dotyčný

Referential Dotyčný

Level 6

Dotyčný means "the aforementioned" or "the one in question." It is used to point back to a person or thing that was already introduced in the context.

How It Works

Dotyčný is a highly frequent referential word meaning the person or entity in question, the aforementioned, or the said [noun].

1. Grammatical Function and Morphology
It can be used as an attributive adjective (e.g., dotyčný úřad – the office in question) or, very commonly, as a standalone noun (substantivized). When referring to people, you will often see dotyčný (the man in question), dotyčná (the woman in question), or the plural dotyční (the people or individuals in question). Crucially, when used as a standalone noun, it almost exclusively refers to people. It cannot be used as a standalone noun to refer back to inanimate objects; in such cases, it must remain an attributive adjective (e.g., Kde je ten spis? Dotyčný spis se ztratil. is correct, but Dotyčný se ztratil. is incorrect for an object). It declines exactly like a standard hard adjective (paradigm mladý). For example, the accusative for a masculine animate noun (a male person) is dotyčného, while for inanimate objects it remains dotyčný.

2. Register and Tone
It belongs primarily to formal, official, journalistic, and administrative registers. It establishes a detached, objective tone. When applied to people, it can carry a distancing, bureaucratic, or even slightly dismissive or ironic flavor. While mostly formal, native speakers sometimes use it in casual speech to refer to someone anonymously or to adopt a mock-official tone.

3. A Common Myth
Early 20th-century purists condemned the use of dotyčný in the sense of 'the aforementioned' entirely, considering it a clumsy Germanism (a calque of betreffend). They argued it should only be used in its literal physical or geometric sense of 'touching' or 'tangent' (e.g., dotyčný bod = point of contact). Today, however, its referential meaning is fully standard.

4. Related and Similar Words

  • Zmíněný / Uvedený: Meaning the mentioned or the aforementioned, these are standard, neutral alternatives to the more bureaucratic dotyčný.
  • Dotčený: While it historically meant the aforementioned (now restricted to archaic legalese like shora dotčený), its primary modern meanings are affected or concerned (e.g., dotčené orgány = the affected authorities), or offended.
  • Příslušný: Means relevant or competent in terms of jurisdiction. (e.g., příslušný úřad = the competent authority).

Examples (4)

  1. Policie muže zadržela, ale dotyčný se k věci nevyjádřil.

    The police detained the man, but the individual in question did not comment on the matter.

    Word by Word: Police man detained, but in-question self to matter not-expressed.

    Used as a standalone noun (substantivized) referring to a previously mentioned male. It takes the masculine animate nominative form.

  2. Záleží na tom, co si dotyčná přeje.

    It depends on what the woman in question wants.

    Word by Word: Depends on that, what self in-question wishes.

    Used as a standalone noun referring to a female (dotyčná).

  3. Je členem dotyčné organizace.

    He is a member of the organization in question.

    Word by Word: Is member of-in-question organization.

    Used as an attributive adjective modifying a noun. It declines to match the genitive feminine noun 'organizace'.

  4. Snažili jsme se kontaktovat dotyčného, ale nezvedal telefon.

    We tried to contact the man in question, but he didn't answer the phone.

    Word by Word: Tried we self to-contact in-question, but not-lifted phone.

    Notice the masculine animate accusative ending (-ého), proving it declines like a standard hard adjective.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dotyčný' to mean 'offended' or 'personally affected'.

    Byl mými slovy velmi dotyčný.
    Byl mými slovy velmi dotčený.

    'Dotyčný' means 'the person or thing in question' (as in legal language), so it does not describe a feeling. 'Dotčený' (from 'dotknout se') means 'affected' or 'offended'. To say someone is offended, use 'dotčený'.

  • Treating 'dotyčný' as an indeclinable noun.

    Mluvil jsem s dotyčný.
    Mluvil jsem s dotyčným.

    Even when used as a standalone noun, 'dotyčný' declines exactly like a standard hard adjective (paradigm mladý). After the preposition 's' (with), it requires the instrumental case.

  • Overusing it in casual conversation instead of simple pronouns.

    Different MeaningViděl jsem Petra. Dotyčný šel do kina.
    Viděl jsem Petra. Šel do kina.

    Using 'dotyčný' in everyday casual speech sounds overly bureaucratic or robotic unless you are intentionally being ironic. Usually, a simple pronoun (or dropping the pronoun entirely) is much more natural.

How It Connects

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

dotyčnýLevel 6Referential Dotyčný

Learn This First

To understand 'dotyčný', a learner needs to be familiar with the declension of hard adjectives, as this word changes its ending based on the gender and number of the entity it refers to. Additionally, since it is a referential term used to point back to a specific person or thing already mentioned, understanding how demonstratives work in Czech provides the necessary functional context.

Words in This Pattern

dotyčný