Czech language basics

This article covers the basics of the Czech language, starting with the alphabet and its pronunciation, followed by common spelling patterns, basic vocabulary words and phrases, and ending with an overview of Czech grammar.

Czech alphabet, pronunciation and spelling

Czech is written with the Latin alphabet, while some of the other Slavic languages use the Cyrillic alphabet. English is also written with the Latin alphabet, but Czech has some additional letters which don’t exist in English. These are:

• Vowels: á, é, ě, í, ó, ú, ů, ý
• Consonants: č, ď, ch, ň, ř, š, ť, ž

The pronunciation of Czech vowels

Below is a list of the vowels in the Czech alphabet, together with example words and audio recordings to hear their pronunciation.

	Sound	Example words
A a	like [u] in but	tady (here) pravda (truth)
Á á	like [a] in father	já (I) rádi (glad) názor (opinion)
E e	like [e] in let	ne (no) cena (price) pes (dog)
É é	like [ai] in fair	lidé (people) mléko (milk)
Ě ě	like [ye] in yes	někdo (someone) město (city) světlo (light)
I i	like [i] in lift	ulice (street) zima (winter) pocit (feeling)
Í í	like [ee] in cheese	prosím (please) mír (peace) jídlo (food)
O o	like [o] in knot	slovo (word) pomoc (help) noc (night)
Ó ó	like [oo] in floor	kód (code)
U u	like [u] in push	nula (zero) kufr (suitcase) vzduch (air)
Ú ú	like [oo] in pool	úsměv (smile) účet (account) úkol (task)
Ů ů	like [oo] in pool	dům (house) důvod (reason)
Y y	like [i] in lift	byt (apartment) ryba (fish)
Ý ý	like [ee] in cheese	týden (week) výtah (elevator) sýr (cheese)

The pronunciation of Czech consonants

Here is a table with the consonants in the Czech alphabet. For each of these Czech consonants an audio recording of an example word is provided to show its pronunciation.

Czech alphabet	Pronunciation guide	Example word
B b	like [b] in bed	nebo (or)
C c	like [ts] in bats	co (what)
Č č	like [ch] in check	proč (why)
D d	like [d] in doom	duben (April)
Ď ď	like [du] in duke	loď (ship)
F f	like [f] in football	flétna (flute)
G g	like [g] in good	funguje (works)
H h	like [h] in hot	houba (mushroom)
Ch ch	like [ch] in loch	chyba (error)
J j	like [y] in yes	jeden (one)
K k	like [k] in kiss	kino (cinema)
L l	like [l] in love	milovat (love)
M m	like [m] in mother	mouka (flour)
N n	like [n] in no	ano (yes)
Ň ň	like [ni] in onion	píseň (song)
P p	like [p] in past	přítel (friend)
Q q	like [q] in quail	/
R r	like [r] rat (rolled ‘r’)	pro (for)
Ř ř	like [rg] in bourgeois	tři (three)
S s	like [s] in snake	svět (world)
Š š	like [sh] in shake	náš (our)
T t	like [t] in tap	otec (father)
Ť ť	like [tu] in tune	chuť (taste)
V v	like [v] in vet	velmi (very)
W w	like [v] in vet	/
X x	like [x] in complex	existovat (exist)
Z z	like [z] in zone	později (later)
Ž ž	like [s] in measure	život (life)

Czech Pronunciation tips

Czech pronunciation tends to be straightforward. Unlike in English, where the pronunciation of certain letters and groups differs greatly depending on the word (e.g., the [oo] in “blood” and “good”), the Czech language is much more consistent. In general, Czechs pronounce everything the way it’s spelled.

Still, there are some rules and tips one should keep in mind:

Stressed syllables in Czech

In Czech, the stress is almost always on the first syllable of each word. Here are some examples:

• systém (system) – the stress is on sys
• mouka (flour) – the stress is on mou
• zelenina (vegetables) – the stress is on ze

There are some exceptions to this rule. One-syllable prepositions usually form a unit with the following word – when this happens, the stress is only on the preposition, not the first syllable of the following word. For example:

• kolo (bike) → na kole (on the bike)

Czech accent marks: dashes and hooks

The Czech alphabet uses two types of accents:

• dashes (such as in á, í )
• hooks (č, š)

Dashes are used to lengthen a vowel. Think of the difference between “father” [á] and “but” [a].

