In the series "Things that confuse me about Czech": multiple versions of a certain declension. I'll give you a few examples.
- The nominative plural (and vocative) of 'muž' can be both 'muži' and 'mužové'.
- The locative singular of 'hrad' can be 'hradě' or 'hradu'.
- The locative singular of 'pivo' can be 'pivu' or 'pivě'.
- And 'pán' can change to either 'pánu' or 'pánovi' in the singular dative and locative, or to 'páni' or 'pánové' in the plural nominative and vocative.
Can you just pick either one? Does it matter which one you use, or is there a unwritten rule about which versions are frowned upon? For 'pán' I know that 'pánové' generally is the preferred plural, but is it then wrong to use 'páni'? Why does 'páni' exist when it's not being used?
Also, how do I know which version to use with other words? I've read this post by user perskychrt, but it seems like it's a language feature you just have to know.
Thanks!