Languages

Basic Words and Phrases in Czech

The flag of Czechia

The Czech Republic offers a rich history and beautiful landscapes, and speaking some Czech will enhance your experience. Exploring the charm of Prague, the beauty of Český Krumlov, or hiking in the forests becomes even more rewarding when you can communicate with the locals. Czech is a fascinating language that offers insight into the traditions and stories of the Czech people. Here are some essential Czech phrases to help you on your adventure.

About Czech

Czech is a West Slavic language spoken mainly in the Czech Republic and is the official language of the Czech Republic. It is also used in parts of Slovakia and in Czech communities around the world. Czech shares similarities with other Slavic languages ​​such as Slovak, Polish and Russian. It uses the Latin alphabet with diacritical marks. Czech has a moderately complex grammatical system, including noun conjugation, verb conjugation, and case. It borrows words from a variety of languages, including German, Latin, and French. The Czech language is an important part of Czech culture, literature and history, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
Ano
No
Ne
Please
Prosím
Yes, please
Ano, prosím
No, thank you
Ne, děkuji
Thanks
Dík
Thank you
Děkuji
Thank you very much
Děkuji mnohokrát
You're welcome
Prosím
No problem
Žádný problém
Excuse me
Sdovolením
I’m sorry
Omlouvám se
Sorry
Promiňte
Cheers!
Na zdraví!
Okay
Dobře

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Čau
Hello
Ahoj
Good day
Dobrý den
Good morning
Dobré ráno
Good afternoon
Dobré odpoledne
Good evening
Dobrý večer
Good night
Dobrou noc
Goodbye
Na shledanou
See you later!
Uvidíme se později!
Have a nice day!
Hezký den!
Bye
Ahoj

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
Jak se máš?
I'm fine
Jsem v pořádku
Good, thank you!
Dobře, děkuji!
And you?
A ty?
Nice to meet you!
Rád vás poznávám (frm)
Rád tě poznávám (m)
Ráda tě poznávám (f)
Pleased to meet you!
Těší mě
What is your name?
Jak se jmenuješ?
My name is …
Jmenuji se …
Where are you from?
Odkud jste? (frm)
Odkud jsi? (inf)
I am from …
Jsem z ...
I don't speak Czech
Nemluvím česky
Do you speak English?
Mluvíš anglicky?
I understand
Rozumím
I do not understand
Nerozumím
I like it
Líbí se mi to
I don't like it
Nelíbí se mi to
How is the weather today?
Jaké je dnes počasí?
Can you recommend any local attractions?
Můžete doporučit nějaké místní atrakce?

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Hotel
Reception
Recepce
Reservation
Rezervace
Hotel room
Hotelový pokoj
Key
Klíč
Breakfast
Snídaně
I have a reservation
Mám rezervaci
I would like to book a room
Chtěl bych si rezervovat pokoj
Do you have any rooms available?
Máte nějaké volné pokoje?

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Restaurace
Menu
Jídelní lístek
A table for one, please
Stůl pro jednoho, prosím
A table for two, please
Stůl pro dva, prosím
I would like a coffee, please
Rád bych si dal kávu, prosím
Enjoy your meal!
Dobrou chuť!
Can I have the bill, please?
Mohu dostat účet, prosím?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Mohl byste mi přinést účet, prosím?
I would like to pay, please
Rád bych zaplatil, prosím.
The bill, please
Účet, prosím
Can I pay with cash?
Mohu platit hotově?
Can I pay with card?
Mohu platit kartou?
Can I pay with credit card?
Mohu platit kreditní kartou?
Could you suggest something for me?
Můžete mi něco doporučit?
Can I have a glass of water, please?
Mohu dostat sklenici vody, prosím?
Do you have any local specialties?
Máte nějaké místní speciality?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Breakfast
Snídaně
Lunch
Oběd
Dinner
Večeře
Food
Jídlo
Drinks
Nápoje
Bread
Chléb
Sandwich
Sendvič
Cheese
Sýr
Meat
Maso
Fish
Ryby
Vegetables
Zelenina
Fruit
Ovoce
Vegetarian
Vegetariánské
I am a vegetarian
Jsem vegetarián (m)
Jsem vegetariánka (f)
Coffee
Káva
Tea
Čaj
Beer
Pivo
Wine
Víno
Juice
Šťáva
Water
Voda
Milk
Mléko
Dessert
Dezert
Salad
Salát
Soup
Polévka

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

ATM
Bankomat
Bank
Banka
Beach
Pláž
Library
Knihovna
Museum
Muzeum
Park
Park
Pharmacy
Lékárna
Post Office
Pošta
School
Škola
Tourist Information
Turistické informace

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Obchod
Supermarket
Supermarket
Grocery store
Potraviny
Market
Trh
Bakery
Pekařství
Bookstore
Knižní obchod
How much does this cost?
Kolik to stojí?
Can I get a receipt?
Mohu dostat účtenku?
I'm just looking
Jen se dívám
Sunglasses
Sluneční brýle
Umbrella
Deštník

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
Kde je toaleta?
Where is the beach?
Kde je pláž?
How do I get to the airport?
Jak se dostanu na letiště?
Left
Vlevo
Right
Vpravo
Straight ahead
Přímo vpřed
Is it far from here?
Je to odtud daleko?
Can you show it on the map?
Můžete to ukázat na mapě?
How long does it take to walk there?
Jak dlouho trvá chůze tam?

