Czech language guide - Wikivoyage, the free collaborative travel and tourism guide - Guide linguistique tchèque — Wikivoyage, le guide de voyage et de tourisme collaboratif gratuit

Czech (Čeština)
Information
Official language	Czech RepublicEuropean Union
Number of speakers	11 million
Standardization institution	Czech Language Institute
ISO 639-1	cs
ISO 639-2	these, cze
ISO 639-3	those
Bases
Hello	Dobrý den
Thank you	Dekuji
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Czech is a West Slavic language close to the Slovak and Polish. It is spoken in Czech Republic and understood by almost the entire population of Slovakia.

Pronunciation

Vowels

Vowels are short if they are not stressed and pronounced long if they are stressed.

sad [sat] ~ sát [saːt]
bal [bal] ~ bál [baːl]
kaž [kaʃ] ~ káš [kaːʃ]

lek [lɛk] ~ lek [lɛːk]
len [lɛn] ~ lén [lɛːn]
sled [slɛt] ~ slét [slɛːt]

bor [bɔr] ~ bór [bɔːr]
chor [xɔr] ~ chór [xɔːr]
word [mɔt] ~ mód [mɔːt]

sir [sure] ~ sýr [siːr]
Žid [ʒɪt] ~ žít [ʒiːt]
kil [kɪl] ~ kýl [kiːl]

dul [dul] ~ důl [duːl]
nuž [nuʃ] ~ nůž [nuːʃ]
ruš [ruʃ] ~ růž [ruːʃ]

Consonant

Common diphthongs

“Ď” (/ ɟ /) is close to the French “dieu”;
"Ň" (/ ɲ /) is close to "nightingale";
"Ť" (/ c /) is close to "tiara".

Based

For this guide, we are using polite form for all expressions, on the assumption that you will be speaking most of the time with people you do not know.

Hello.: Dobrý den. (do-briiii dene drag the i)
How are you doing ?: Ják se máte?
Very well thank you.: Moc dobřé, děkuji?
What's your name ?: Ják se jmenujete?
My name is _____.: Já se jmenujů ____ (X)
Nice to meet you.: X (X)
Please: Prosím go
Thank you.: Děkuji. (diè-cou-yi)
You're welcome: Není zač
Yes: Ano
No: Born
excuse me: Promise
I am sorry.: I mi líto
Enjoy your meal.: Dobrou chuť. (do-bro-or chou-tieu using the German "ch", (the end of the last word is strongly muffled: "chou-tieu")):
Bye: Na shledanou. (nasse-hlè-da-no-ou by aspirating the "h")
I do not speak _____.: Do not mlůvím ______. (X)
Do you speak French ?: Mlůvíte Francouský? (X)
Does anyone speak French here?: I tů nikdo kdo mlůvi česky? (X)
Help !: Pomoc! (X)
Good morning): Dobré ráno (X)
Hello afternoon).: Dobry den (X)
Good evening.: Dobrý večer (X)
Good night: Dobrou noc (X)
I do not understand: Do rozumím (X)
Where are the toilets ?: Kde jsou zahodí? (X)

Problems

Don't bother me.: X. (XX)
Go away !!: X !! (XX)
Do not touch me !: X! (X)
I'll call the police.: X. (X)
Police !: X! (X)
Stop! Thief !: X! (X)
Help me please!: X! (X)
It's an emergency.: X. (X)
I am lost.: X. (X)
I lost my bag.: X. (X)
I lost my wallet.: X. (X)
I am in pain.: X. (X)
I am hurt.: X. (X)
I need a doctor.: X. (X)
May I use your phone ?: X? (X)

Numbers

1: X (X)
2: X (X)
3: X (X)
4: X (X)
5: X (X)
6: X (X)
7: X (X)
8: X (X)
9: X (X)
10: X (X)
11: X (X)
12: X (X)
13: X (X)
14: X (X)
15: X (X)
16: X (X)
17: X (X)
18: X (X)
19: X (X)
20: X (X)
21: X (X)
22: X (X)
23: X (X)
30: X (X)
40: X (X)
50: X (X)
60: X (X)
70: X (X)
80: X (X)
90: X (X)
100: X (X)
200: X (X)
300: X (X)
1000: X (X)
2000: X (X)
1,000,000: X (X)
number X (train, bus, etc.): X (X)
half: X (X)
less: X (X)
more: X (X)

Time

now: X (X)
later: X (X)
before: X (X)
morning: X (X)
in the morning: X (X)
afternoon: X (X)
evening: X (X)
In the evening: X (X)
night: X (X)

