K Tahal Grammar

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language
Introductory information by
A GRAMMAR OF CZECH
AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Karel Tahal
259 pages
Factum CZ, s.r.o., 2010
www.factumcz.cz
systematic description of present day Czech

seen from the viewpoint of a foreigner
non-traditional arrangement and
unconventional way of explaining some topics
suitable for those who want to gain

a global insight into the language system
companion for those who are learning Czech
in any kind of step-by-step classes
and want to get a compact overview of the language rules
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A GRAMMAR OF
CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Karel Tahal
www.factumcz.cz
Written by: doc. PhDr. Karel Tahal, CSc.

Factum CZ, s.r.o., 2010
www.factumcz.cz
CONTENTS
Preface...
Survey of spelling and pronuncation
1
The sounds of Czech...
2
Orthography and pronunciation..
Nouns, adjectives, pronouns, numerals in singular nominative
3
Word classes introductory information
4
Gender of nouns..
5
Adjective.
6
Personal pronoun
7
Possessive pronoun.
8
Demonstrative pronoun..
9
Summary of the forms of adjectives and pronouns, nominative singular..
10
Cardinal numerals...
11
Ordinal and multiplicative numerals..
Verbs: conjugation, tense, aspect
12
Introductory information about verbs
13
Present tense..
14
Past tense
15
Future tense
16
Aspect
17
Verbs of motion.
18
Irregular and modal verbs..
19
Reflexive verbs...
Declensions of nouns, adjectives, pronouns
20
Introductory information about declensions..
21
Accusative singular nouns ..
22
Accusative singular adjectives, posses. pronouns, demonstr. pronouns.
23
Summary of the forms and functions of accusative
24
Personal pronouns accusative..
25
Classification of nouns...
26
Plural of nouns nominative and accusative..
27
Plural of adjectives, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns.
28
Genitive sg., pl. forms and functions...
29
Locative sg., pl. forms and functions..
30
Dative sg., pl. forms and functions.
31
Instrumental sg., pl. forms and functions
32
Vocative.
33
Summarizing survey of declension forms..
34
Nouns further declensional groups.
35
Pluralia tantum...
36
The list of prepositions .
37
Basic spatial prepositions and adverbs.
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7
9
14
18
19
23
25
26
28
29
30
32
34
35
40
45
47
54
58
61
64
65
67
69
71
75
77
85
87
98
105
113
118
120
129
133
136
137
More about adjectives and adverbs

38
Comparison of adjectives...
39
Adverbs formed from adjectives...
40
Comparison of adverbs..
41
Nominal forms of adjectives..
42
The constructions with rd.
43
Possessive adjectives..
Further verbal categories
44
Imperative...
45
Conditional..
46
Conditional conjunction jestli(e)..
47
Mt as modal verb
48
Passive voice...
49
Verbal Noun
More about pronouns
50
Reflexive pronoun ..
51
Reflexive possessive pronoun
52
Relative pronoun kter
53
Verbal adjective..
54
Pronominal relative clauses
55
Pronouns kad vichni ...
56
Adjectival indefinite pronouns
57
Negative pronouns and adverbs..
Selected types of clauses not mentioned so far
58
The conjunction aby
59
Object clauses with aby, e and infinitive..
60
Verb tense in indirect speech..
61
Temporal clauses and temporal prepositions..
62
Temporal conjunctions...
63
Miscellaneous coordinate conjunctions and connecting expressions.
64
Word order..
Word formation selected topics
65
Female nouns from male nouns..
66
Diminutives.
67
Numerals used as nouns..
68
Motion verbs and prefixes..
69
Prefixes with other verbs
141
145
148
150
151
154
158
163
168
170
173
179
180
184
189
192
194
197
199
201
202
205
208
211
214
217
219
222
226
228
230
241
Appendix
Information about OBECN ETINA... 245
Index. 254
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PREFACE
The principal object in bringing out this GRAMMAR is to give a concise form
information on the Czech language system seen from the viewpoint of a non-native speaker,
no matter whether his/her interest is just occasional (e.g. general or comparative linguistics) or
if (s)he wants to obtain a global insight into the language system simultaneously with
attending some kind of step-by-step classes.
The explanations are conceived as an integrated complex enabling a subsequent
expansion of the knowledge of the language system and acquisition of practical skills. Some
topics are treated somewhat non-traditionally assuming that the persons concerned have no
previous idea about the Czech language, or their knowledge does not go very deep. This is
also the reason for unconventional arrangement of chapters with considerable deviations
from standard handbooks of Czech grammar for Czech users.
Unlike a native speaker who masters the language subconsciously and any theoretical
instruction aims at arranging his/her practical competence systematically in accordance with
codified rules, a foreign user enters a terra incognita, not being able to rely on any underlying
communicative experience either in grammar or in vocabulary. Thats why the grammatical
surveys in this book are illustrated by a high amount of examples accompanied by English
translations. Even the sequence of certain topics and their mutual configuration is rather
different from the established tradition. Every endeavour is made to display the language facts
from a foreigners standpoint.
A prospective user may be of any nationality. The explanations and translations are
presented in English, and there are made comparisons with English. This is, however, no
comparative grammar in the strict sense of seeking agreements and differences in the systems
of the two languages. The facts of the Czech language may seem more or less obvious,
depending on the users native language and his/her experience of other languages.
The subject matter is divided into short chapters (sometimes differing considerably in
length) proceeding from basic information to more detailed explanations. The topics are in
principle arranged according to word classes and their respective morphological categories,
uniting the forms with their syntactic functions, keeping in mind the fact that even the
vocabulary is unknown for the user.
Some sections are intentionally simplified (without distorting the facts). Lots of
peripheral features (less frequent, problematic ) are only mentioned as marginal remarks
or intentionally left out.
One of the most salient traits of Czech is the existence of two varieties, called spisovn
etina (= standard Czech) and obecn etina, the latter not having any codified norm, but
being widely used in everyday life. Several decades ago, it was the domain of spoken
language in private conversation, but due to the rapid development of electronic means of
communication, it has recently penetrated even written messages. Foreign learners of Czech
inevitably encounter this variety in everyday life and may often be confused by -sometimes
substantial- differences, especially on the morphological level.
The two varieties form component parts of the Czech language as a whole. In our
explanations, it is the standard form of present-day language (= spisovn etina) that is being
described, observing the stylistically neutral level. Nevertheless, we consider it necessary for
a non-native speaker to become acquainted even with the other variety. For this reason, the
final chapter presents basic information about obecn etina, its relation to the standard
language and a summary of the most important differences.
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Although an average user of this type of manual is supposed to make single-shot

looks at chosen items, the explanations are arranged so as to make it possible to read them
from cover to cover. Our GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE should give a
compact overview of the Czech language system. Obviously, it is far from beeing exhaustive,
but it can be regarded as a reliable companion even for further systematic studies as well as
for practical acquirement of the Czech language.
***
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SURVEY OF SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION

THE SOUNDS OF CZECH
esk hlskoslov
Mutual relations between the written and the spoken forms are principally based on
the one-to-one relation, i.e. a letter (grapheme) corresponds to a certain sound (phoneme),
and vice versa. Yet, the validity of the principle is not one hundred per cent, and for a foreign
learner of Czech it is always advisable to start from the written form.
The recommended procedure can save you a lot of difficulties, as the existing
discrepancies between the written and the spoken forms are of the heterographic
homophonous character. (It means that there can be encountered pairs of words with
different spelling, but identical pronunciation, e.g. the two different written words objet (to
drive around) and obd (lunch) have identical pronunciation [objet]. The same holds true for
the pairs let (flight) led (ice), both of them being pronounced [let]; vka (height) vka
(turret), vith the same pronunciation [vka]; bt (to be) bt (beat, thrash), both pronounced
[bi:t], etc. On the other hand, there hardly exist words with identical spelling and different
pronunciation (like the English lead, bow, wind).
The following survey presents the system of the Czech sounds (phonemes) and their relation
to the written counterparts (letters, graphemes) first vowels, then consonants. It is obvious
that the exact acoustic realization of phonemes (the correct pronunciation) should be learnt
in practice, by imitating native speakers.
VOWELS
Vokly (= Samohlsky)
There are five vowels in Czech:
i, e, a, o, u .
Their mutual relations can be illustrated by means of the following triangle, based on the
horizontal and vertical positions of the tongue in the oral cavity:
front
pedn
high
vysok
mid
stedov
low
nzk
central
stedn
back
zadn
u
e
o
a
In the written form, there is also the letter y, but it doesnt represent any special sound, its
existence having historical reasons. It is always pronounced in the same way as the vowel i.
E.g. the words
syn
are pronounced
son
[sin]
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hory
byt
slyet
mountains apartment to hear
[hori]
[bit]
[sliet]
myslet
to think
[mislet]
Each of the five vowels may be either short or long. The length is marked in spelling by
means of the sign
above the letter, i.e. , , , ,
(and ) .
The diacritic sign is called RKA.

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the long vowels should be transcribed
[i: ], [e: ], [a: ], [o: ], [u: ].
The long vowel and its short counterpart are two different phonemes, i.e. the vowel length has
a distinctive function, the number of vocalic phonemes thus being 10.
e.g.:
byt (apartment) bt (to be);

pee (she bakes) pe (care);
dal (he gave)
dl (further).
The length sign (rka) should not be confused with stress !