Transport

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Letiště
Plane
Letadlo
Train station
Nádraží
Train
Vlak
Bus station
Autobusové nádraží
Bus
Autobus
Taxi
Taxi
Ticket
Lístek
Can I get a ticket to Prague?
Mohu dostat lístek do Prahy?
I would like a ticket to Prague
Rád bych lístek do Prahy
I need a ticket to Prague
Potřebuji lístek do Prahy
A ticket to Prague, please
Lístek do Prahy, prosím
What time is the next train to Prague?
V kolik hodin je další vlak do Prahy
When is the next train to Prague?
Kdy je další vlak do Prahy?
When does the next train to Prague leave?
Kdy odjíždí další vlak do Prahy?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
Pomoc!
Help me!
Pomozte mi!
I need help
Potřebuji pomoc
I need assistance
Potřebuji pomoc
I need a doctor
Potřebuji doktora
Police
Policie
Police Station
Policejní stanice
Hospital
Nemocnice
Ambulance
Sanitka
Doctor
Lékař
Fire department
Hasiči
Fire!
Oheň!

Time

Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.

What time is it?
Kolik je hodin?
It is one o'clock
Jsou hodiny jedna
It is half past two
Jsou dvě hodiny a půl
Morning
Ráno
Afternoon
Odpoledne
Evening
Večer
Night
Noc
Today
Dnes
Tomorrow
Zítra
Yesterday
Včera

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Nula
One
Jeden
Two
Dva
Three
Tři
Four
Čtyři
Five
Pět
Six
Šest
Seven
Sedm
Eight
Osm
Nine
Devět
Ten
Deset
Eleven
Jedenáct
Twelve
Dvanáct
Thirteen
Třináct
Fourteen
Čtrnáct
Fifteen
Patnáct
Sixteen
Šestnáct
Seventeen
Sedmnáct
Eighteen
Osmnáct
Nineteen
Devatenáct
Twenty
Dvacet
Twenty-one
Dvacet jedna
Twenty-two
Dvacet dva
Twenty-three
Dvacet tři
Twenty-four
Dvacet čtyři
Twenty-five
Dvacet pět
Twenty-six
Dvacet šest
Twenty-seven
Dvacet sedm
Twenty-eight
Dvacet osm
Twenty-nine
Dvacet devět
Thirty
Třicet
Forty
Čtyřicet
Fifty
Padesáti
Sixty
Šedesát
Seventy
Sedmdesát
Eighty
Osmdesát
Ninety
Devadesát
Hundred
Sto
Two hundred
Dvě stě
One thousand
Tisíc
Two thousand
Dva tisíce
Three thousand
Tři tisíce
Hundred thousand
Sto tisíc
Million
Milión

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.

First
První
Second
Druhý
Third
Třetí
Fourth
Čtvrtý
Fifth
Pátý
Sixth
Šestý
Seventh
Sedmý
Eighth
Osmý
Ninth
Devátý
Tenth
Desátý
Eleventh
Jedenáctý
Twelfth
Dvanáctý
Thirteenth
Třináctý
Fourteenth
Čtrnáctý
Fifteenth
Patnáctý
Sixteenth
Šestnáctý
Seventeenth
Sedmnáctý
Eighteenth
Osmnáctý
Nineteenth
Devatenáctý
Twentieth
Dvacátý

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Pondělí
Tuesday
Úterý
Wednesday
Středa
Thursday
Čtvrtek
Friday
Pátek
Saturday
Sobota
Sunday
Neděle

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Leden
February
Únor
March
Březen
April
Duben
May
Květen
June
Červen
July
Červenec
August
Srpen
September
Září
Oktober
Říjen
November
Listopad
December
Prosinec

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
Co?
What do you need?
Co potřebujete?
What do you like?
Co máš rád(a)?
Where?
Kde?
Where is the toilet?
Kde je toaleta?
When?
Kdy?
When is the next train?
Kdy je další vlak?
When can we meet?
Kdy se můžeme setkat?
Why?
Proč?
Why is it expensive?
Proč je to drahé?
How?
Jak?
How are you doing?
Jak se máte?
How would you like to pay?
Jak byste chtěl platit?
How far is this?
Jak daleko je to?
Which?
Která? (f)
Který? (m)
Which car is yours?
Který vůz je váš?
Which museum did you visit?
Které muzeum jste navštívil/a?
Which museums did you visit?
Která muzea jste navštívil/a?
Which one of these is your car?
Který z těchto je váš vůz?
Who?
Kdo?
Who is that?
Kdo je to?
Who is your travel companion?
Kdo je tvůj cestovní společník?
Whose?
Čí?
Whose phone is ringing?
Čí telefon zvoní?
Whose bag is this?
Čí je ta taška?
How many?
Kolik?
How many people were at the concert?
Kolik lidí bylo na koncertě?
How much?
Kolik?
How much does this cost?
Kolik to stojí?

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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