Hooks are used to soften the sound of consonants (and the vowel [e]). For example, [š] is pronounced as [sh], [č] is pronounced as [cz/ch], etc.

Note: In the case of the letter [u], Czech also uses a small circle to make the vowel longer – i.e., [ů].

The letters [y] and [i] are pronounced the same in Czech

In Czech, there is no difference between [y] and [i] when it comes to pronunciation. Both [i] and [y] are pronounced like [i] in “lift”, while [ý] and [í] are pronounced like [ee] in “cheese”.

There is, however, a grammatical difference between these two letters. Czech children spend many years learning which of the two letters to use in which word.

For example: the Czech words « byt » and « bit » may sound the same, but each of these words means something completely different. « Byt » means “apartment”, while « bit » means “beaten”.

Basic Czech spelling patterns

The letters q, w, x are rarely used

While these three letters are included in the Czech alphabet, Czechs rarely use them. Typically, they are only used in foreign words.

The difference between the letters [ú] and [ů]

In Czech, the letters [ú] and [ů] are pronounced the same way – like [oo] in pool. The difference between the two is in their usage.

• [ú] is used at the beginning of a word – e.g., « úhel » (angle) or « úpal » (heatstroke).
• [ů] is used in the middle or at the end of a word – e.g., « můra » (moth) or « půda » (attic).

The letter [ě] doesn't appear at the beginning of words

[ě] is the only vowel with a hook. It makes a softer sound, similar to [ye] in yes.

One thing to remember is that you cannot start a word with [ě]. This letter is only used in the middle or at the end of a word – e.g., běh (run) or štěně (puppy).

Basic Czech vocabulary words

Czech is a rich, flowery language with lots of synonyms and difficult words. There are also many regional expressions and phrases that you may only hear in some parts of the country. But before diving into the depths of the Czech language, it’s important to learn the basics.

Below are some essential Czech vocabulary words (for more, see our list of the 1000 most frequently-used Czech words).

Ano Meaning: Yes

« Ano » is the Czech word for yes. Its use is the same as in English.

In slightly less formal situations (e.g., when talking to friends or family), you can also use « jo » or « jo-jo » (meaning yes or sure) instead of « ano ».

Ne Meaning: No

« Ne » is how Czech people say no. Sometimes, you might also come across as « ne-ne » (no-no). This is used in polite, lighthearted conversations. For example:

• Nechceš přidat? (Would you like some more?) → Ne-ne, díky, jsem plná. (No, thanks, I’m full.)

Děkuji Meaning: Thank you

If you want to say “thank you” in Czech, you can say « děkuji ». Alternatively, in a more casual setting, you can use the word « díky » (thanks).

Prosím

« Prosím » is an interesting Czech word. It’s used very often and has many different meanings. Here are just some of the meanings of « prosím »:

• “Please” – « Prosím, podáš mi sůl?«  (Please, can you pass the salt?)
• “Excuse me” – « Prosím vás, kde je zastávka? » (Excuse me, where is the bus stop?)
• “Here you go” – the waiter might say « prosím » when handing you your order.
• “What was that?” – someone might ask « Prosím? » when they didn’t understand what you said.
• “You’re welcome” – as an answer to « děkuji »

« Prosím » can mean any of the above. While this may seem confusing, it rarely is. The specific meaning of « prosím » should always be obvious from the context.

Ahoj Meaning: Hi, Hello

While “ahoy” in English may remind you of a ship captain, Czechs don’t see it that way. To Czechs, « ahoj » is perhaps the most mundane and boring greeting out there – it’s how they say hello to all their friends and family.

Note: « Ahoj » is considered informal. Only say « ahoj » to people you know well. When speaking to strangers or colleagues, you may want to use a different greeting (more on that later).

Nashledanou Meaning: Goodbye

In meaning, « nashledanou » is closest to the English “see you later.” Yet, at the same time, the phrase is much more formal than that. While the meaning is closer to “see you later,” its use is closer to the English “goodbye.”

