Autolýza je před kynutím.

Je is the 3rd person singular present tense of být meaning to be.

So:

• Autolýza je... = Autolysis is...

In Czech, you normally keep je in the present tense in this kind of statement. Unlike in some languages, you usually do not omit is here.

Because the preposition před requires the instrumental case when it means before in time.

So:

• basic form: kynutí
• after před: před kynutím

This is a very common pattern:

• před pečením = before baking
• před vařením = before cooking
• před spaním = before sleeping

So před kynutím means before proofing / before rising.

The dictionary form is kynutí.

Kynutí is a verbal noun, related to the verb kynout or vykynout, and in baking it refers to rising or proofing.

Here it appears in the instrumental singular:

• nominative: kynutí
• instrumental: kynutím

With před, Czech uses different cases depending on the meaning.

• instrumental = before / in front of in a static or time sense
• accusative = motion to a position in front of something

In your sentence, před means before in time, so instrumental is required:

• před kynutím = before proofing

This is the same idea as:

• před obědem = before lunch
• před začátkem = before the beginning

Yes, you could say Před kynutím je autolýza, and it would still be understandable.

Czech word order is more flexible than English. The version

• Autolýza je před kynutím

is a neutral, straightforward statement.

If you say

• Před kynutím je autolýza

the focus shifts slightly toward before proofing.

So both are possible, but the original version is the most neutral if you are simply stating the sequence.

Because Czech has no articles.

English uses:

• the autolysis
• the proofing

Czech usually just says:

• autolýza
• kynutí

Whether something means a, an, or the is understood from context.

A rough English-style guide would be:

• autolýza ≈ ow-toh-LEE-zah
• je ≈ yeh
• před ≈ something like przhed or przhet
• kynutím ≈ KIH-noo-teem

A few useful details:

• ý is a long ee-like vowel
• j is pronounced like English y
• ř in před is a specifically Czech sound, difficult for learners
• stress in Czech is usually on the first syllable:
  • AUtolýza
  • KYnutím

It is mainly a technical/specialized term, especially in baking and food contexts.

It is not an everyday household word for many speakers, but it is perfectly normal in the right context. A Czech baker or someone interested in bread-making would understand it.

So this sentence sounds like a baking instruction or explanation, not casual everyday conversation.

Kynutí is a verbal noun.

That means it comes from a verb but behaves like a noun:

• verb: kynout = to rise, to proof
• noun: kynutí = rising, proofing

English does something similar with words like baking, cooking, or rising.

In this sentence, Czech uses the noun form after the preposition:

• před kynutím = before proofing

Yes. That would be a more expanded way to express the idea.

Compare:

• před kynutím = before proofing / before the dough rises
• před tím, než těsto kyne = before the dough rises

The version in your sentence is shorter and more compact, which is very common in instructions and technical descriptions.

Yes. In this sentence, je před is being used to describe sequence:

• Autolýza je před kynutím = Autolysis comes before proofing

So although it literally looks like is before, in natural English you might often translate it as:

• Autolysis comes before proofing
• Autolysis happens before proofing

That is often the most natural way to understand it.