Learning a new language can be an exciting and rewarding journey, and if you’ve chosen to learn Czech, you’re in for a treat. Czech, or Čeština as it’s known in the native tongue, is a Slavic language spoken by over 10 million people, primarily in the Czech Republic. It’s a language rich in history and culture, and understanding it can open doors to new experiences and connections. To get you started on the right foot, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to essential Czech vocabulary for beginners. This article will cover basic words and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations and build a strong foundation for further study.
Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions
Learning how to greet people and use polite expressions is essential in any language. In Czech, these phrases will help you make a good first impression.
Hello – Dobrý den (formal), Ahoj (informal)
Goodbye – Na shledanou (formal), Čau (informal)
Please – Prosím
Thank you – Děkuji
Yes – Ano
No – Ne
Excuse me – Promiňte
Sorry – Promiňte (formal), Promiň (informal)
You’re welcome – Není zač
Good morning – Dobré ráno
Good night – Dobrou noc
Numbers and Counting
Being able to count and understand numbers is crucial, whether you’re shopping, telling time, or asking for directions. Here are the basic Czech numbers from 1 to 10, followed by some larger numbers and counting tips.
1 – jeden
2 – dva
3 – tři
4 – čtyři
5 – pět
6 – šest
7 – sedm
8 – osm
9 – devět
10 – deset
20 – dvacet
30 – třicet
40 – čtyřicet
50 – padesát
60 – šedesát
70 – sedmdesát
80 – osmdesát
90 – devadesát
100 – sto
To form numbers between 11 and 19, add the suffix “-náct” to the base numbers (e.g., jedenáct for 11, dvanáct for 12). For numbers beyond 20, simply combine the tens and units (e.g., dvacet jedna for 21, třicet dva for 32).
Days of the Week and Months
Knowing the days of the week and months will help you in scheduling, making plans, and understanding dates.
Days of the Week:
Monday – Pondělí
Tuesday – Úterý
Wednesday – Středa
Thursday – Čtvrtek
Friday – Pátek
Saturday – Sobota
Sunday – Neděle
Months:
January – Leden
February – Únor
March – Březen
April – Duben
May – Květen
June – Červen
July – Červenec
August – Srpen
September – Září
October – Říjen
November – Listopad
December – Prosinec
Common Phrases for Everyday Situations
These phrases will help you navigate common situations you might encounter in daily life.
Asking for Directions:
Where is the…? – Kde je…?
How do I get to…? – Jak se dostanu do…?
Is it far? – Je to daleko?
Turn left – Zatočte doleva
Turn right – Zatočte doprava
Straight ahead – Rovně
Shopping:
How much does it cost? – Kolik to stojí?
I would like to buy… – Chtěl(a) bych koupit…
Do you have…? – Máte…?
Cash register – Pokladna
Receipt – Účtenka
Eating Out:
I would like a table for two – Chtěl(a) bych stůl pro dva
Can I see the menu? – Můžu vidět jídelní lístek?
What do you recommend? – Co doporučujete?
The bill, please – Účet, prosím
Basic Questions and Answers
Being able to ask and answer basic questions is crucial for communication. Here are some fundamental question words and example questions.
Who? – Kdo?
What? – Co?
Where? – Kde?
When? – Kdy?
Why? – Proč?
How? – Jak?
Example Questions:
What’s your name? – Jak se jmenujete?
How are you? – Jak se máte?
Where are you from? – Odkud jste?
Do you speak English? – Mluvíte anglicky?
Example Answers:
My name is… – Jmenuji se…
I am fine, thank you – Mám se dobře, děkuji
I am from… – Jsem z…
Yes, I speak English – Ano, mluvím anglicky
Essential Vocabulary for Travel
If you’re traveling to the Czech Republic, these words and phrases will help you navigate transportation and accommodations.
Transportation:
Bus – Autobus
Train – Vlak
Airport – Letiště
Ticket – Jízdenka
Departure – Odjezd
Arrival – Příjezd
Accommodations:
Hotel – Hotel
Room – Pokoj
Reservation – Rezervace
Check-in – Přihlášení
Check-out – Odhlášení
Key – Klíč
Emergency Phrases
In case of an emergency, it’s important to know how to ask for help and communicate your needs.
Help! – Pomoc!
Call the police – Zavolejte policii
I need a doctor – Potřebuji lékaře
Where is the nearest hospital? – Kde je nejbližší nemocnice?
I am lost – Ztratil(a) jsem se
I don’t feel well – Necítím se dobře
Basic Adjectives and Descriptions
Describing things and people is an important part of communication. Here are some basic Czech adjectives and their English equivalents.
Good – Dobrý
Bad – Špatný
Big – Velký
Small – Malý
Hot – Horký
Cold – Studený
New – Nový
Old – Starý
Beautiful – Krásný
Ugly – Ošklivý
Easy – Snadný
Difficult – Těžký
Basic Verbs and Actions
Verbs are the backbone of any language. Here are some essential Czech verbs that will help you express basic actions.
To be – Být
To have – Mít
To go – Jít
To come – Přijít
To see – Vidět
To eat – Jíst
To drink – Pít
To sleep – Spát
To read – Číst
To write – Psát
Common Nouns
Nouns are the building blocks of sentences. Here are some common Czech nouns and their English translations.
Man – Muž
Woman – Žena
Child – Dítě
Friend – Přítel (male), Přítelkyně (female)
House – Dům
Car – Auto
Food – Jídlo
Water – Voda
Book – Kniha
Table – Stůl
Tips for Learning Czech Vocabulary
Learning a new language requires practice and patience. Here are some tips to help you effectively learn and retain Czech vocabulary:
Use Flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to memorize new words. Write the Czech word on one side and the English translation on the other.
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Try to practice a little bit every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Engage with Native Speakers: If possible, practice speaking with native Czech speakers. This will help you improve your pronunciation and understanding.
Use Language Learning Apps: Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer interactive lessons and exercises for learning Czech.
Watch Czech Movies and TV Shows: Immersing yourself in the language through media can help you pick up new vocabulary and understand the context in which words are used.
Label Your Environment: Place labels on objects around your home with their Czech names. This constant exposure will help reinforce your learning.
Conclusion
Learning Czech can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. By starting with these essential vocabulary words and phrases, you’ll build a solid foundation that will make it easier to progress in your studies. Remember to practice regularly, engage with native speakers, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. With dedication and persistence, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Czech and unlocking a new world of opportunities. Happy learning!