In Czech, it is always the first syllable that is stressed, regardless of the vowel length.
The long vowel [u: ] is sometimes written as .
The diacritic sign is called KROUEK. The reasons of its existence are historical.
Both and are pronounced in the same way.
The basic spelling rule is:
is written in the initial word position, e.g. ter (Tuesday),
is writen the word medial and final position, e.g stl (table), dom (home).
(Only in a very limited number of words, the
letter is used even in the medial position.)
DIPHTHONGS
Diftongy (= Dvojhlsky)
The number of diphthongs is limited to three, viz.
ou, e.g. dlouh (long),
au, e.g. auto (car),
eu, e.g. pneumatika (tyre).
Unlike in English, a diphthong is considered to be a combination of two vocalic phonemes
belonging to the same syllable, and each of the two components should be articulated clearly.
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10
CONSONANTS
Konsonanty ( = Souhlsky)
From a foreigners point of view, it is convenient to start the description from the written
forms (= graphemes), and to lay out the Czech consonants in five groups.
(group 1: consonants that have no diacritic mark in the written form)
b, d, g, p, t, k, v, f, z, s, m, n, l, r, j, h, c
Remarks on some of the above mentioned consonants:
The consonants p, t, k are not aspirated !
(Aspirated pronunciation is a very frequent mistake made by the
learners with English as native language!)
is voiced (like in the English words zebra, visible, has)
z
is vibrant (like in Italian, Swedish )
r
is a voiced glottal fricative
h
is a voiceless alveolar affricate, pronounced as the German z, e.g. in
c
zehn
---- (group 2: a consonant represented by the combination of two letters)
this digraph always represents one sound;
ch
(German ach-Laut ; in international phonetic transcription [ ]), e.g.:
chyba (mistake)
ucho (ear)
---- (group 3: the consonants written with the diacritic sign above the letter)
(The sign is called HEK.)
, , ,
Remarks on these consonants:
is pronounced like the consonant in the English words she, wash
is a voiced counterpart to [], pronounced like the French consonant je,
or the English intervocalic consonant in the word leisure;
is a voiceless postalveolar affricate, corresponding to the English consonants in
the word church
is a specific Czech vibrant; unlike [r] it is non-sonorant;
it has a voiced and a voiceless allophone depending on the surrounding sounds
---- (group 4)
Palatal consonants (= articulated at the hard palate)
d
t
palatal nasal consonant, corresponding to the Spanish [], e.g. maana

palatal oral voiced plosive
palatal oral voiceless plosive
Notice: Sounds imilar to [], [d], [t] may be heard even in English, as a result
of the coalescence of two consonants, i.e. [nj] (new), [tj] (Tuesday), [dj]
(duty). In Czech, they must be articulated as a single consonant.
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11
Technical remark:
The consonants d t are written in hand with the sign above the letter,
but [d] and [t] are printed as and .
(The reasons are technical: the fonts would be too high.)
The three consonants are very frequent sounds, but only seldom do they occur as letters.
Usually they are hidden in the syllables ni di ti and n d t , with the
pronunciation [i] [di] [ti] , [e] [de] [te] , E.g.:
printed
hidden in
ni di ti
hidden in
n d t
promite
[promite]
Im sorry
kniha
[kiha]
book
nen
[ne]
isnt
nco
[eco]
something
Maarsko
[madarsko]
Hungary
divadlo
[divadlo]
theatre
poschod
[posod]
floor
dkuji
[dekuji]
thanks
chu
[chut ]
taste
etina
[etina]
Cz.language
tet
[tet]
third
tlo
[telo]
body
---- (group 5)
In addition to the above mentioned consonants, there may occur the letters, x, q w in
words of foreign origin. They do not represent any special phonemes, and they are
pronounced in the following way:
the letter
pronounced
examples
(pronounced)
[ks]
or
[gz]
text, taxi
text, taxi
existovat
to exist
Quido
(male name)
watt
watt
[tekst] [taksi]
[kv]
[v]
[egzistovat]
[kvido]
[vat]
----The above mentioned survey is based on the writen forms, i.e. it presents consonantal letters
(= graphemes) and offers hints at their pronunciation.
The phonemic subsystem of consonants is presented below.
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12
THE SYSTEM OF CONSONANTAL PHONEMES
Velars
k g
- j
[] -
Manner of articulation
VOICELESS - VOICED
Plosives
p b
Fricatives
t d
f v
Affricates
Nasals
- m
s z
c -
- n
Lateral
Vibrant - sonorous
Vibrant non-sonorous
- r
Laryngal
Palatals
Postalveolars
Alveolars
Bilabials
PHONEMIC SYSTEM
OF CZECH CONSONANTS
Labiodentals
Place of articulation
- h
Remarks on the above mentioned chart:

1: The IPA symbol [] for the voiceless velar fricative is used here.
As it has been mentioned above, the Czech spelling is ch.
2: The non- sonorous vibrant [] may be
either voiced (in the neighbourhood of voiced consonants, in intervocalic position,
in the initial position followed by a vowel, e.g. dobe (well), dvee (door), eka
(river)
or voiceless (if preceded or followed by a voiceless consonant, and in the word
final position), e.g. ti (three), nekute (dont smoke), tv (face).
-------------------------------- The sounds [r] and [l] may peform a syllabic function without the presence of a
vowel. E,g.:
Brno (name of town) pronounced as two syllables [br-no], the first of them being syllabic;
Petr (male name) pronounced [pe-tr], with syllabic [r] in the second syllable;
tvrtek (Thursday) pronounced [tvr-tek] , with syllabic [r] in the first syllable;
tvrt (quarter) one syllable without any vowel, the consonant [r] being syllable-forming;
Vltava (name of river) pronounced [vl-ta-va], with syllabic [l] in the first syllable;
ekl (he said) pronounced [e-kl], with syllabic [l] in the second syllable;
vlk (wolf) one syllable without any vowel, the consonant [l] being syllable-forming.
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13
ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION

Pravopis a vslovnost
In most words, one letter (grapheme) stands for one sound (phoneme). Nevertheless, there are
several regular deviations from the one-to-one relation. They are listed in the four points
below:
1:
The letter i changes the pronunciaton of the immediately preceding consonants n d t into
[ ] [d] [t] (see examples above).
(Loan-words internationalisms are exempt from this rule; e.g. in the words
komunikace (communication), diskuse (discussion), statistika (statistics), the syllables
in question are pronounced with n d t , in the same way as they are in English and
other languages.)
In front of the letter y, on the other hand, the pronunciation of the letters n d t is not
influenced.
This fact has a very important consequence: Although the letters i and y are pronounced in
the same way, it is absolutely necessary to distinguish
the written syllables ni di ti with the pronounced consonants [ ] [d] [t]
from the written syllables ny dy ty , where there is no difference between spelling and
pronunciation of the consonants.
2:
The letter
does not stand for any special sound. It is pronounced [e], but it influences substantially the
pronunciation of the whole syllable, depending on the preceding consonant.
a)
the written syllables n d t are always pronounced [e] [de] [te] (see also
above)
b)
the written syllables b p v are always pronounced [bje] [pje] [vje]
(The same concerns the syllable f [fje] which, however, has low occurence.)
c)
the written syllable m
is always pronounced [me]
Examples:
a)
spelling
nco
tlo
something dlat
to do
body
pronunciation
[eco]
[delat]
[telo]
b)
spelling
pronunciation
bet
[bjeet]
c)
spelling
pronunciation
msto
town
[mesto]
to run
pt
[pjet]
five
vc
[vjec]
thing
The letter can only occur after the consonants

n d t
b p v f
m
- never after any other consonant !!!
This is a very important fact, and it will be referred to later on,
when talking about various grammatical rules !
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14
The following two rules concern the voiced voiceless consonant pairs, i. e. the following
16 consonants: (This phenomenon is a commonplace for speakers of some other languages.)
voiced
voiceless
b
p
d
t
d
t
g
k
v
f
z
s
h
ch
3:
None of the above mentioned voiced consonants (the upper line) can be pronounced in the
final position of a word. If they occur in the written form, they are pronounced as the
corresponding voiceless counterparts (the lower line). Examples:
spelling
pronunciation
zub
[zup]
soused
[souset]
te
[tet]
tooth
neighbour now
pedagog
[pedagok]
lhev obraz
[lhef] [obras]
pedagogue bottle
picture
mu vtah
[mu] [vtach]
man
lift
Consequently, the distinction voiced voiceless disappears in the word final position. (In
phonology, this phenomenon is called neutralization of phonemic oppositions.)
4:
If a voiced and a voiceless consonant follow immediately each other, the whole consonant
cluster must be pronounced either as voiced or voiceless, and it is the last consonant that
is the decisive factor. (In phonetics, this is known as regressive assimilation of voicing.)
(The rule applies to the above mentioned 16 consonants, and moreover to the consonant .)
Examples:
spelling
pronunciation
tuka
[tuka]
otzka
[otska]
zpvk
obchod
[spjevk] [opchot]
vera
[fera]
pencil
question
singer
yesterday football
shop
fotbal
[fodbal]
kdo
[gdo]
who
There are two exceptions to the mentioned rule:

