budiž + Passive Participle

Formal Let-it-be Passive

Level 6

The pattern budiž + passive participle is an advanced, highly formal rhetorical device used in Czech to mean "let it be [verb]ed" or "be it [verb]ed." It is primarily found in academic writing, journalism, and formal speeches.

How It Works

While everyday Czech uses analytic forms like ať je to express "let it be," formal written Czech preserves budiž as a fossilized but highly active rhetorical formula.

Key Characteristics:

  • Function: It is used to introduce a premise, concede a point, or draw the reader's attention to a fact (e.g., "let it be noted that...").
  • Agreement: The pattern requires the short/nominal form (jmenný tvar) of the passive participle, which must agree with the subject (e.g., budiž pochválen [masculine], budiž pochválena [feminine], budiž pochváleno [neuter]). However, because it almost always introduces a že (that) clause, it defaults to the neuter singular -o (e.g., budiž řečeno). If there is a plural subject, the historically strict auxiliary is buďtež (and buďmež for 1st-person plural, e.g., buďmež pochváleni), though modern texts increasingly treat budiž as an invariable particle.
  • Register: This is strictly for formal, academic, or literary contexts. Using it productively with random verbs in spoken Czech sounds absurdly pompous.

Important Distinctions:

  • 2nd and 3rd-person commands: While rhetorical formulas use it as a 3rd-person singular imperative ("let it be"), the passive pattern also survives in archaic or poetic 2nd-person singular greetings (tykání) (e.g., Budiž pozdraven; the formal/plural equivalent is Buďtež pozdraveni) and 3rd-person religious greetings (e.g., Budiž pochválen Pán Ježíš Kristus).
  • Non-passive fossilized phrases: You will also encounter budiž in fixed expressions without a passive participle, such as Budiž světlo (Let there be light) or Budiž mu/jí země lehká (May the earth be light to him/her).
  • Standalone particle: You will often hear budiž used entirely alone as a standard conversational particle of concession to mean "Alright, fine" or "So be it." Do not confuse this with the formal passive construction.
  • Modern equivalents: For everyday speech, use ať je. For formal but productive commands, use nechť.
  • Vocabulary bonus: The noun budižkničemu (good-for-nothing) is a fun, fixed word derived from budiž + k + ničemu. While it shares the word budiž, it does not use the passive pattern itself.

Examples (4)

  1. Úvodem budiž připomenuto, co by mohlo zaznít i závěrem.

    By way of introduction, let it be recalled what could also be said in conclusion.

    Word by Word: By-introduction let-it-be recalled, what would could sound also by-conclusion.

    A classic academic framing device using the neuter participle 'připomenuto'.

  2. Budiž řečeno na rovinu, že tato hra není perfektní.

    Let it be said frankly that this game is not perfect.

    Word by Word: Let-it-be said on straight, that this game is-not perfect.

    Used to concede a point or establish a baseline truth before continuing an argument.

  3. Okrajem budiž poznamenáno, že pach již není vyjmenován jako imise.

    As an aside, let it be noted that odor is no longer listed as an emission.

    Word by Word: By-margin let-it-be noted, that odor already is-not listed as emission.

    A formal way to introduce a tangential but relevant piece of information.

  4. Budiž mu přičteno k dobru, že se alespoň omluvil.

    Let it be counted to his credit that he at least apologized.

    Word by Word: Let-it-be to-him counted to good, that himself at-least apologized.

    A common fixed phrase ('budiž přičteno k dobru') used to acknowledge a redeeming quality.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the active past-tense participle instead of the passive participle.

    Budiž řekl na rovinu, že to nefunguje.
    Budiž řečeno na rovinu, že to nefunguje.

    Because this is a passive construction, 'budiž' must be followed by the short passive participle (příčestí trpné), ending in -o, -en, -a, etc. It cannot be followed by the active past tense (l-participle).

  • Using the long adjectival form instead of the short passive participle.

    Budiž řečené na rovinu, že to nefunguje.
    Budiž řečeno na rovinu, že to nefunguje.

    Because this is a formal passive construction, you must use the short passive participle (e.g., 'řečeno', 'pozdraven'), not the long adjectival form (e.g., 'řečené', 'pozdravený') which is common in modern spoken Czech.

  • Using the pattern productively for everyday actions in casual speech.

    Budiž koupeno trochu mléka.
    Ať se koupí trochu mléka.

    Outside of established rhetorical formulas (like 'budiž řečeno' or 'budiž poznamenáno'), this pattern sounds comically archaic. For everyday indirect commands, use 'ať'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

budiž + Passive ParticipleLevel 6Formal Let-it-be Passive

Learn This First

The 'budiž + příčestí trpné' pattern is a highly formal, fossilized passive construction. To understand it, a learner needs to know how to form the passive participle and be familiar with the general concept of the periphrastic passive. Additionally, familiarity with other formal imperative markers helps in understanding the 'let it be' nuance of the word 'budiž'.

Words in This Pattern

budiž