Basic Words and Phrases in Czech
Reinier van der Windt
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? |
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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