zánět spojivek
[zaːɲɛt spojɪvɛk]
The English phrase pink eye is translated into Czech as zánět spojivek.
The phrase zánět spojivek is used to refer to the medical condition known as pink eye.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, zánět spojivek means "inflammation of the conjunctiva".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
zánět spojivek is the standard medical and formal term used by doctors and in official contexts. In casual conversation, people might simply say červené oči (red eyes) to describe the symptom, whereas zánět spojivek is the specific diagnosis.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term zánět spojivek is a noun phrase where zánět is the singular noun and spojivek is the genitive plural of spojivka (conjunctiva).
Did you know?
- The word zánět shares a root with the verb zanítit, which can describe something being set on fire or ignited. This creates a linguistic connection between the 'inflammation' of the eye and the idea of a burning sensation.
- The term spojivka comes from the Czech verb spojit, meaning 'to connect' or 'to join'. This describes the membrane's function of joining the eyelid to the eyeball.
- In Czech, 'pink' is růžový, but you will almost never hear a Czech person use the word růžový to describe a medical eye condition.
Examples in context
- Mám červené oči, bojím se, že mám zánět spojivek.I have red eyes, I'm afraid I have pink eye.
- Mám silný zánět spojivek.I have a bad pink eye.
- Lékař mi potvrdil zánět spojivek.The doctor confirmed pink eye for me.
Example conversation
Kateřina is telling Jakub why she cannot go to the party.
- KateřinaBohužel nemůžu přijít, mám zánět spojivek.Unfortunately I cannot come, I have pink eye.
- JakubTo zní špatně, je to hodně bolestivé?That sounds bad, is it very painful?
- KateřinaTrochu ano, ale už beru kapky.A little bit, but I am already taking drops.
- JakubTak se brzy uzdrav, Kateřino.Then get well soon, Kateřina.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry zánět spojivek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zánět, CC BY-SA 4.0.