Time

one o'clock in the morning: X (X)
two o'clock in the morning: X (X)
nine o'clock in the morning: X (X)
midday: X (X)
one p.m: X (X)
two in the afternoon: X (X)
six in the evening: X (X)
seven o clock in the evening: X (X)
a quarter to seven, 18: 45: X (X)
a quarter past seven, 19: 15: X (X)
half past seven, 19: 30: X (X)
midnight: X (X)

Duration

_____ minutes): ______ X (X)
_____ time): ______ X (X)
_____ days): ______ X (X)
_____ week (s): ______ X (X)
_____ month: ______ X (X)
_____ year (s): ______ X (X)
weekly: X (X)
monthly: X (X)
annual: X (X)

Days

today: X (X)
yesterday: X (X)
tomorrow: X (X)
this week: X (X)
last week: X (X)
next week: X (X)

Monday : pondělí
Tuesday : úterý
Wednesday : středa
Thursday : čtvrtek
Friday : pátek
Saturday : sobota
Sunday : neděle

Month

If those who speak the language use a calendar other than Gregorian, explain it and list the months.

January : leden
February : a gold
March : březen
April : duben
may : květen
June : červen
July : červenec
August : srpen
September : září
October : říjen
November : listopad
December : prosinec

Write time and date

Give examples of how to write time and date if it differs from French.

Colors

black: Černá
White: Bílá
Grey: šedá
Red: Červená
blue: Modrá
yellow: Žlutá
green: Zelená
orange: Oranžová
purple: Fialová
Chestnut: Hnědá

Transport

Bus and Train

How much does the ticket cost to go to ____?: X ____? (X)
A ticket for ____, please.: X ____ X. (X)
Where is this train / bus going?: X? (X?)
Where is the train / bus to ____?: X ____? (X ____?)
Does this train / bus stop at ____?: X ____? (X _____?)
When does the train / bus to XXX leave?: X _____ X? (X _____ X)
When will this train / bus arrive in _____?: X _____? (X _____)

Directions

Where is _____ ? ?: X (X _____)
...the train station ?: X (X?)
...the bus station ?: X (X?)
... the airport?: X (X)
... downtown?: ...in the city ? (X)
... the suburbs?: X (X?)
...the hostel ?: X (X)
...the hotel _____ ?: X (X)
... the French / Belgian / Swiss / Canadian embassy?: ? (X)
Where are there paintings of ...: X (X)
... hotels?: X (X)
... restaurants?: ... restaurants? X (X)
... bars?: X (X)
... sites to visit?: X (X)
Can you show me on the map?: X (X?)
Street: X (X)
Turn left: X. (X)
Turn right.: X. (X)
left: X (X)
right: X (X)
straight: X (X)
in the direction of _____: X _____ (X)
after _____: X _____ (X)
before _____: X _____ (X)
Locate the _____.: X (X)
crossroads: X (X)
North: X (X)
South: X (X)
is: X (X)
Where is: X (X)
at the top: X (X)
downstairs: X (X)

Taxi

Taxi!: X! (X!)
Take me to _____, please.: X _____ X (X)
How much does it cost to go to _____?: X _____? (X _____?)
Bring me there, please.: X (X)

Lodging

Do you have free rooms?: X (X?)
How much does a room cost for one person / two people?: X (X?)
Is there in the room ...: X (X ...)
...sheets ?: X (X?)
...a bathroom ?: X (X?)
...a phone ?: X (X?)
...a television ?: X (X?)
Can I visit the room?: X (X?)
You don't have a quieter room?: X (X?)
... bigger ?: X (... X?)
...cleaner ?: X (... X?)
...less expensive?: X (... X?)
well, I take it.: X (X)
I plan to stay _____ night (s).: X (X)
Can you suggest me another hotel?: X (X?)
Do you have a safe?: X (X?)
... lockers ?: X (...)
Is breakfast / dinner included?: X (X?)
What time is breakfast / dinner?: X (?)
Please clean my room.: X (X)
Can you wake me up at _____ o'clock?: X (X _____X)
I want to let you know when I'm leaving.: X (X)

Silver

Do you accept euros?: ? (X?)
Do you accept Swiss francs?: ? (X?)
Do you accept Canadian dollars?: X (X?)
Do you accept credit cards ?: X (X?)
Can you change me?: X (X?)
Where can I change it?: X (X?)
Can you change me on a traveler's check?: X (X?)
Where can I redeem a traveler's check?: X (X?)
What is the exchange rate?: X (X?)
Where can I find an ATM?: X (X?)

