velmi

Velmi is an adverb in Czech that means "very" or "extremely" and functions as a degree modifier. It is used to amplify adjectives, other adverbs, and past participles, as in examples like "velmi dobrý" (very good) and "velmi rychle" (very quickly).

In usage, velmi is common in both spoken and written Czech and can convey a strong, but not necessarily extreme, degree of quality or intensity. It sits alongside other intensifiers such as "opravdu," "skutečně," or "moc," with nuances ranging from formal to casual. The choice of intensifier can affect tone and emphasis in a sentence.

Etymologically, stejně as the adjective "velký" (big, great), the adverb "velmi" developed in Slavic languages as a means to express high degree. Its form is characteristic of Czech and is closely related to the Slovak equivalent "veľmi" (with the diacritic). In cross-linguistic contexts, many Slavic languages employ similar adverbs to express intensity, though exact spellings and cognates vary.

Outside of Czech, very similar forms exist in related languages, and "velmi" is sometimes encountered in language-learning discussions as a representative example of a common degree adverb. It remains a standard and widely understood element of Czech grammar for indicating strong emphasis.