the consonant v
is liable to the assimilation (if followed by a voiceless consonant),
e.g. vstt [fstt] = stand up, get up , aktovka [aktofka] = briefcase ,
but itself does not cause any assimilation of the following consonants,
e.g. svtek [svtek] = holiday, tvj [tvj] = your
the consonant sequence sh
may be pronounced with the regular regressive assimilation, i.e. [zh],
but it is the progressive assimilation [s] that is used by most native speakers.
Both ways of pronunciation are considered correct in standard pronunciation.
Examples:
shromdn
[srom] = [zhromd]
gathering, assembly
na shledanou [nasledanou] = [nazhledanou]
good-bye, see you
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15
WORD STRESS
Pzvuk
As we have mentioned above,
Stress is placed on the first syllable of the word,
regardless the length of vowels.
Special rules are applied to the stressing of prepositional constructions:
Most prepositions have the power of attracting the stress from the following word, which
results in pronouncing the preposition and the immediately following word as one unit.
(In the following examples, we use bold type for the stressed syllables.)
spelling
pronunciation
na stole
ve kole
do hotelu
za nam domem
pro tebe
bez va pomoci
[nastole]
[vekole]
[dohotelu]
[zanam domem]
[protebe]
[bezva pomoci]
on the table
at school
to the hotel
behind our house
for you
without your help
If the preposition is followed by a word with an initial vowel, the (stressed) preposition is
separated by means of the glottal stop, in the International Phonetic Alphabet indicated as
[ ].
Moreover, the glottal stop behaves as a voiceless consonant, with the consequence of
devoicing the preceding voiced vowels, in accordance with the above mentioned assimilation
rules.
spelling
pronunciation
do auta
[doauta]
into the car
u okna
[uokna]
near the window
z Anglie
[sanglije]
from England
v Evrop
[fevropje]
in Europe
Some prepositions however, do not divest the following word of its stress, the prepositional
construction thus being prounounced with level stresses. This concerns especially the
prepositions bhem, krom, vedle, kolem, okolo, blzko, podle, msto (see chapter 28 Genitive), proti, naproti, kvli (see chapter 30 - Dative), mezi (see chapter 31 Instrumental). See also the summarizing list chapter 36.
Examples:
bhem lta
krom ptku
kolem stolu
blzko ndra
proti vm
mezi nmi
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[bjehem lta]
[krome ptku]
[kolem stolu]
[blsko ndra]
[pro i vm]
[mezi nmi]
during the summer

except Friday
round the table
near the railway station
against you
among us
16
The explanation of spelling pronunciation relations can be concluded by stating that

it is very easy to read Czech. Its enough to know the articulatory and acoustic qualities of
vowels and consonants (which is an obvious presuppposition in every language), and the
above mentioned four regular deviations. Then you can read aloud any Czech text.
CZECH ALPHABET
esk abeceda
name of
the letter
a
b
c
e
f
g
h
ch
i
b
c
ef
g
h
ch
(= mkk )
name of
the letter
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
(q)
r
j
k
el
em
en
e
p
kv
er
e
name of
the letter
s
u
v
(w)
x
y
z
es
e
t
v
dvojit v
iks
ypsilon (= tvrd y)
zet
et
Remark:
The letters q and w are sometimes left out in the alphabet list, due to
their rare occurence in foreign words only.
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17
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, PRONOUNS, NUMERALS
WORD CLASSES
Slovn druhy
Czech grammar has its own terminology for word classes, morphological categories and
syntactic relations. Besides that, Latin terms are used (often slightly modified).
CZECH FORM
podstatn jmno
pdavn jmno
zjmeno
slovka
sloveso
pslovce
pedloka
spojka
citoslovce
stice
LATIN
(in adapted form)
substantivum
adjektivum
pronomen
numerale
verbum
adverbium
prepozice
konjunkce
interjekce
partikule
English equivalent
noun
adjective
pronoun
numeral
verb
adverb
preposition
conjunction
interjection
particle
Pronouns constitute a heterogenous class, and it is useful to mention their

subclassification. (The reason: Some of them border on other word classes which is
reflected even in their split arrangement in this manual.)
zjmeno:
pronoun:
osobn
personal
pivlastovac = posesivn
possessive
ukazovac = demonstrativn
demonstrative
tzac = interogativn
interrogative
vztan = relativn
relative
neurit
indefinite
zporn
negative
Czech is an inflectional language with highly developed declensions (deklinace =
skloovn) of nominal word classes, and conjugations (konjugace = asovn) of verbs.
(Basic facts about verbal categories are mentioned in chapter 12.)
NOUNS, ADJECTIVES and even some PRONOUNS and NUMERALS are
characterized by three morphological categories: rod (gender), slo (number), pd (case).
There are three grammatical genders, viz. maskulinum = musk rod (masculine),
femininum = ensk rod (feminine), neutrum = stedn rod (neuter).
The category of number distinguishes between singulr = jednotn slo (singular) and
plurl = mnon slo (plural).
The category of pd comprises seven cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative,
vocative, locative, instrumental.
www.factumcz.cz
18
The chapters 4 11 introduce basic information about NOUNS and ADJECTIVES, as

well as selected classes of PRONOUNS and NUMERALS, with the attention limited to the
category of grammatical gender in singular nominative.
(Nominative singular, which is found as the dictionary entry, represents the basic, unmarked
form of nouns and adjectives.)
The categories of case and number start to be dealt with in chapter 20, after the explanations
of verbs so as to be able to present both the morphology and the syntactic functions.
GENDER OF NOUNS
Rod substantiv
An inseparable property of every Czech noun is the lexicogrammatical category of gender.

There are three genders: masculine, feminine, neuter.
maskulinum = musk rod = masculine
The terminology:
= feminine
femininum = ensk rod
neutrum
= stedn rod = neuter
(abbreviated by the initial letters m., f., n., or m., ., s.)
Nouns denoting persons are mostly masculines or feminines usually in accordance with the
natural gender, e.g.:
masculine:
mu = man, kluk = boy, uitel = (male) teacher, student = (male) student, ech = Czech
(male), cizinec = foreigner (male), Adam, Tom, Petr, Martin (male proper nouns);
feminine:
ena = woman, dvka = girl, uitelka = female teacher, studentka = female student, eka
= Czech (female), cizinka = foreigner (female), Eva, Zuzana, Petra, Martina (female
proper nouns)
Unlike in English, even any other noun belongs to one of the three grammatical genders,
without any logical reason. Examples:
masculine:
stl = table, desk, dm = house, pokoj = room (in a flat or hotel), byt = flat, apartment,
hotel = hotel, telefon = phone, kl = key, lstek = ticket, papr = paper, dopis = letter,
slovnk = dictionary, Londn = London
feminine:
kniha = book, mapa = map, adresa = address, kola = school, banka = bank, taka = bag,
zprva = message, Praha = Prague, Evropa = Europe, ulice = street, idle = chair,
televize = TV, prce = work, job, Anglie = England , vc = thing, matter
neuter:
slovo = word, msto = town, city, okno = window, auto = car, rdio = radio, slo =
number, jmno = name, Nmecko = Germany, ndra = railway station, nmst =
square(in a town), parkovit = car park, letit = airport, kino = cinema
(The situation is similar to that in German. Of course, the
gender of a particular noun is not identical in the two languages.)
www.factumcz.cz
19
The gender of every noun must be learnt by heart. Still, there are some general tendencies that
may help a foreign learner. They can be described in the following -simplified- way:
Nouns ending in the vowel -a are mostly feminines.
Nouns ending in the vowel -o are mostly neuters.
Nouns ending in the vowel - are mostly neuters.
Nouns ending in the vowel -e may be either feminines or neuters; sometimes masculines.
Nouns ending in a consonant are mostly masculines, less frequently feminines.
(Chapter 33 mentions even noun patterns with different relations.)
Examples:
MASCULINE
consonant
stl
table
dm
house
hotel
hotel
telefon
phone
internet
internet
lstek
ticket
papr
paper
dopis
letter
text
text
film
film
jazyk
language
slovnk
dictionary
obraz
picture
vlak
train
autobus
bus
taxk
taxi
vtah
lift
most
bridge
obchod
shop,business
pokoj
room
kl
key
pota
computer
n
knife
www.factumcz.cz
FEMININE
-A
kniha
book
mapa
map
adresa
address
banka
bank
knihovna library
kola
school
taka
bag
vta
sentence
zprva
message;news
tuka
pencil
otzka
question
chodba
corridor
stecha
roof
eka
river
etina
Cz.language
republika republic
Praha
Prague
Evropa
Europe
NEUTER
-O
slovo
msto
okno
auto
pero
rdio
kino
slo
jmno
letadlo
metro
Brno
word
town
window
car
pen
radio
cinema
number
name
airplane
underground
(a Czech town)
-
nmst
ndra
poas
poschod
square
railway station
weather
floor, storey
(-E)
zem
ulice
idle
televize
country
street
chair
TV
(-E)
letit
nstupit
parkovit
moe
airport
platform
car park
sea
consonant
vc
tramvaj
odpov
kancel
my
thing; matter
tram
answer
office
mouse
20
The gender of a noun requires the corresponding gender form even in connection with words
of other classes, viz.
adjectives (see more in chapter 5), e.g.
m.
f.
esk uitel
esk uitelka
Czech teacher (male) Czech teacher (female)
nov slovnk
nov mapa
new dictionary
new map
dlouh most
dlouh cesta
long bridge
long journey
n.
esk dt
Czech child
nov slo
new number
dlouh slovo
long word
possessive pronouns (see more in chapter 7), e.g.

m.
f.
mj syn
moje (= m) rodina
my son
my family
n dm
nae knihovna
our house
our library
n.
moje (= m) vnoue
my grandchild
nae msto
our town
demonstrative pronouns (see more in chapter 8), e.g.

m.
f.
ten hotel
ta univerzita
the hotel
the university
tento problm
tato otzka
this problem
this question
n.
to letit
the airport
toto een
this solustion
pronouns that have adjectival forms, e.g.

m.
f.
nkter cizinec
nkter odpov
some/a foreigner
some/a answer
dn podpis
dn adresa
no signature
no address
n.
nkter parkovit
some/a car park
dn jmno
no name
most ordinal numerals (see more in chapter 11), e.g.

m.
f.
tvrt rok
tvrt otzka
fourth year
fourth answer
n.
tvrt nstupit
fourth platform
cardinal numeral one (see more on the following page and in chapter 10), e.g.
m.
f.
n.
jeden pn
jedna pan
jedno zve
one man
one woman
one animal
jeden pota
jedna vc
jedno poschod
one computer
one thing
one floor
www.factumcz.cz
21
Even the verb participle in the past tense must be in concord with the grammatical gender of
the syntactic subject (see more in chapter 14), e.g.
m.
m.
f.
f.
n.
n.
Martin mluvil anglicky.

