osudy

Osudy is a Czech noun meaning fates or destinies; it is the plural form of osud. The word is used in everyday language to refer to the life paths and fortunes of people, groups, or events, and it frequently appears in literary and journalistic contexts to evoke themes of chance, consequence, and life trajectory.

In literature, osudy is a common titular and thematic element, signaling narratives that center on the fortunes of characters or communities. The most well-known instance is the title Osudy dobrého vojáka Švejka, which translates to The Fate of Good Soldier Švejk and refers to the experiences of the protagonist during World War I. The term can appear in other titles and passages that discuss how events shape individual or collective outcomes.

In translation practice, osudy is usually rendered as fates or destinies in English, though some uses retain the Czech form in scholarly or literary contexts. The term is also connected to broader discussions of narrative life courses, biographical storytelling, and historical trajectories in Czech-language writing.

See also: Osud, the singular form meaning fate; Fate and destiny in literature; Osudy in Croatian and Slovak usage, where related forms appear with similar meanings.