sbratelství

Sbratelství is a term used in Czech and related languages to denote the state or process of forming a brotherhood or close alliance among individuals or groups. It connotes mutual obligation, solidarity, and shared identity, whether through religious affiliation, guild ties, or civic association. The concept can refer to a formal organization, such as a religious fraternity or student society, or to a looser network of mutual support.

Etymology: The word derives from brat (brother) plus the suffix -elství, with the prefix s- indicating together or joint action. The term is closely related to equivalents in other Slavic languages and expresses the idea of a collective bond built on shared purpose or lineage.

Historical and social usage: In medieval and early modern Central Europe, sbratelství described organized networks of brothers within religious communities, lay confraternities, or craft guilds. In modern contexts, it may describe voluntary associations, university fraternities, or international religious and humanitarian networks. In wartime language, the word can also refer to fraternization with an enemy, a usage that carries a different ethical or political nuance.

Related terms and distinctions: The noun bratrstvo (brotherhood) is closely related but lacks the prefix s-. Sbratelství emphasizes formal ties, mutual obligations, and a sense of shared identity beyond everyday friendship. Other related forms include sbratření (the act of fraternizing) and cognates in other languages.

See also: fraternity, brotherhood, confraternity.