To byl dlouh text.
Linda mluvila nmecky.
To byla tk otzka.
To dt mluvilo esky.
To bylo moje pero.
Martin was speaking English.

It was a long text.
Linda was speaking German.
It was a difficult question.
The child was speaking Czech.
It was my pen.
REMARK ON DETERMINATION:
There are no articles in Czech.
A noun, e.g. kniha, corresponds to both a book,
and the book;
the expression student may be both
a student and the student.
The indefiniteness or definiteness usually follows from the context and situation and it
can also be expressed by word order.
Sometimes, the English indefinite article may have an equivalent in
the numeral JEDEN, JEDNA, JEDNO (= one),
and the English definite article may have its counterpart in
the demonstrative pronoun TEN, TA, TO (= this or that).
The choice of one of the three forms must be in concord with the grammatical gender of
the noun.
e.g.:
m.
f.
n.
JEDEN
TEN
mu, cizinec,
stl, kl, lstek
JEDNA
TA
ena, eka,
kniha, ulice, vc
JEDNO
TO
slovo, slo, nmst,
parkovit
Examples:
Ve mst je jedno kino a jedna banka. There is one cinema and one bank in the town .
(= There is a cinema and a bank in the town.)
Ten mu je cizinec a ta ena je eka. That man is a foreigner and that woman is Czech.
(= The man is a foreigner and the woman is Czech).
Notice, however, that in the constructions Co je to? (What is it?), Kdo je to? (Who is
it?), To je (It is ), To nen (It is not ..), the pronoun TO is used, irrespective of
the gender of the noun.
The demonstrative pronoun TO corresponds to the English IT, THIS, THAT. It does not
distinguish nearer deixis and remoter deixis. Czech equivalents of the English this and
that are dealt with in chapter 8.
www.factumcz.cz
22
ADJECTIVE
Adjektivum = Pdavn jmno
Adjective forms must be in concord with the grammatical gender of noun.

Most adjectives are traditionally called
TVRD ADJEKTIVA (hard adjectives).
Their endings in nominative singular are
MASCULINE
FEMININE
-
NEUTER
-
e.g.:
nov dm
new house
esk uitel
Czech teacher
modr papr
blue paper
nov zprva
new message
esk televize
Czech television
modr taka
blue bag
nov letit
new airport
esk msto
Czech town
modr auto
blue car
In dictionaries and vocabularies, only the masculine form is presented.

A minority of Czech adjectives belong to
MKK ADJEKTIVA (soft adjectives).
Such adjectives remain unchanged in all the three genders nominative singular, i.e.
MASCULINE
FEMININE
-
NEUTER
-
e
ciz jazyk
foreign language
hlavn program
main programme
modern hotel
modern hotel
ciz zem
ciz jmno
foreign country
foreign name
hlavn ulice
hlavn msto
main / high street
capital (city)
modern ena
modern letit
modern woman
modern airport
MIND THE FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTIONS:

Praha je krsn.
adj. refers to Praha, f.
Prague is beautiful.
Praha je krsn msto.
Prague is a beautiful town.
etina je zajmav.
Czech (language) is interesting.
etina je zajmav jazyk.
Czech is an interesting language.
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23
adj. refers to msto, n.

adj. refers to etina, f.
adj. refers to jazyk, m.
When referring to something as TO (it), i.e. without using a noun, the adjective is neuter.
To je dobr.
To nen dobr.
Its good.
It isnt good.
To je hezk.
To nen hezk.
Its nice.
It isnt nice.
To je zajmav.
To nen zajmav. It isnt interesting.
Its interesting.
To je dleit.
To nen dleit.
Its important.
It isnt important.
To je tk.
To nen tk.
Its difficult.
It isnt difficult.
To je drah.
To nen drah.
Its expensive.
It isnt expensive.
--------------------------
The interrogative pronoun JAK? (m.), JAK? (f.), JAK? (n.)

(adjective forms)
asks about quality, size, colour, sort, etc.
An adjective is mostly required in the answer.
(English translation varies, e.g.:
What kind of , What like, What colour, What size ?)
Examples:
Jak je ten pokoj?
Jak je ten lstek?
Jak je ta kniha?
Jak je etina?
Jak je poas?
Jak je Brno?
Ten pokoj je mal.

The room is small.
Ten lstek je zelen.
The ticket is green.
Ta kniha je vborn.
The book is excellent.
etina je lehk.
Czech language is easy.
Poas je dobr.
The weather is good.
Brno je hezk.
Brno is nice.
---------------------------
The interrogative pronoun KTER? (m.), KTER? (f.), KTER? (n.)

(adjective forms)
asks about identfication (usually choosing from a set of items).
English translation usually Which?, What?
Examples:
Kter den je dnes?
What day is it today?
Kter tramvaj tam jede?
Which tram goes there?
Kter auto je vae?
Which car is yours?
www.factumcz.cz
Dnes je ptek.
It is Friday today.
slo sedmnct.
Number seventeen.
To modr.
The blue one.
24
PERSONAL PRONOUN
Osobn zjmeno
SINGULAR
prvn osoba
1st person
druh osoba
2nd person
tet osoba
3rd person
PLURAL
prvn osoba
1st person
druh osoba
2nd person
tet osoba
3rd person
J
TY
ON
ONA
ONO
MY
VY
ONI
(ONY)
(ONA)
The 1st person pronouns J , MY are equivalent to the English pronouns I, we.
In 2nd person,
the pronoun TY is used for a person that we are on intimate terms with (e.g.:
family members, students in a class, close friends). The person is usually addressed
by first name. The pronoun ty is also used for addressing children.
Using the pronoun TY is called TYKN.
The pronoun VY refers either to more persons, or to one person as a more formal
way of addressing. A singular person is usually addressed by family name,
profession or academic degree in the grammatical form of the vocative case (see
chapter 32), e.g. pane ern Mr. ern, pan Novkov Ms. Novkov, pane
doktore doctor; pane vrchn waiter, pane prezidente Mr. President.
Using the pronoun VY for one person is called VYKN.
The difference between ty and vy (TYKN VYKN)
corresponds to the French tu vous,
and its function is comparable to the German du Sie.
In 3rd person singular,
ON refers to grammatical masculines (see chapter 4);
ONA refers to grammatical feminines (see chapter 4);
ONO refers to grammatical neuters (see chapter 4);
The personal pronoun ONO is often replaced by the demonstrative pronoun TO.
rd
In 3 person plural,
ONI corresponds to the English pronoun they.
Remark: The formal standard language requires the pronoun ONY for inanimate
masculines and for feminines, and the pronoun ONA for feminines.
These forms, however, are not frequent in practice, as they are felt to be rather
obsolete. In the non-standard variety they are usually replaced by the form ONI.
www.factumcz.cz
25
POSSESSIVE PRONOUN
Posesivn zjmeno = Pivlastovac zjmeno
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
referring to English equivalents
masculine
feminine
neuter
my
mj
moje (= m) *
moje (= m) *
ty
your for ty
tvj
tvoje (= tv) *
tvoje (= tv) *
on
his grammatical m.
jeho
jeho
jeho
ona
her grammatical f.
jej
jej
jej
ono
its grammatical n.
jeho
jeho
jeho
my
our
nae
nae
vy
your for vy
vae
vae
}their
jejich
jejich
jejich
oni
(ony)
(ona)
*
The choice between moje-m, moje-m, tvoje-tv, tvoje-tv

depends on the individual speakers decision.
The forms m, tv, m, tv may be felt as belonging to a higher style.
The pronoun jej has the forms identical with soft adjectives (see chapter 5).
The pronuns jeho (for both masculine and neuter) remain unchanged.
The form of the Possessive Pronoun must agree with the gender of the noun:
mj telefon
my phone
tvj pokoj
your room
jeho uitel
his teacher
jej program
her program
n byt
our flat
v slovnk
you dictionary
jejich dm
their house
www.factumcz.cz
moje (=m) adresa

my address
tvoje (=tv) otzka
your question
jeho prce
his job
jej taka
her bag
nae zprva
our message
vae banka
your bank
jejich uitelka
their lady teacher
26
moje (m) jmno

my name
tvoje (=tv) slo
your number
jeho auto
his car
jej okno
her window
nae msto
our town
vae jmno
your name
jejich letit
their airport
The question for Possessive Pronouns is ? (= Whose?)

JE TO ?
Whose is this?
There is no difference between the form of the possessive pronoun used attributively or
predicatively (i.e. mj = my, mine; tvj = your, yours ).
Examples:
je to kl?
Whose key is it?
To je mj kl.
Its my key.
je ten kl?
Whose is the key?
Ten kl je mj.
The key is mine.
je to taka?
Whose bag is it?
To je tvoje (= tv) taka.

Its your bag.
je ta taka?
Whose is the bag?
Ta taka je tvoje (= tv).

The bag is yours.
je to auto?
Whose car is it?
To je nae auto.
Its our car.
je to auto?
Whose is the car?
To auto je nae.
The car is ours.
www.factumcz.cz
27
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN
Demonstrativn zjmeno = Ukazovac zjmeno
Demonstrative pronouns ten (m.), ta (f.), to (n.) refer to nouns without distinguishing
speakers distance, i.e. they may correspond both to this and that in English. (They may
sometimes correspond to the English definite articles as mentioned in chapter 4.)
The equivalent to the English this that, i.e. the distinction between near deixis and
remote deixis, is explicitly expressed by means of uninflected suffixes (-to, -hle) or
prefixes (tam- ), as shown in the following chart:
m.
f.
n.
the, this, that
TEN
TA
TO
this
TENTO
= TENHLE
TATO
= TAHLE
TOTO
= TOHLE
that
TAMTEN
TAMTA
TAMTO
Examples:
Co je tohle? Co je tamto?
Tohle je pero a tamto je tuka.
Tenhle kl je mj a tamten je tvj.
Tahle ulice je krtk a tamta je dlouh.
Tohle ndra je star a tamto je nov.
Tato zprva je nov a tamta je star.
What is this? What is that?

