zásada

Zásada is a noun in Czech and Slovak that denotes a fundamental principle, a basis for action, or a guiding rule. It refers to a generally accepted norm that shapes judgments, behavior, or procedures. The term is used across domains such as ethics, law, science, politics, business, and everyday language.

In ethics and political theory, zásada denotes normative guidelines, for example zásada rovnosti (principle of equality) or zásada svobody (principle of freedom). In law and public administration one speaks of zásady mezinárodního práva (principles of international law) or zásady chování in organizations (principles of conduct). In science, scientists may refer to guiding principles such as zásada objektivity (principle of objectivity) or zásada parsimnie (principle of parsimony). In everyday usage, families and organizations articulate their zásady as a core set of values or rules.

Zásada often carries an abstract or aspirational sense and is distinguished from pravidlo (rule) or zákon (law) by its normative or idealized character rather than a formal, enforceable statute. Nevertheless, in practice it can serve as a standard or criterion in decision making and policy setting.

In Slovak, zásada shares the same meaning and range of usage as in Czech, with the plural zásady referring to sets of principles. The concept also has equivalents in many languages, such as principle or rule, reflecting its role as a fundamental guideline in thought and action.