zábava

Zábava is a Czech noun meaning entertainment, amusement, or recreation. It refers to activities, media content, or experiences pursued for enjoyment or diversion. The term can describe both passive experiences, such as watching films, listening to music, attending theatre or concerts, and active pursuits, including sports, board games, crafts, and hobbies. In everyday speech, zábava can also denote a social gathering or party designed for enjoyment.

In modern usage, zábava is used across culture and media to categorize genres and industry sectors, including film, television, radio, gaming, live events, and online content. The adjective form is zábavný, meaning entertaining or amusing.

Etymology: the word is derived from the verb bavit, to amuse, with a prefixed form that yields the noun zábava.

Regional usage: In Czech, zábava frequently appears in phrases describing leisure time (volný čas, zábava) and is linked with cultural life and the entertainment industry. In neighboring Slovakia, zábava carries a similar meaning.

History: Traditional forms of zábava include folk dances, music, and festivals, which evolved with industrialization and mass media into a broad entertainment sector. Today, zábava encompasses both high culture and popular culture, as well as informal leisure activities.