As a teacher of Czech for Foreigners, I often receive bookings from people before their travel to Prague. While you certainly don’t need to speak fluent Czech to visit the Czech Republic, some students prefer to master basic Czech just in case they find themselves in a situation where nobody understands English.
If you are one of these types of people, here are six tips for successful communication in Czech:
1. Know the difference between “ty” and “Vy”
The Czech language has two ways of addressing people. When speaking to people whom you do not know or who are older than you, use the formal “Vy.” It is a sign of respect and, to be honest, it is expected. For addressing your Czech friends, family or small children, use the informal “ty.”
Switching from “Vy” to “ty” is common as you get to know each other better. It generally happens by mutual agreement, often accompanied with a handshake, kiss or a toast. An older person suggests it to a younger one; a woman offers it to a man.
Using the informal “ty” does not always mean being friendly – especially if you use it with a stranger. It could be understood as an insult, harkening back to the times under the communist regime where “ty” was more widely used along with the obligatory “comrade.”
While on a superficial level, it could be seen to convey a measure of equality during communism, the cultural undertones made it clear that its use was meant with condescension rather than any sense of comradery.
2. Introduce yourself properly
Older generations of Czechs typically introduce themselves by their full name or even by just their last name: “Jana Dvořáková” or “Dvořáková.” Younger people may prefer to just use their first names. But it is very much dependent on how formal the situation is.
3. Say “dobrý den” and “na shledanou”
Similar to the “ty” vs. “Vy” distinction, we have two types of greetings. Words such as “ahoj” or “čau” are used between friends and family. All these expressions mean both “hi” and “bye.”
For formal situations we use “dobrý den” for “hello” and “na shledanou” for “goodbye.”
If you go into a small shop, get on an elevator, enter the waiting room at a doctor’s office, or start a conversation with a stranger in the street, say “dobrý den.”
On the other hand, don’t follow with the equivalent of, “how are you?” Unlike in the US, this question is not part of a common greeting. Czechs reserve it for familiar people and will often answer honestly: “Oh, I am drowning in work, I can’t wait for the weekend” or “Great, I just got back from my vacation. We went to…” (followed by a 10 min narrative). It is a personal question.
I have fond memories of my American husband meeting my Czech grandfather for the first time and greeting him with, “čau.” I burst out laughing at the utter inappropriateness. My father had never used the informal form with his father-in-law, even though he had known him for decades – while my husband just walks in and uses this level of familiarity.
Furthermore, it is common for my grandparents’ generation to have used the formal “Vy” form when speaking to their own parents! My grandfather (in mild shock) responded “čau” and didn't say anything to the contrary so he and my husband never switched to the formal manner of conversation.
4. Use the conditional
Just like in English, the Czech language uses conditionals. Nowadays, most people just use one since the other sounds rather anachronistic, although it is still in use in some regions. Saying “chtěl(a) bych” (I would like) is more polite than “chci” (I want). Learning key phrases in conditional will make you seem not only more polite but also more advanced in Czech.
5. Negative forms are not impolite
Learners of Czech know that adding the prefix ne- in front of a verb makes it negative: nedělám (I am not doing), nerozumím (I don’t understand), nevím (I don’t know). Interestingly enough negative forms are frequently used in polite questions such as: “Prosím Vás, nevíte, kde je náměstí?” It does not translate as “Don’t you know where the square is?” But rather “Do you happen to know where the square is?” Using the negative form gives the questioned person space to say, “No, I don’t” without feeling embarrassed.
6. Learn important words such as “děkuji” and “prosím”
Even if you don’t speak Czech I recommend learning words such as “děkuji” (thank you), “promiňte” (I am sorry/excuse me) and especially “prosím” which you will hear all the time since it could mean: “here you are,” “you are welcome,” “go ahead,” and, most importantly, “please.”
Similar to people from other small countries, Czechs always welcome even the smallest effort to communicate in their native language. It pays off. Czechs will open up and give you a sincere smile. Czechs are nice people but they don’t always show it to strangers. But, speak Czech to them and they will share their last beer with you.
Would you like to improve your Czech? Expand your vocabulary and practice useful phrases in real life situations with my textbook Czech in 55 Easy Dialogues.
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