This is a pen and that is a pencil.
This key is mine and that (one) is yours.
This street is short and that (one) is long.
This railway station is old and that (one) is new.
This message is new and that (one)is old.
*
1:
There is no semantic difference between the forms

TENTO
TATO
TOTO and
TENHLE TAHLE TOHLE.
Some native speakers may feel a stylistic difference, considering
the upper line stylistically higher than the lower line.
2.
The suffixes -TO and -HLE

and the prefix TAMare added to the basic pronoun
and they always remain uchanged.
The pronouns TEN, TA, TO
are inflected in gender, number and case
(as will be shown later),
both in isolated forms
and in combination with the mentioned suffixes and prefixes.
www.factumcz.cz
28
SUMMARY OF THE FORMS OF
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS,
Numeral JEDEN,
ADJECTIVES,
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
( NOMINATIVE SINGULAR ONLY )
Adjective
a: hard
b: soft
Possessive Pronouns
Demonstrative Pronoun
Numeral one
Singular
Nominative
masculine
feminine
neuter
nov
ciz
nov
ciz
nov
ciz
MJ
MOJE (M)
MOJE (M)
tvj
tvoje (tv)
tvoje (tv)
NAE
NAE
vae
vae
TEN
tento = tenhle
tamten
TA
tato = tahle
tamta
TO
toto = tohle
tamto
JEDEN
JEDNA
JEDNO
Mnemonic advice for foreign learners:

For memorizing the forms of the other grammatical cases, it may be useful to
remember the basic forms of adjectives, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns
(and the numeral one) in the following layout and then learn the corresponding
forms of the other cases, both singular and plural.
masculine
ten
jeden
mj
n
neuter
nov
ciz
to
jedno
moje
(=m)
nae
feminine
nov
ciz
ta
jedna
moje
(=m)
nae
nov
ciz
This arangement is used in the following presentation of the forms of genitive (chapter 28),
locative (chapter 29), dative (chapter 30), instrumental (chapter 31).
www.factumcz.cz
29
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
CARDINAL NUMERALS
Zkladn slovky
jeden / jedna / jedno

dva / dv
ti
tyi
pt
est
sedm
osm
devt
deset
7, 17, 70
8, 18, 80
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
jedenct
dvanct
tinct
trnct
patnct
estnct
sedmnct
osmnct
devatenct
dvacet
are pronounced
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
deset
dvacet
ticet
tyicet
padest
edest
sedmdest
osmdest
devadest
sto
[sedum], [sedumnct], [sedumdest]

[osum], [osumnct], [osumdest]
In connection with a noun, the numeral one must take the forms
jeden for masculine
jedna for femininine
jedno for neuter
e.g.
jeden lstek
jedna mapa
jedno slovo
jeden pokoj
jedna ulice
jedno auto
jeden mu
jedna ena
jedno slo
jeden ech
jedna eka
jedno nmst
In connection with a noun , the numeral two ditinguishes between
dva for masculine
dv for feminine and neuter
e.g.
dva lstky
dv mapy
dv slova
dva pokoje
dv ulice
dv auta
dva mui
dv eny
dv sla
dva ei
dv eky
dv nmst
The other numerals use the same form irespective the gender of the noun.
21
22
23
31
32
dvacet jedna = jed(e)nadvacet

dvacet dva = dvaadvacet
dvacet ti = tiadvacet
ticet jedna = jedenaticet

ticet dva = dvaaticet
The question KOLIK?
www.factumcz.cz
Numbers 21 29, 31 39, 91 99

may be read either in the normal way, or
even in inverted order (like in German).
(in English how many? or how much?)
30
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1 000
(jedno) sto
dv st
ti sta
tyi sta
pt set
est set
sedm set
osm set
devt set
(jeden) tisc
1 000
2 000
3 000
4 000
5 000
6 000
7 000
8 000
9 000
10 000
11 000
12 000
100 000
200 000
(jeden) tisc
dva tisce
ti tisce
tyi tisce
pt tisc
est tisc
sedm tisc
osm tisc
devt tisc
deset tisc
jedenct tisc
dvanct tisc
.
tisc
sto tisc
dv st tisc
1 000 000
2 000 000
3 000 000
4 000 000
5 000 000
6 000 000
7 000 000
8 000 000
9 000 000
10 000 000
(jeden) milion
dva miliony
ti miliony
tyi miliony
pt milion
est milion
sedm milion
osm milion
devt milion
deset milion
milion
Remarks:
Plural forms of nouns, adjectives and pronouns are presented in chapters
26 and 27.
The form dv st (200) is a relic of the grammatical dual number,
indicating two items.
The forms sta, tisce, miliony in the numerals corresponding to
300, 400; 2 000, 3 000, 4 000; 2 000 000, 3 000 000, 4 000 000
represent the nominative case of plural.
All the other forms starting from 5, i.e. set, tisc, milion,
represent the genitive case of plural. See chapter 28.
The numerals corresponding to the numbers
1101 1999 may be read in two ways:
either:
or :
1101
1348
1620
1781
1918
1945
1968
1989
1999
tisc jedna
tisc ti sta tyicet osm
(one thousand three hundred fourty-eight)
tisc est set dvacet
tisc sedm set osmdest jedna
tisc devt set osmnct
tisc devt se tyicet pt
tisc devt set edest osm
tisc devt set osmdest devt
tisc devt set devadest devt
2000
2001
2002
2010
2015
www.factumcz.cz
jedenct set jedna

tinct set tyicet osm
(thirteen hundred fourty-eight) etc.
estnct set dvacet
sedmnct set osmdest jedna
devatenct set osmnct
devatenct set tyicet pt
devatenct set edest osm
devatenct set osmdest devt
devatenct set devadest devt
dva tisce
dva tisce jedna
dva tisce dva
dva tisce deset
dva tisce patnct
31
11
ORDINAL AND MULTIPLICATIVE NUMERALS

adov a nsobn slovky
A: ORDINAL NUMERALS (adov slovky)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
prvn
druh
tet
tvrt
pt
est
sedm
osm
devt
dest
first
second
third
fourth
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
jedenct
dvanct
tinct
trnct
patnct
estnct
sedmnct
osmnct
devatenct
dvact
21.
22.
30.
31.
40.
50.
60.
70.
80.
90.
100.
The question for ordinal numerals is
dvact prvn = jedenadvact

dvact druh = dvaadvact
tict
tict prvn = jedenatict
tyict
padest
edest
sedmdest
osmdest
devadest
st
KOLIKT?
Ordinal numerals are inflected in the same way as hard adjectives, e.g.
masculine
feminine
neuter
druh jazyk
second language
tvrt projekt
fourth project
pt vlak
fifth train
druh vta
second sentence
tvrt zprva
fourth message
pt dvka
fifth girl
druh slovo
second word
tvrt poschod
fourth flor
pt nstupit
fifth platform
Numerals prvn, tet, as well as the adjective posledn (last), are inflected like
soft adjectives, i.e. they remain unchanged in the nominative case, e.g.
www.factumcz.cz
masculine
feminine
neuter
prvn program
first programme
tet mu
third man
posledn vlak
last train
prvn vta
first sentence
tet lekce
third lesson
posledn minuta
last minute
prvn patro
first floor
tet okno
third window
posledn slovo
last word
32
If digits are used for the ordinal numerals, a point is written, i. e. 1. 2. 3. 4.

corresponding to the English 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th .
Remark: The numerals DRUH, DRUH, DRUH mean either:

second
druh dm vlevo
druh lekce
druh patro
or
the second house on the left

second lesson
second floor
the other
Tohle je Petr. A kdo je ten druh

kluk?
Jedna taka je erven a druh je
modr.
Jedno slo je nahoe a druh je
dole.
This is P. And who is the other boy?

One bag is red and the other (one) is blue.
One number is above and the other (one) is
below.
B: ADVERBIAL ORDINAL NUMERALS (Adverbiln adov slovky)

poprv
podruh
potet
potvrt
podest
post
naposledy
for the first time

for the second time
for the third time
for he fourth time
for the tenth time
for the hundredth time
for the last time
The question: POKOLIKT ?
C: MULTIPLICATIVE NUMERALS (Nsobn slovky)

jednou
dvakrt
tikrt
tyikrt
krt
once
twice
three times
four times
times
The question: KOLIKRT ?
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33
VERBS: CONJUGATION, TENSE, ASPECT
12
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION ABOUT VERBS
Verbs are classified according to various semantic and syntactic criteria,

e.g. lexical auxiliary modal; intransitive monotransitive ditransitive ; static dynamic;
finite non-finite, etc.
The morphological categories of Czech verbs can be enumerated like this:
terminology used in Czech
person
1st
2nd
3rd
number
singular
plural
tense
present
past
future
aspect
imperfective
perfective
mood
indicative
imperative
conditional
voice
active
passive
osoba
prvn
druh
tet
slo
jednotn = singulr
mnon = plurl
as
ptomn (przens)
minul (prteritum
budouc (futurum)
vid
nedokonav
dokonav
zpsob
oznamovac = indikativ
rozkazovac = imperativ
podmiovac = kondicionl
slovesn rod (modus verbi)
inn = aktivum
trpn = pasivum
The following chapters (13 15 ) bring information about the verbal inflection called
conjugation (in Czech asovn = konjugace), in the indicative mood of the active voice,
presenting the three tenses even in connection with the category of aspect (chapter 16).
Some specific features of the motion verbs are mentioned in chapter 17,
modal verbs are introduced in chapter 18.
The remaining moods, i.e. imperative and conditional are presented later, in chapters 44 and
45.
Even the passive voice is explained later (chapter 48) and it is referred to even in connection
with the reflexive pronouns (chapter 50).
www.factumcz.cz
34
VERBS: PRESENT TENSE