Czechs wouldn’t say « nashledanou » to their friends or family, but they might use it when saying goodbye to their colleagues or people they just met.

Dobře Meaning: Okay

Dobře is a useful little word. It literally means “well,” but it’s often used more as a way to say “okay.” For example:

• Zítra ti zavolám a domluvíme se. (I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll make plans.)
• Dobře, děkuji. (Okay, thanks.)

Basic Czech phrases

Here are some useful Czech phrases:

Dobrý den Meaning: Good day, Hello

« Dobrý den » is the Czech phrase for saying “hello” in a more formal setting. It literally means “good day”.

Technically, « dobrý den » can be used throughout the entire day. Still, some people prefer to use some of the more specific greetings, depending on the time of day. These are:

• « Dobré ráno » (Good morning)
• « Dobrý večer » (Good evening)
• « Dobrou noc » (Good night) – This isn’t a greeting, but something Czechs say before bed (much like in English).

Note: « Dobré odpoledne » (good afternoon) is rarely used in Czech. While it isn’t grammatically wrong, the expression isn’t very common and may sound archaic.

Jak se jmenuješ/jmenujete? Meaning: What’s your name?

Instead of asking someone what their name is, Czechs ask « jak se jmenujete » (what are you called)?

In formal settings, use « jak se jmenujete » – this is more polite. However, in more informal settings (i.e., talking to someone younger or a friend of a friend), you can also use « jak se jmenuješ ».

Jmenuji se… Meaning: My name is…

Again, instead of saying “my name is”, Czechs say « jmenuji se » (I am called).

Some Czechs might also say « já jsem » (I am) instead of « jmenuji se ». Both options are correct.

Těší mě Meaning: Nice to meet you

When meeting someone or being introduced to someone for the first time, Czechs often say « těší mě » as they shake each other’s hand. This phrase literally means “it is pleasing to me.”

Není zač Meaning: You’re welcome

While Czechs might often say « prosím » after being thanked, « není zač » is perhaps even more common.

It literally means “nothing for” as in “there is nothing you have to thank me for.” It’s a more polite and friendly response to « děkuji » (thank you).

An introduction to Czech grammar

Czech grammar is the biggest reason native English speakers might find the language difficult to master. Even Czech children spend years trying to learn grammar, and some adults still struggle with it years later.

Basic sentence structure

In general, Czech word order is quite flexible. There are very few rules as to where each word should go.

The one rule that you should remember, though, is that in a declarative sentence, the subject should always come before the verb. For example:

« Tereza mluví anglicky. » (“Tereza is speaking English.”)

• « Tereza » is the subject
• « mluví » is the verb (“is speaking”)

Declension and cases

The Czech language is known for its complex declension system, which involves changes in the form of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives based on gender, number, and case.

There are seven grammatical cases in Czech:

• Nominative
• Genitive
• Dative
• Accusative
• Vocative
• Locative
• Instrumental

This means that Czech words will look different depending on the context in which they are used. For example:

• Žena is the Czech word for woman – but it only looks like žena in the nominative case. For example: Já jsem žena. (I am a woman.)
• If you want to say you went somewhere with a woman, you will have to use the vocative. Žena will become ženou – Bavil jsem se s jednou ženou. (I was talking to this one woman.)

There are 2 “you” pronouns in Czech

Much like the German language, Czech has two versions of the singular “you”.

1. Ty
2. Vy

In Czech, the pronoun « ty » is used when speaking to a friend or a family member, while the pronoun « vy » is used with strangers, colleagues, and in more formal settings.

This also impacts the verb. For example:

• « Ty spíš » (“you are sleeping” – informal)
• « Vy spíte » (“you are sleeping” – formal)

It’s important not to mix these two pronouns up. A shopkeeper that you have never met might be insulted if you refer to them with « ty » instead of « vy ».

Conclusion

Czech is not an easy language. Czech grammar, especially, can be very complex and difficult to grasp.

At the same time, there are some sides to the language that make it easier for new learners, such as straightforward pronunciation. All words are pronounced the same way they’re written. This makes speaking and spelling much easier for everyone.

To learn more about the Czech language and culture, have a look at these guides to Czech girl names and Czech boy names.