otec

Otec is the standard word for “father” in Czech and Slovak. It refers to a male parent and is used in everyday speech, literature, education, and formal contexts. As a common noun, it participates in the inflection system of Slavic languages, with forms that vary by language and grammatical case.

Etymology and cognates: Otec originates from Proto-Slavic, with cognates found in other Slavic languages, such as Russian otets. The word represents a basic familial term that has persisted across centuries and remains widely used in both rural and urban speech.

Usage and context: In Czech and Slovak, otec functions as the ordinary term for one’s father. It appears in family conversations, prayers, storytelling, and various cultural expressions. In addition to its literal meaning, the word carries social and cultural associations related to family hierarchy, lineage, and responsibility, though its usage is generally neutral and non-pejorative.

Capitalization and onomastics: While primarily a common noun, Otec can appear as a surname or part of a proper name in some contexts, though such usage is uncommon. In standard reference and encyclopedia entries, it is treated as a generic linguistic term rather than a title or given name.

See also: Father, parent, family terminology in Slavic languages. For related linguistic information, see Czech and Slovak language articles and Slavic etymology references.