Slovesa: ptomn as
13
Like in many other languages, the conjugation of the Czech verb BT (to be) is irregular.
Affirmative forms
kladn tvary
Negative forms
zporn tvary
infinitive
BT
to be
infinitive
NEBT
j
ty
on
ona
ono/to
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
JSEM
JSI
JSME
JSTE
I am
you are
he
she } is
it
we are
you are
NEJSEM I am not
you are not
NEJSI
he
she } is not
NEN
it
NEJSME we are not
NEJSTE you are not
JSOU
they are
j
ty
on
ona
ono/to
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
JE
not to be
NEJSOU they are not
The NEGATIVE FORMS of all verbs use the inseparable prefix ne-.
In PRONUNCIATION of the verb forms jsem, jsi, jsme, jste, jsou,
the initial [j] sound is left out, which results in the pronounced forms
[sem], [si], [sme], [ste], [sou] .
In writing, however, the consonant j- must be preserved!
In negative forms, the consonant j must be kept both in the spelling and in the
pronunciation.
As the verb form differs in each person, personal pronouns are superfluous.
E.g. I am at home may be expressed either as J jsem doma or only Jsem doma.
Personal pronouns are necessary, however, when indicating a contrast, e.g.
J jsem uitel a vy jste student. I am a teacher and you are a student.
My jsme v Praze a ona je v Brn. We are in Prague and she is in Brno.
Presence or absence of personal pronouns is a matter of usage and balance.
Examples:
J jsem Amerian.
I am American. (male)
= Jsem Amerian
J nejsem v Londn. = Nejsem v Londn. I am not in London.
Ty jsi ve mst?
Are you in the town?
= Jsi ve mst?
Petr je doma.
Peter is at home.
Martina nen doma.
Martina is not at home.
On je doma.
He/She is at home
= Je doma.
Ona nen doma.
He/She is not at home,
= Nen doma.
My jsme Praze.
We are in Prague.
= Jsme v Praze.
My nejsme v Brn.
We are not in Brno.
= Nejsme v Brn.
Vy jste v hotelu?
Are you in the hotel?
= Jste v hotelu?
Oni jsou v prci.
They are at work.
= Jsou v prci.
Oni nejsou v prci.
They are not at work.
= Nejsou v prci.
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35
The other verbs (with a few exceptions that are shown in chapter 18) follow
one of the three regular patterns throughout the present tense conjugation:
j
ty
on, ona, ono
my
vy
oni, ony, ona
-M
-
-
-ME
-TE
-AJ
-M
-
-
-ME
-TE
- (-J)
-U (-I )
-E
-E
-EME
-ETE
-OU (- )
The relations between present tense endings and infinitive:
Coursebooks for foreign learners mostly mention both the infinitive and the conjugation type.
Dictionaries, however, usually present only the infinitive form.
For that reason, it is necessary to know the regular relations between infinitive and the
present tense conjugation. They can be summarized (in a rather simplified way) like this:
Most verbs with the infinitive ending

-AT
use the inflectional endings
-M, -, -, -ME, -TE, -AJ .
Examples:
infinitive
dlat
do, make
j
dlm
ty
dl
on, ona, ono
dl
my
dlme
vy
dlte
oni, ony, ona
dlaj
kat
say, tell
km
k
k
kme
kte
kaj
ekat
wait
ekm
ek
ek
ekme
ekte
ekaj
hledat
look for, seek
hledm
hled
hled
hledme
hledte
hledaj
A limited number of verbs with the infinitive ending

-AT
-U, -E, -E, -EME, -ETE, -OU .
Examples:
infinitive
plavat
hrabat
kalat
swim
rake
cough
j
plavu
hrabu
kalu
ty
plave
hrabe
kale
on, ona, ono
plave
hrabe
kale
my
plaveme
hrabeme
kaleme
vy
plavete
hrabete
kalete
oni, ony, ona
plavou
hrabou
kalou
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36
doufat
hope
doufm
douf
douf
doufme
doufte
doufaj
Verbs with the infinitive endings

-IT, -T, -ET
-M, -, -, -ME, -TE, - .
Examples:
infinitive
mluvit
vidt
slyet
speak
see
hear
j
mluvm
vidm
slym
ty
mluv
vid
sly
on, ona, ono
mluv
vid
sly
my
mluvme
vidme
slyme
vy
mluvte
vidte
slyte
oni, ony, ona
mluv
vid
sly
A few verbs use the 3rd person plural ending -j / -ej

(frequently side by side with the ending -) .
Examples:
infinitive
rozumt
pemlet
understand
think, meditate
j
rozumm
pemlm
ty
rozum
peml
on, ona, ono
rozum
peml
my
rozumme
pemlme
vy
rozumte
pemlte
oni, ony, ona
rozumj = rozum pemlej = peml
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37
Verbs wih the infinitive ending

-OVAT
-I -(U), -E, -E, -EME, -ETE, - (-OU)
after replacing the infix -OV- by the infix -UJ-
Examples:
infinitive
pracovat
opakovat
potebovat
work
repeat
need
j
pracuji (pracuju) opakuji (opakuju)
potebuji (potebuju)
ty
pracuje
opakuje
potebuje
on, ona, ono
pracuje
opakuje
potebuje
my
pracujeme
opakujeme
potebujeme
vy
pracujete
opakujete
potebujete
oni, ony, ona
pracuj (pracujou) opakuj (opakujou)
potebuj (potebujou)
The endings -U (1st person singular) and -OU (3rd person plural)
are usual in the informal style.
Mind the important difference between the infinitive ending

-at
(dlat dlm )
-ovat
(pracovat pracuji / pracuju ).
Verbs with the infinitive ending

-NOUT
use the regular inflectional endings
-U, -E, -E, -EME, -ETE, -OU .
Examples:
infinitive
prominout
excuse, forgive
j
prominu
ty
promine
on, ona, ono
promine
my
promineme
vy
prominete
oni, ony, ona
prominou
sednout si
sit down
sednu si
sedne si
sedne si
sedneme si
sednete si
sednou si
vimnout si
take notice of
vimnu si
vimne si
vimne si
vimneme si
vimnete si
vimnou si
The verbs sednout si and vimnout si are reflexive. See chapter 50.
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38
Even verbs that have different infinitive endings follow one of the three conjugation
paradigms. It is sufficient to learn 1st person singular so as to be able to conjugate the verb in
all the other persons.
Examples:
infinitive
mt
znt
stt
pst
st
have
know
stand
write
read
j
mm
znm
stojm
pu
tu
ty
m
zn
stoj
pe
te
on, ona, ono
m
zn
stoj
pe
te
my
mme
znme
stojme
peme
teme
vy
mte
znte
stojte
pete
tete
oni, ony, ona
maj
znaj
stoj
pou
tou
Personal pronouns may be left out with all verbs, in the same way as with the
verb bt. Presence or absence of personal pronouns is a matter of usage and balance. It
doesnt change the meaning.
The NEGATIVE prefix ne- is written together with the verb:
E.g.:
nedlat
not to do
nedlm
nedl
nedl
nedlme
nedlte
nedlaj
nemluvit
not to speak
nemluvm
nemluv
nemluv
nemluvme
nemluvte
nemluv
nestudovat
not to study
nestuduji
nestuduje
nestuduje
nestudujeme
nestudujete
nestuduj
nest
not to read
netu
nete
nete
neteme
netete
netou
I dont do
I am not doing
I dont speak
I dont study
I dont read
I am not speaking I am not studying I am not reading
THE QUESTION of Yes No type is mostly indicated by intonation only. E.g.:

Declarative
Interrogative
(Vy) Hledte pana Novka.

(Vy) Hledte pana Novka?
You are looking for Mr.Novk

Are you looking for Mr.Novk?
Declarative
Interrogative
Musme ekat.
Musme ekat?
We must wait.
Must we wait?
If the subject is expressed in 3rd person, the question is formed by inverting the word order.
E.g.:
Declarative
Helena mluv esky.
Helen speaks Czech.
Interrogative
Mluv Helena esky?
Does Helen speak Czech?
Declarative
Interrogative
www.factumcz.cz
Pan editel je v kanceli..

Je pan editel v kanceli?
39
The director is in the office.

Is the director in the office?
VERBS: PAST TENSE

Slovesa: minul as
14
The structure of past tense can be illustrated by the following pattern:

1
Personal Pronoun
2
Auxiliary Verb
- with 1st and 2nd person
3
Past Participle
As an illustration, we can use the past tense of the verb BT (to be).
j
j
jsem byl
jsem byla
I was
I was
(male speaker)
(female speaker)
ty
ty
jsi
jsi
byl
byla
you were
you were
(a male person addressed - tykn)

(a female person addressed - tykn)
byl
byla
bylo
he was
she was
it was
(grammatical masculine)
(grammatical feminine)
(grammatical neuter)
on
ona
ono / to
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
jsme byli
jste byli
byli
byly
byla
we were
you were
they were
they were
they were
(two or more persons addressed)

(masculine animate)
(masculine inanimate + feminine)
(neuter)
vy
vy
jste
jste
you were
you were
(one male person addressed - vykn)

