Ústupek

Ústupek is a Czech noun meaning a concession or yield—the act of giving ground in a negotiation, dispute, or bargaining. It denotes a decision or offer that aims to satisfy the other party’s demands or to facilitate agreement. The word stems from the verb ustoupit, meaning “to yield” or “to retreat,” and is closely related to terms such as concession, compromise, or ceding in English.

In usage, ústupek refers to the result of a negotiation rather than the process itself. It can carry neutral or slightly negative connotations depending on the context: a larger ústupek might be viewed as weakness in some political or corporate settings, while in diplomacy it can be a pragmatic step toward consensus. Common phrases include udělat ústupek or dát ústupek, both meaning “to make a concession.”

The concept appears across political, legal, and everyday contexts, where parties balance competing interests to reach agreement. It is typically discussed in terms of strategic negotiability and the relative value of concessions offered.

See also: Concession, Compromise, Negotiation, Yield, Ustoupit.

Note: Ústupek is primarily used in Czech-language contexts; English-language discussions use equivalent terms such as concession or compromise.