Breakdown of K přesazování potřebujeme nejen nový substrát, ale i drenážní vrstvu.
potřebovat
to need
nový
new
ale
but
i
also
Questions & Answers about K přesazování potřebujeme nejen nový substrát, ale i drenážní vrstvu.
What does k přesazování mean here, and why is k used?
K přesazování means for repotting or when repotting.
The preposition k normally takes the dative case, and one of its common uses is to express purpose or relation to an activity. In practical or instructional language, Czech often uses k + verbal noun this way.
So:
- k přesazování = for repotting
- literally something like for the activity of repotting
In English, we would often use an infinitive or a gerund, but Czech very naturally uses this noun phrase.
What exactly is přesazování? Is it a verb?
It is not a finite verb here. It is a verbal noun: a noun made from a verb.
It comes from přesazovat / přesadit, meaning to repot or to transplant.
So:
- přesazovat = to be repotting / to repot repeatedly or as a process
- přesadit = to repot successfully / as a completed action
- přesazování = repotting, the act/process of repotting
This is very common in Czech. English often uses -ing forms where Czech uses a verbal noun like this.
Why does přesazování not seem to change after k, even though k requires the dative?