(one female person addressed - vykn)
byl
byla
Comment:
There is no auxiliary verb in 3rd person, either singular or plural.
The auxiliary verb in 1st and 2nd person, both singular and plural, is always equal to the
appropriate form of the present tense of the verb BT, i. e. jsem, jsi, jsme, jste.
Past Participle is formed from the infinitive of the verb in question.
The personal pronoun can be left out in the same way as in the present tense. The
absence of the personal pronoun does not change the meaning, but it has a strong
impact on the word order. The auxiliary verb must always occupy the second
position. See page 42.
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40
PAST PARTICIPLE of regular verbs is formed from the infinitive

by changing the final -t into
for singular masculine
-l
for singular feminine
-la
for singular neuter
-lo
for plural masculine animate
-li
for plural masculine inanimate and feminine
-ly
for plural neuter
-la
Remark: The plural endings -li and -ly differ in pronunciation only.
Moreover, the non-standard variety obecn etina in spoken utterances uses the
plural ending -li without regard to the gender reference. (See Appendix.)
INFINITIVE
m.
dlat
vidt
mluvit
pracovat
dlal
vidl
mluvil
pracoval
PAST
singular
f.
n.
PARTICIPLE
plural
m.anim. m.inanim.
+ f.
dlala
dlalo
dlali
dlaly
vidla
vidlo
vidli
vidly
mluvila
mluvilo
mluvili
mluvily
pracovala pracovalo pracovali
pracovaly
n.
dlala
vidla
mluvila
pracovala
If there is a verb with infinitive other than -at, -t, -et, -it, -ovat, it is useful to memorize
Infinitive, Present Tense 1st person singular, Past Participle (singular masculine), e.g.:
mt, mm, ml
znt, znm, znal
stt, stojm, stl
st, tu, etl
pst, pu, psal
www.factumcz.cz
41
have
know
stand
read
write
WORD ORDER IN THE PAST TENSE

with pronouns
1
j
j
ty
ty
on
ona
ono/to
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
JSEM
JSEM
JSI
JSI
vy
vy
JSTE
JSTE
JSME
JSTE
without
pronouns
byl
byla
byl
byla
byl
byla
bylo
byli
byli
byli
byly
byla
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
byl
byla
byl
byla
byl
byla
bylo
byli
byli
byli
byly
byla
JSEM
JSEM
JSI
JSI
byl
byla
=
=
byl
byla
JSTE
JSTE
JSME
JSTE
I was (male speaker)

I was (female speaker)
you were (male)
you were (female)
he was (grammat. m.)
she was (grammat. f.)
it was
(grammat. n.)
we were
you were (more persons)
they were (m.animate)
they were (m.inanim. + f.)
they were (n.)
you were (one male pers.)
you were (one female pers.)
The auxiliary verb has a fixed word order. It is always placed at the second position, i.e. it
immediately follows the introductory nominal or adverbial phrase (no matter how many
words the phrase consists of).
Examples:
1
J
Byl
Vera
Vera veer
Vera v pt hodin odpoledne
JSEM
JSEM
JSEM
JSEM
JSEM
3
byl
doma.
byl
byl
byl
4
doma.
My vichni
JSME
byli
doma.
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42
doma.
doma.
doma.
I was at home.
I was at home.
Yesterday I was at home.
Last night I was at home.
Yesterday at 5 a.m., I was at
home.
All of us were at home.
NEGATION is formed by combining the negative prefix ne- with the form of the lexical
verb. This is illustrated by the following examples, where a sentence is presented
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
IN PRESENT TENSE - AFFIRMATIVE FORM WITH PERSONAL PRONOUN

IN PRESENT TENSE - AFFIRMATIVE FORM WITHOUT PERSONAL PRONOUN
IN PRESENT TENSE - NEGATIVE FORM WITH PERSONAL PRONOUN
IN PRESENT TENSE - NEGATIVE FORM WITHOUT PERSONAL PRONOUN:
IN PAST TENSE
- AFFIRMATIVE FORM WITH PERSONAL PRONOUN
IN PAST TENSE
- AFFIRMATIVE FORM WITHOUT PERSONAL PRONOUN
IN PAST TENSE
- NEGATIVE FORM WITH PERSONAL PRONOUN
IN PAST TENSE
- NEGATIVE FORM WITHOUT PERSONAL PRONOUN
1a
1b
1c
1d
1e
1f
1g
1h
J hledm tuku
Hledm tuku.
J nehledm tuku.
Nehledm tuku.
J jsem hledal(a) tuku
Hledal(a) jsem tuku.
J jsem nehledal(a) tuku.
Nehledal(a) jsem tuku
I am looking for a pencil.

-I am not looking for a pencil.
-I was looking for a pencil.
-I was not looking for a pencil.
--
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e
2f
2g
2h
My bydlme v Praze.
Bydlme v Praze.
My nebydlme v Praze.
Nebydlme v Praze.
My jsme bydleli v Praze.
Bydleli jsme v Praze.
My jsme nebydleli v Praze.
Nebydleli jsme v Praze.
We live in Prague.
-We dont live in Prague.
-We lived in Prague.
-We didnt live in Prague.
--
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
3g
3h
Oni rozumj.
Rozumj.
Oni nerozumj.
Nerozumj.
Oni rozumli.
Rozumli.
Oni nerozumli.
Nerozumli.
They understand
-The dont understand.
-They understood.
-They did not understand.
--
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43
The INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS (in the function of Subject):

KDO ? - masculine
CO ? - neuter
WHO ?
WHAT ?
Kdo byl doma?
Co bylo nahoe?
Who was at home?
What was above?
Kdo nerozuml ?
Who didnt understand? Co bylo na stole? What was on the table?
Who was that?
KDO TO BYL ?
To byl n soused. It was our neighbour.
To byla Jana.
It was Jane.
CO TO BYLO ?
To bylo auto.
To byl telefon.
What was that?

It was a car.
It was the phone.
------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL REMARK ON VERB TENSES:

There are three tenses in Czech, roughly corresponding to the general concepts of the
present, the past and the future.
(present tense) see chapter 13
PTOMN AS
(past tense)
see chapter 14
MINUL AS
(future tense)
see chapter 15
BUDOUC AS
Remark: The equivalent to the English present perfect is
- either ptomn as, if the state or action is going on at point now, e.g.
Jsem v Praze msc.
I have been in Prague for a month.
(i.e. I am still in Prague)
- or minul as
if the state or action is no longer going on, e.g.
Vidl jsem ten film
I have seen the film.
(but I am not watching it now)
The situation, however, is complicated by the existence of the category of aspect and
its close relationship with the category of tense. (See chapter 16.)
----------------------------------------------------------------
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44
VERBS: FUTURE TENSE

Slovesa: budouc as
15
Future tense of the verb BT:

Affirmative forms:
j
ty
on/ona/ono
my
vy
oni/ony/ona
BUDU
BUDE
BUDE
BUDEME
BUDETE
BUDOU
Ill be
Negative forms:
j
ty
on/ona/ono
my
vy
oni
NEBUDU
NEBUDE
NEBUDE
NEBUDEME
NEBUDETE
NEBUDOU
I wont be
Examples:
Ztra budu v Brn.
Bude dnes veer doma?
Bude hezk poas..
V ervenci nebudeme v Evrop.
Kde budete v sobotu?
V televizi budou zprvy.
youll be
he/she/it will be
well be
youll be
theyll be
you wont be
he/she/it wont be
we wonl be
you wont be
they wont be
Ill be in Brno tomorrow.
Will you be at home tonight?
The weather will be nice.
We wont be in Europe in July.
Where will you be on Saturday?
There will be news on TV.
The forms BUDU, BUDE, BUDE, BUDEME, BUDETE, BUDOU

serve as
a: Future tense of the verb bt see the examples above.
b: Auxiliary verb for future tense of other verbs; in this case, it is
followed by the infinitive of the respective verbs.
See below:
FUTURE TENSE of imperfective verbs:
(j)
(ty)
(on/ona/ono)
my
vy
oni
www.factumcz.cz
BUDU
BUDE
BUDE
BUDEME
BUDETE
BUDOU
}
45
INFINITIVE
Examples:
(j)
budu ekat
Ill wait,
Ill be waiting
(ty)
bude ekat
youll wait,
youll be waiting
(on, ona, ono) bude ekat
he, she, itll wait,
he, she, itll be waiting
(my)
budeme ekat
well wait,
well be waiting
(vy)
budete ekat
youll wait,
youll be waiting
(oni, ony, ona) budou ekat
theyll wait,
theyll be waiting
budu mluvit
Ill speak,
Ill be speaking
bude mluvit
etc.
budu st
Ill read,
Ill be reading
bude st
etc.
bude mluvit
bude st
budeme mluvit
budeme st
budete mluvit
budete st
budou mluvit
budou st
NEGATIVE:
(j)
(ty)
(on/ona/ono)
my
vy
oni
NEBUDU
NEBUDE
NEBUDE
NEBUDEME
NEBUDETE
NEBUDOU
INFINITIVE
Examples in sentences:
Budu ekat na nstupiti.
Co bude dlat ztra?
Zuzana nebude studovat v Praze.
Ona bude studovat v Brn.
Budeme bydlet v hotelu.
Budete mt ztra volno?
Oni budou mluvit esky.
My nebudeme mluvit esky.
Ill be waiting at the platform.

