Basic Czech Phrases

YES = ANO (ano)

NO = NE (ne)

PLEASE = PROSÍM (proseem)

THANK YOU = DE^vKUJI VAM (dyekooyi vam)

GOOD MORNING = DOBRÉ RÁNO (dobrye rano)

GOOD AFTERNOON = DOBRÉ ODPOLEDNE (dobrye odpoledne)

GOOD NIGHT = DOBROU NOC (dobroh nots)

HELLO = DOBRY' DEN (dobree den)

GOOD-BYE = NA SHLEDANOU (nas-khledanow)

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? = JAK SE JMENUJETE? (yak se menooyete)

MY NAME IS... = JMENUJI SE... (menooyi se)

HOW ARE YOU? = JAK SE MÁTE? (jak se mahte )

FINE THANKS, AND YOU? = DE^vKUJI DOBR^vE, A VY? (dyekooyi dobrzhe, a vi)

I UNDERSTAND. = ROZUMÍM (rozoomeem)

I DON'T UNDERSTAND. = NEROZUMÍM. (nerozoomeem)

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? = MLUVÍTE ANGLICKY? (mlooveete anglitskee)

I DON'T SPEAK CZECH. = NEMLUVÍM C^vESKY. (nemlooveem chehskee)

NICE TO MEET YOU = Těší mě. (tyeh-sheee mnyeh)

Basic Phrases

If you learn nothing else, try these phrases:

1. Prosím (pro-seem) = Possibly the most useful word in Czech. It means: 1) Please, 2) Here you are, 3) You’re welcome, 4) What did you say?, 5) I’ll have … and can generally be used in times of doubt.

2. Děkuju (dyeh-kooyoo) = Thank you

3. Ano (ah-noh) = Yes. Ano is often shortened to no, sometimes resulting in cross-language confusion.

4. Ne (neh) = No. Fairly straightforward and direct.

5. Dobrý den (dob-ree den) = Hello, Good afternoon.

6. Nashledanou (nus-hle-dah-no) Good bye.

7. Ahoj (ah-hoy) = Hi. or Bye. Much like Aloha this word can be used both when meeting and leaving. You will often hear Czechs saying hi while waving you goodbye. Čau is another informal equivalent.

8. Kde je toaleta? (kdeh yeh toh-ah-le-ta) Where is the bathroom? Obviously useful but getting you into the realm of phrases where you need to understand the answer.

9. Kolik to stojí? (koh-leek toh stoh-yee) How much is it? Ditto.

10. Co je to? (tso yeh toh) What is it? This phrase is especially useful to expand your vocabulary.

ENGLISH = CZECH (PRONUNCIATION)

How do you do (exactly ‘Good day’) = Dobry den (dobree den)

Good morning = Dobre rano (dobreh rahno)

Good evening = Dobry vecer (dobree vecher)

Good night = Dobrou noc (dobrow nots)

Goodbye = Na shledanou (naskhedanow)

Please = Prosim (proseem)

Thank You = Dekuji (dyekuyi)

Excuse me = S dovolenim (s dovolenyeem)

I´m sorry = Lituji (lituyi)

Excuse me = Prominte (promintey)

Yes = Ano (ano)

No = Ne (neh)

Do you speak English? = Mluvite anglicky? (mluveete anglitsky?)

I don’t understand = Nerozumim (nerozumeem)

Please, write it down = Prosim napiste to (proseem napishte to)

Where is (a bank) = Kde je (kde ye) banka (banka)

Currency exchange = Smenarna (smnyenahrna)

Bathroom = Toaleta, Zachod (toaleta, zahkod)

Men = Muzi, Pani (muzhi, pahnyi)

Women = Zeny, Damy (zheny, dahmy)

How much does it cost? = Kolik to stoji (kolik to stoyee)

Waiter! = Pane vrchni! (pane vrkhnyee)

One beer, please = Jedno pivo prosim (yedno pivo proseem)

Waitress! = Slecno! (slechno)

The check, please! = Platit, prosim (platyit proseem.)

Fun Czech Phrases

Z technických důvodů zavřeno. = Closed due to technical reasons.

Volané číslo neexistuje = The number you are calling does not exist.

Ukončete výstup a nástup, dveře se zavírají! = Stop getting off or getting on, the doors are closing! (Prague subway announcement)

Příští zastávka: Náměstí Republiky = Next stop: Náměstí Republiky

Máte přání? = May I help you?

Dám si jedno pivo prosím. = I'll have a beer please.

Kolik to stojí? = How much does it cost?

Zaplatíme. = We're ready to pay. (asking for the bill at a restaurant)

Je tu obsazeno? = Is this seat taken?

Smím prosit? = Would you like to dance?