Visiting Czechia (Czech Republic) and you want to immerse into local culture? The best way is to mingle with locals and try and use their own language. Here is the info about Czech language and most useful Czech phrases you can use during your visit.

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Czech language introduction

The Czech language, a member of the West Slavic group of languages, is primarily spoken in the Czech Republic and holds significant historical and cultural importance for its speakers. Characterized by a rich phonetic system that includes a variety of vowel lengths and consonantal clusters, the Czech language features distinct diacritical marks such as háček and acute accents, which modify the pronunciation of certain letters to convey nuanced meanings.

Its grammar is notable for its use of seven cases to denote relationships among nouns, pronouns, and adjectives within sentences, allowing for a complex structure that enhances linguistic expression. The vocabulary reflects centuries of influence from Germanic, Latin, and Slovak languages while retaining deep roots in Slavic origins; this confluence contributes to the dynamic nature of contemporary Czech lexicon.

Additionally, literary works penned in Czech span from medieval texts to modern novels that explore various themes relevant to society’s evolution over time.

List of useful Czech phrases

Here’s a list of useful Czech phrases that can help you navigate various situations while visiting Czechia (the Czech Republic):

Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions

Hello/Hi: Ahoj (informal) / Dobrý den (formal)
Good morning: Dobré ráno
Good afternoon: Dobré odpoledne
Good evening: Dobrý večer
Good night: Dobrou noc
Goodbye: Nashledanou / Ahoj (informal)
Please: Prosím
Thank you: Děkuji / Díky (informal)
You’re welcome: Není zač
Excuse me/Sorry: Promiňte / Pardon
Yes: Ano / Jo (informal)
No: Ne
Maybe: Možná

Introductions and Personal Information

What is your name?: Jak se jmenujete? (formal) / Jak se jmenuješ? (informal)
My name is…: Jmenuji se…
Nice to meet you: Těší mě
Where are you from?: Odkud jste? (formal) / Odkud jsi? (informal)
I am from…: Jsem z…

Common Questions

How are you?: Jak se máte? (formal) / Jak se máš? (informal)
How much does it cost?: Kolik to stojí?
Do you speak English?: Mluvíte anglicky?
Where is…?: Kde je…?
What time is it?: Kolik je hodin?

Travel and Directions

I need a taxi: Potřebuji taxi
Where is the train station?: Kde je nádraží?
Is this the right bus/train?: Je to správný autobus/vlak?
Which way to…?: Kudy na…?
Left: Vlevo
Right: Vpravo
Straight ahead: Rovně
Near: Blízko
Far: Daleko

Dining and Ordering Food

A table for two, please: Stůl pro dva, prosím
The menu, please: Jídelní lístek, prosím
I would like…: Dal(a) bych si…
What do you recommend?: Co doporučujete?
Cheers!: Na zdraví!
Check, please: Účet, prosím
Can I pay by card?: Můžu platit kartou?
I am allergic to…: Jsem alergický/á na…

Shopping

How much is this?: Kolik to stojí?
Do you have this in another size/color?: Máte to v jiné velikosti/barvě?
I am just looking: Jen se dívám
Can I try this on?: Můžu si to vyzkoušet?
Where is the fitting room?: Kde je kabinka?
I’ll take it: Vezmu si to

Emergencies

Help!: Pomoc!
Call the police: Zavolejte policii
I need a doctor: Potřebuji lékaře
I am lost: Ztratil(a) jsem se
Is there a pharmacy nearby?: Je tady poblíž lékárna?

At the Hotel

I have a reservation: Mám rezervaci
I would like to check in/check out: Chtěl(a) bych se ubytovat/vyřídit odhlášení
Can I get the Wi-Fi password?: Můžu dostat heslo na Wi-Fi?
What time is breakfast?: V kolik hodin je snídaně?

Numbers

One: Jeden
Two: Dva
Three: Tři
Four: Čtyři
Five: Pět
Ten: Deset
Twenty: Dvacet
Hundred: Sto

Useful Phrases for Socializing

Can we speak informally?: Můžeme si tykat?
Would you like to go for a drink?: Nechceš jít na drink?
I like it here: Líbí se mi tady
Where is a good place to go out?: Kde je dobré místo na večer?

Miscellaneous

I don’t understand: Nerozumím
Could you repeat that?: Můžete to zopakovat?
Do you have…?: Máte…?
Can I…?: Můžu…?
It’s okay/no problem: To je v pořádku
I’m sorry, I don’t speak Czech well: Omlouvám se, nemluvím dobře česky

These phrases should help you navigate various situations during your visit to Czechia, making your interactions smoother and more enjoyable!