Food

A table for one person / two people, please.: X (X)
Can I have the menu ?: X (X?)
Can I visit the kitchens?: X (X?)
What is the specialty of the house ?: X (X?)
Is there a local specialty?: X (X?)
I am vegetarian.: X. (X)
I do not eat pork.: X. (X)
I only eat kosher meat.: X (X)
Can you cook light? (with less oil / butter / bacon): X (X?)
menu: X (X)
à la carte: X (X)
breakfast: X (X)
to eat lunch: X (X)
tea: X (X)
supper: X (X)
I want _____: X. (X _____)
I would like a dish with _____.: X (X _____)
chicken: X (X)
beef: X (X)
deer: X (X)
Fish: X (X)
some salmon: X (X)
tuna: X (X)
whiting: X (X)
cod: X (X)
seafood: X (X)
of the dulse: X (X)
lobster: X (X)
clams: X (X)
oysters: X (X)
mussels: X (X)
some snails: X (X)
frogs: X (X)
Ham: X (X)
pork / pig: X (X).
wild boar: X (X)
sausages: X (X)
cheese: X (X)
eggs: X (X)
a salad: X (X)
vegetables (fresh): X (X)
fruit (fresh): X (X)
bread: X (X)
toast: X (X)
pasta: (X)
rice: X (X)
Beans: X (X)
A beer please: Jedno pivo, prosím (yèd-no pi-vo, pro-ciiiime drag the i)
Mineral water, please: Jednu mineralku, prosím (yèd-nou mi-né-ral-kou, pro-ciiiime drag the i)
a coffee please: Jednu kávu, prosím (yèd-nou kaaaa-vou, pro-ciiiime drag the a and the i)
Can I have a drink of _____?: X (X _____?)
Can I have a cup of _____?: X (X _____?)
Can I have a bottle of _____?: X (X _____?)
Coffee: X (X)
tea: X (X)
juice: X (X)
sparkling water: X (X)
water: X (X)
beer: X (X)
red / white wine: X (X)
Can I have _____?: X (X)
salt: X (X)
pepper: X (X)
butter: X (X)
Please ? (grab the waiter's attention): X (X)
I finished: X. (X)
That was delicious..: X (X)
You can clear the table.: X (X)
The bill, please.: Účet, prosím. (or-tchète, pro-ciiiime)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: X (X)
Is there table service?: X (X?)
One beer / two beers, please.: X (X)
A glass of red / white wine, please: X. (X)
A big beer, please.: X (X)
A bottle, please.: X. (X)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ and _____, please. (X)
whiskey: X (X)
vodka: X (X)
rum: X (X)
some water: (X)
soda: X (X)
Schweppes: X (X)
Orange juice: X (X)
Coca: X (X)
Do you have appetizers (in the sense of chips or peanuts)? X (X)
Another one, please.: X (X)
Another for the table, please.: X (X)
What time do you close ?: X (...)

Purchases

Do you have this in my size?: X (X)
How much does it cost ?: X (X)
It's too expensive !: X (X)
Could you accept _____?: X (X)
Dear: X (X)
cheap: X (X)
I can't pay him / her.: X (X)
I do not want it: X. (X)
You are fooling me.: X (X)
I am not interested.: X (X)
well, I'll take it.: X (X)
Could I have a bag?: X (X)
Do you ship abroad?: X (X)
I need...: X (X)
... toothpaste.: X (X)
... a toothbrush.: X (X)
... tampons.: X (X)
...soap.: X (X)
... shampoo.: X (X)
... an analgesic (aspirin, ibuprofen): X. (X)
... medicine for a cold.: X. (X)
... stomach medicine.: X (X)
... a razor.: X (X)
... batteries.: X (X)
... an umbrella: X. (X)
... a parasol. (Sun): X (X)
... sunscreen.: X (X)
... of a postcard.: X (X)
... postage stamps.: X (X)
...writing paper.: X (X)
... a pen.: X (X)
... of books in French.: X (X)
... magazines in French.: X (X)
... a newspaper in French.: X (X)
... of a French-XXX dictionary.: X (X)

Drive

I would like to rent a car.: X. (X)
Could I be insured?: X (X)
stop (on a sign): stop (X)
One Way: X (X)
yield: X (X)
parking forbidden: X (X)
speed limit: X (X)
gas station: X (X)
gasoline: X (X)
diesel: X (X)

Authority

I did not do anything wrong..: X (X)
It is a mistake.: X. (X)
Where are you taking me?: X (X)
Am I under arrest?: X (X)
I am a French / Belgian / Swiss / Canadian citizen.: (X)
I am a French / Belgian / Swiss / Canadian citizen: . (X)
I must speak to the French / Belgian / Swiss / Canadian Embassy / Consulate: (X)
I would like to speak to a lawyer.: X (X)
Could I just pay a fine?: X (X)

Love

I love you (you never know if you meet a beautiful Czech!): Miluju tě (mi-lou-you lukewarm)
You are beautiful: Jsi krásný / krásná (si kraa-snii for a man or si kraa-snaa for a woman)
You have beautiful eyes: Máš krásné oči (maach kraa-snéé o-tchi)

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