vyhnout se + Dative

Dative After Vyhnout Se

Level 5

In Czech, the verb vyhnout se (perfective) and its imperfective pair vyhýbat se mean 'to avoid', 'to dodge', or 'to steer clear of'. Unlike in English, where 'avoid' takes a direct object, these Czech verbs require the dative case.

How It Works

This pattern is highly frequent in both casual speech and formal writing.

Key points to remember:

  • Prepositionless dative: The verb takes a direct, prepositionless dative object. Do not insert prepositions like k or proti.
  • Mandatory 'se': The reflexive pronoun se is a fixed, mandatory part of this verb. Without it, vyhnout means to bend something outward or roll up (e.g., vyhnout rukávy or vyhnout okraj).
  • Avoiding infinitives: Following this verb directly with an infinitive is a common anglicism to avoid in standard Czech, though it is sometimes heard in casual speech. To express avoiding an action, you should use a verbal noun in the dative (e.g., vyhnout se placení), which is the direct equivalent of the English 'avoid + [gerund/-ing]' pattern, or a subordinate clause. In formal/standard Czech, because the verb strictly governs the dative case, it uses the dative demonstrative pronoun tomu as a bridge to the subordinate clause (e.g., vyhnout se tomu, aby...). However, while prescriptively incorrect, native speakers frequently omit tomu in casual speech and even published writing (e.g., vyhnout se, aby...).
  • It applies to both aspects: Both aspectual verb pairs govern the dative. Use vyhnout se (perfective) for a single, successful instance of avoidance, and vyhýbat se (imperfective) for habitual or continuous avoidance.
  • Literal and figurative use: You can avoid a physical obstacle (vyhnout se překážce) or an abstract concept like a question or responsibility (vyhnout se odpovědi).
  • Pronoun usage: When avoiding a person, ensure you use the dative forms of personal pronouns in oblique cases (e.g., mu, jí, jim), not the accusative. To say 'I avoided it' (referring to a situation or object), you must use the dative demonstrative pronoun tomu (e.g., Vyhnul jsem se tomu).
  • Inevitability: The negative form nevyhnout se is frequently used to express that something was inevitable or couldn't be avoided (e.g., Nevyhnul se trestu).
  • Reciprocal meaning: The verb is also frequently used to mean "to pass each other" (e.g., when two vehicles or people meet on a narrow path). In this case, it functions with a reciprocal se. When only one subject is the focus, you can use the structure vyhnout se s + instrumental (e.g., vyhnout se s protijedoucím autem).

Do not confuse this verb with vyvarovat se (to beware of / avoid doing), which strictly requires the genitive case. However, be aware that native Czech speakers frequently make the mistake of using the dative with vyvarovat se (e.g., saying vyvarovat se chybám instead of the correct vyvarovat se chyb) due to contamination from vyhnout se. Also distinguish it from zabránit + dativ (to prevent), which takes the dative but means stopping an event entirely rather than just escaping its path.

Examples (6)

  1. Řidič se na poslední chvíli vyhnul překážce.

    The driver avoided the obstacle at the last moment.

    Word by Word: Driver himself at last moment avoided obstacle-DAT.

    A literal, physical avoidance. The feminine noun 'překážka' becomes 'překážce' in the dative.

  2. Vyhnul se odpovědi a začal mluvit o něčem jiném.

    He avoided the answer and started talking about something else.

    Word by Word: Avoided himself answer-DAT and started to-talk about something else.

    A metaphorical avoidance. The noun 'odpověď' takes the dative form 'odpovědi'.

  3. Raději by ses mu měl vyhnout.

    You'd better stay out of his way.

    Word by Word: Rather would yourself him-DAT should avoid.

    Using the dative pronoun 'mu' (him). Notice the correct ordering of the second-position clitics 'by ses mu'.

  4. Snažím se vyhýbat stresovým situacím.

    I try to avoid stressful situations.

    Word by Word: Try myself to-avoid stressful situations-DAT.

    Using the imperfective 'vyhýbat se' for a repeated, habitual action. 'Situacím' is dative plural.

  5. Dvě auta se na úzké silnici nevyhnou.

    Two cars cannot pass each other on a narrow road.

    Word by Word: Two cars themselves on narrow road not-avoid.

    An example of the reciprocal meaning of 'vyhnout se', describing two objects passing each other in opposite directions.

  6. Na té úzké cestě jsem se stěží vyhnul s protijedoucím autem.

    I barely managed to pass the oncoming car on that narrow road.

    Word by Word: On that narrow road am myself barely avoided with oncoming car-INST.

    Using the reciprocal structure 'vyhnout se s + instrumental' when focusing on one subject passing another.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative case instead of the dative.

    Vyhýbám se ho.
    Vyhýbám se mu.

    Because 'avoid' is a transitive verb in English, learners often try to use the accusative direct object ('ho'). Remember that vyhnout/vyhýbat se strictly requires the prepositionless dative case ('mu').

  • Using an infinitive to express avoiding an action.

    Snažím se vyhnout platit daně.
    Snažím se vyhnout placení daní.

    Unlike English 'avoid doing something', you cannot follow this verb with an infinitive in Czech. You must use a verbal noun in the dative case (e.g., 'placení'), which is the direct equivalent of the English 'avoid + [gerund/-ing]' pattern, or a subordinate clause (e.g., 'vyhnout se tomu, abych platil').

  • Confusing vyhnout se (dative) with vyvarovat se (genitive).

    Chci se vyhnout chyb.
    Chci se vyhnout chybám.

    Vyhnout se takes the dative ('chybám'). If you want to use the genitive ('chyb'), you must use the verb vyvarovat se (to beware of / avoid making).

How It Connects

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vyhnout se + DativeLevel 5Dative After Vyhnout Se

Learn This First

To learn the pattern 'vyhnout se + dativ', a learner needs to be familiar with the dative case endings for nouns. Additionally, since 'vyhnout se' is a reflexive verb, knowledge of how reflexive particles work is required. Finally, understanding the '-nout' verb conjugation class helps in correctly forming the verb itself.

Words in This Pattern

vyhnout