zvolit

Zvolit is a Czech verb meaning to elect or to choose, especially in formal contexts such as elections, appointments, or official decisions. It can also mean to decide on something for oneself, as in zvolit si z nabídek. The verb is perfective; its imperfective counterpart is volit, which covers the act of voting, while zvolit emphasizes a completed selection or decision.

Zvolit is transitive and typically takes a direct object referring to a person or a thing being chosen. In political or organizational contexts it denotes formal selection by vote, for example: Byl zvolen do funkce nebo Zvolili ho za prezidenta. In everyday language it can also mean to opt for or decide on something, as in Zvolil si červenou barvu.

Grammatically, zvolit forms in the present tense are used for future meanings (zvolím, zvolíš, zvolí, zvolíme, zvolíte, zvolí). The past participle is zvolen, with gendered forms such as byl zvolen (m), byla zvolena (f), bylo zvoleno (n). The imperative forms include Zvolte! (plural or formal) and Zvol si! (singular).

Etymology traces zvolit to the base volit with the prefix z-, which adds a sense of completion or result. The term is common in official language, media, and discourse surrounding elections and decisions.

See also: volba (election), volič (voter), volit (to vote). Examples illustrate its dual use: political selection and personal choosing.