Maj

Discussion in 'Grammar & Pronunciation' started by padraig, May 15, 2009.

  1. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    What is the difference between máj -kviten ?
     
  2. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    Only in usage. Both words have the same meaning: the 5th months of the year.

    Máj (from Latin MAIVS) is used in poetry, there is also a tight connection with May Day and the liberation in 1945.

    květen (from květ = flower) is used the same way like leden, duben, etc.
     
  3. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Thanks for that,bibax. Yes, I came across Maj when I was trying to read a Czech poem.
     
  4. Alexx

    Alexx Well-Known Member

    Apart poetry, the word "Máj" is only used when referring 1st May (První máj). As well "Apríl" is only used in czech in connotation with 1st April.

    :lol:
     
  5. Sova

    Sova Well-Known Member

    "Kviten" (as opposed to "květen") sound Ukrainian to me. Perhaps it may also be used in the Slovak-Ukrainian border regions (kde sa hutoria), but someone more knowledgeable than me would have to verify this.
     
  6. Ctyri koruny

    Ctyri koruny Well-Known Member

    This was an interesting thread because I didn't know the word Máj existed in Czech!
    I'm just wondering if you didn't see it written on a calendar, in which case it might simply have been Slovak?
     
  7. Karel_lerak

    Karel_lerak Well-Known Member

    Also in proverbs or sayings:
    "Máj, půjdeme v háj"
    Studený Máj, v stodole ráj.

    or in folk(?) songs
    "To bylo v háji, v měsíci máji,
    to bylo v háji zeleném.
    To bylo v háji, v měsíci máji,
    kdy láska hoří plamenem."

    Let us both consider poetry 8)
    It is quite common to print calendars in both Czech and Slovak.
    Czech Květen = Slovak Máj.
     
  8. Ctyri koruny

    Ctyri koruny Well-Known Member

    Aye I know I have two, one at home with kittens and one in the office with Mucha lithographs. :) lovely
     

Share This Page