zabývají

Zabývají is the present tense, third-person plural form of the Czech verb zabývat se, meaning to engage in, to occupy oneself with, or to deal with. It is used to indicate what multiple subjects are currently involved in or concerned with.

Grammatical notes: Zabývat se is a reflexive verb, and in typical sentences it is accompanied by the reflexive pronoun se (zabývají se). The form zabývají often appears with a following noun or noun phrase to specify the field or activity, for example zabývají se prací, zabývají se výzkumem, or zabývají se problémem. The verb is imperfective, expressing ongoing or repeated action; related past forms are zabývali se / zabývaly se, and the future is budou se zabývat.

Usage and nuance: The phrase is common in formal and informal contexts when describing professional, academic, or personal interests. It emphasizes the activity rather than a completed action and can describe both broad commitments and specific undertakings. It can take direct objects within the phrase with se omitted in some constructions, for instance zabývají čímž nebo zabývají se literaturou (they study literature) in contexts where the meaning is clear.

Etymology and related forms: The verb zabývat se derives from a combination of za- (a prefix with various senses) and bývat, conveying ongoing or habitual action in the sense of being occupied with something. Related nouns include zabývání (engagement, occupation) and phrases formed around the idea of occupation or concern.