rozprostít

Rozprostít is a Czech verb meaning to spread out, unfold, or lay out something so that it covers a surface or extends over an area. The word combines the prefix roz- with the verb prostřít/prostřít, signaling the sense of broadening or unfurling beyond a small, initial point. In dictionaries you will find both the perfective form rozprostřít and the imperfective rozprostírat (with its present forms rozprostírám, rozprostíráš, rozprostírá, etc.).

The primary, literal use is transitive: to spread something flat or open on a surface. Examples include rozprostřít ubrus na stole (to spread a tablecloth on the table) or rozprostřít mapu na stole (to lay out a map). The verb also covers unfurling or spreading objects such as plachtu (a sail) or textiles.

Intransitive use exists as se rozprostřít, meaning to spread or extend over an area or surface on its own. This is often applied to phenomena or landscapes: krajina se rozprostírá po údolí (the landscape extends along the valley) or mlha se rozprostírá nad městem (the fog spreads over the city).

Metaphorically, rozprostřít can describe the dispersion or expansion of influence, networks, or processes, as in rozprostřít vliv po regionu or rozprostřít síť kontaktů.

In grammar, rozprostřít is the perfective aspect (a single, completed action), while rozprostírat is imperfective (ongoing or repeated action). The imperative form is rozprostřete (spread out).