verb chutnat is intransitive and describes whether something tastes a certain way (e.g., tomuto jídlu chutná).

Usage notes: Ochutnat si is a common construction meaning to sample something for oneself, often implying a short or cautious tasting. The imperative form is Ochutnej(te) to invite someone to taste. Common collocations include ochutnat víno, ochutnat dezert, or ochutnat malé množství.

See also: chuť, chutný, ochutnávka, ochutnávací.

Overall, ochutnat is a standard verb in culinary and consumer contexts, conveying the action of trying a small quantity to evaluate flavor or quality, with clear aspectual distinctions between its perfective and imperfective forms.