vykopat

Vykopat is a Czech verb meaning to dig up, to excavate, or to unearth. It refers to the physical act of removing earth to uncover something buried, such as a hole, a well, a grave, or an archaeological find. The term can also be used figuratively to mean to uncover or reveal information, facts, or evidence that was hidden.

Etymology and aspect: Vykopat is formed from the verb kopat (to dig) with the prefix vy-, which in Czech often indicates completion or outward movement. The prefix generally marks a definite, completed action, so vykopat is commonly used as a perfective verb. Its imperfective counterpart is vykopávat, which describes ongoing or repeated digging.

Conjugation and usage: Vykopat is transitive. In standard Czech it denotes a completed digging action and is typically employed with direct objects such as díra (hole), studna (well), hrob (grave), kostra (skeleton), or archeologické nálezy (archaeological finds). Examples: Zahradníci vykopali hlubokou jámu pro základový pás. Archeologové vykopali nález z doby bronzové. Figuratively, the verb can mean to uncover or reveal information, as in an investigative context.

Related terms: kopat (to dig), vykopávat (imperfective form, to dig up repeatedly or progressively), vyhrabat (to dig out), vyhloubit (to hollow out), exhumovat (to exhume; more formal/legal).

See also: Kopat, Vykopávky, Exhumace.