pomlouvat

Pomlouvat is a Czech verb meaning to slander or to speak ill of someone behind their back. It refers to making statements that are harmful, often untrue or insufficiently verified, about a person or group with the aim of damaging their reputation. The act is typically associated with private remarks or gossip, and the statements may be framed as facts rather than opinions. Related noun is pomluva, denoting a slander or defamatory statement; the related perfective verb is pomluvit, while pomlouvání describes the ongoing practice of backbiting.

Etymology and forms: The verb is connected to the noun pomluva and to the broader Czech root related to speaking. The prefix po- adds a sense of directed action or completion. The term has been in common use in Czech language for centuries and remains prevalent in contemporary speech, media, and legal discussions.

Usage and nuance: Pomlouvat generally carries a negative moral assessment. It implies intentional, often baseless harm to another’s reputation, as opposed to ordinary criticism or disagreement. Distinctions are sometimes drawn between pomlouvat and klebetit (to gossip about private matters) or uražet (to insult), though overlaps exist in everyday usage.

Legal and social context: In the Czech Republic, defamation (pomluva) can carry civil liability and, in serious cases, criminal implications. In journalism and public discourse, pomlouvání is frequently cited as an improper or harmful behavior, particularly when statements are unverified or malicious.

Examples: Pomlouval svého kolegu za zády. Pomlouvání bez důkazů může mít právní důsledky.