What will you be doing tomorrow?
Zuzana is not going to study in Prague.
She is going to study in Brno.
Well be staying at a hotel.
Will you be free tomorrow?
Theyll speak Czech.
We are not going to speak Czech.
Remark: The English equivalents may be
going to, will, shall
This is the way how to form Future Tense of most verbs

but: only those with the Imperfective Aspect.
See the explanation in chapter 16.
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46
VERB ASPECT
Slovesn vid
16
In Czech, as well as in other Slavonic languages, there is a category called aspect (in Czech
vid). The term aspect is sometimes used even in linguistic description of verbs in other
languages, either for certain grammatical oppositions, (e.g. the English relation of simple vs.
continuous, or perfect vs. non-perfect), or lexico-semantic features of certain verbs, e.g.
inchoative verbs (start, become, grow, get, turn), durative verbs, conclusive verbs, etc.
Although certain contact points can be found, it should be stressed that there is no one-to-one
correspondence between Czech and English. The Czech aspect belongs simultaneously to
vocabulary and to grammar. (It is a lexico-grammatical category.)
THE FORMS:
Mostly, there are two Czech verbs corresponding to one English verb.
One of them is called NEDOKONAV SLOVESO (= imperfective verb),
the other one
DOKONAV SLOVESO (= perfective verb).
The two verbs constitute an aspect pair (in Czech vidov dvojice), e.g.:
pst
napsat
(imperfective)
(perfective)
} the English for both of them is to write
The lexico-grammatical character is reflected even in the terminology. The labelling

imperfective vs. perfective is used both as
nedokonav vid (imperfective aspect) = nedokonav sloveso (imperfective verb) and
dokonav vid (perfective aspect) = dokonav sloveso (perfective verb).
There can hardly be formulated any general rules for the formal relation between the two
members of an aspect pair. A foreigner has to memorize two items with identical lexical
meaning corresponding to one verb in a non-Slavonic language. Unfortunately, dictionaries
mostly mention only one of the verbs sometimes the imperfective, sometimes the perfective.
Technical remark:
In the following examples, the verbs are placed on two lines, with the imperfective
verb (= nedokonav sloveso) above, the perfective verb (= dokonav sloveso)
below.
The infinitive endings -at; -t, -et, -it; -ovat are underlined.
Such verbs are conjugated in the regular way. ( See chapter 13.)
For verbs with different infinitives, we indicate even
1st person singular present tense and we underline its ending (the other
persons follow the regular conjugation paradigm), and then past participle.
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47
Examples of verbs with complete aspect pairs:

Sometimes, the form of the perfective verb (dokonav sloveso) differs from its imperfective
(nedokonav) counterpart by using a prefix, e.g.:
pst, pu, psal
write
napsat, napu, napsal
st, tu, etl

pest, petu, peetl
} read
dlat
udlat
} do; make
opakovat
zopakovat
} repeat
konit
skonit
} end, finish
The prefix does not change the lexical meaning of the verb unlike the prefixes
mentioned in chapters 68 and 69.
Frequently, the forms of the two verbs differ more substantially, e.g.:
kupovat
buy
koupit
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prodvat
prodat
} sell
zanat
zat, zanu, zaal
} begin, start
dostvat
dostat, dostanu, dostal
} get, receive
pekldat
peloit
} translate
otvrat
otevt, otevu, otevel
} open
zavrat
zavt, zavu, zavel
} close, shut
ekat
pokat
} wait
kat
ct (= ci), eknu, ekl
} say, tell
48
There is a limited number of aspect pairs with suppletive forms, i.e. each of the two verbs has
a different root, e.g.:
brt, beru, bral
vzt, vezmu, vzal
} take
Some verbs have no perfective form at all.
They are called imperfectiva tantum.

In the following examples, a zero sign is used on the lower line., e.g.:
mt, mm, ml
0
znt, znm, znal
0
bydlet
0
hledat
0
myslet
0
doufat
0
sedt
0
potebovat
0
pracovat
0
studovat
0
pokraovat
0
cestovat
0
have
know
live (= reside)
look for
think
hope
sit
need
work
study
continue
travel
There are even more problems concerning the formal relations between the two
aspects, but they are not mentioned in this simplified introductory survey.
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49
MUTUAL RELATIONS OF ASPECT AND TENSE

are illustrated in the following survey, with the verb pstnapsat (write) as example:
IMPERFECTIVE
(nedokonav)
PERFECTIVE
(dokonav)
INFINITIVE
PAST T.
minul as
PRESENT T.
ptomn as
FUTURE T.
budouc as
pst
psal jsem
pu
budu pst
napsat
napsal jsem
napu
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHART:

It is only the imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso) that has all the three tenses.
For topical present (i.e. states and events that refer to the point now)
the only possible form is the imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso).
The perfective verb (dokonav sloveso) has no present tense. Its present form
refers to the future.
Dont confuse the terminology:
perfective aspect or perfective verb is different from the English perfect
tenses.
Never use the auxiliary budu in connection with a perfective verb !!!
The chart shows that the aspect distinction
can only exist in past tense and in future tense.
SEMANTIC RELATIONS OF THE ASPECT DISTINCTION
The explanations are simplified, and they can only suggest the basic principles.
In practice, the choice of the appropriate aspect may sometimes depend on various
circumstances (including the lexical meaning of the particular verb, context, situation).
Semantic differences between the forms psal jsem and napsal jsem (as well as the future
forms budu pst and napu) are not easy to explain in an explicit and exhaustive way.
Sometimes, it is the lexical semantics of a particular verb that influences the mutual relations
between the two members of an aspect pair.
Even the semantic concept of telic vs. atelic may be included.
This is a topic for extensive linguistic discussions, aspectology being one of the most
voluminous parts of the linguistic studies of the Czech language. The basic principles are
equal to other Slavonic languages, with various differences in particular verbs and contexts.
The basic characteristics that distinguish one aspect from the other, can be -in a simplified
way- described like this:
The two verbs have (in most instances) identical lexical meaning.
The imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso) views the action or a state as progressing.
The perfective verb (dokonav sloveso) views the action or a state as global, complex,
without duration.
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50
Compare the following examples in past tense:

imperfective
(nedokonav):
Co jsi dlal vera?
What did you do yesterday?

What were you doing yesterday?
(i.e.: How did you spend your time?)
perfective
(dokonav):
Co ji udlal vera?
What did you do yesterday?

(i.e.: What did you accomplish?)
imperfective
(nedokonav):
Vera jsem psal jeden lnek.
perfective
(dokonav):
Vera jsem napsal jeden

lnek.
I wrote a paper yesterday.

I was writing a paper yesterday.
i.e.: (only the activities are mentioned,
not the result)
I wrote a paper yesterday.
(i.e.: the paper is finished)
Analogically, in the future:

imperfective
(nedokonav):
Ztra budu pst ten lnek.
I will write the paper tomorrow.

I will be writing the paper tomorrow.
(i.e.: information about my intended
actvities, about the way I am going to
spend the time)
perfective
(dokonav):
Ztra napu ten lnek.
I will write the paper tomorrow.

(i.e.: I intend to write the whole paper.)
In view of the above mentioned examples, it follows that a perfective verb (dokonav sloveso)
does not contain the connotation of any duration. It cannot refer to activities that form a
background for other simultaneous activities.
The question how long? can only be answered by an imperfective verb (nedokonav
sloveso), e.g.:
Jak dlouho jsi psal ten lnek?
How long were you writing the paper?

(How much time did it take you to write the paper?)
Psal jsem ten lnek tyi dny.
I was writing the paper for four days.

(It took me four days to write the paper.)
The explanations are intentionally simplified, leaving aside

marginal constructions like Napsal jsem ten lnek za tyi dny = I
have written the (whole) paper in the course of four days.
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51
The aspect contrast is important in temporal clauses, e.g.:

imperfective
imperfective
Kdy jsem psal ten lnek,

When (while) I was writing the paper,
poslouchal jsem rdio.
I was listening to the radio.
i.e.: two simultaneous actions
imperfective
perfective
Kdy jsem psal ten lnek,

When (while) I was writing the paper,
nkdo otevel okno.
somebody opened the window.
i.e.: writing is a background for the action of opening
perfective
imperfective
Kdy jsem napsal ten lnek,

When I had written the paper,
pekldal jsem ho do anglitiny. I was translating it into English.
i.e.: the first action finished, I was doing sth. else
perfective
perfective
Kdy jsem napsal ten lnek,

When I had written the paper,
peloil jsem ho do anglitiny.
I translated it into English.
i.e.: having accomplished one action, I accomplished even the other one;
The same examples could analogically be transeferred into the future with one important
difference concerning the conjunction: Instead of kdy, the future uses the conjunction a,
e.g.:
A budu pst ten lnek,
When (while) I write the paper,
budu poslouchat rdio.
I will be listening to the radio.
A napu ten lnek,
pelom ho do anglitiny.
When (after) I have written the paper,

I will translate it into English.
Remark:
Czech equivalents of
the English WHEN :
KDY ?
KDY
A
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52
interrogative adverb
temporal conjunction for present and past
temporal conjunction for future
The aspect difference between the present forms can be seen in the following sentences,
where the imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso) in sentences
(a) has a present reference, i.e. it indicates topical activities or also habitual activities,
whereas the present form of the perfective verb (dokonav sloveso) in sentences
(b) has a future reference.
Future activities can as well be expressed by means of the construction budu + the infinitive
of the imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso) sentences (c).
There is only a slight semantic difference between sentences (b) and (c).
Both of them refer to the future,
the (b) construction expressing the intended activities,
the (c) construction with a stronger or weaker stress on the duration.
1a
imperf.
Pu odpov.
1b
1c
perf.
imperf.
Napu odpov.
Budu pst odpov.
2a
imperf.
Otvrm okno.
2b
2c
perf.
imperf.
Otevu okno.
Budu otvrat okno.
3a
imperf.
ekme v hotelu.
3b
3c
perf.
imperf.
Pokme v hotelu.
Budeme ekat v hotelu.
4a
imperf.
Zanme pracovat.
4b
4c
perf.
imperf.
Zaneme pracovat.
Budeme zanat pracovat.
REMEMBER:
NEVER USE THE AUXULIARY BUDU
www.factumcz.cz
I am writing the answer.

I write the answer.
I will write the answer.
- -
present
I am opening the window.

I open the window.
I will open the window.
- -
present
We are waiting in the hotel.

We wait in the hotel.
We will be waiting in the hotel.
- -
present
We are starting to work.

We start to work.
Well start to work.
- -
present
future
future
future
future
future
future
future
future
WITH THE PERFECTIVE VERB (DOKONAV SLOVESO)
53
VERBS OF MOTION
Slovesa pohybu
17
The verbs JT and JET indicate movement, both of them corresponding to the English GO (or
even COME).
Both of them belong to imperfectiva tantum, i.e. each of them is only imperfective, without
having a perfective counterpart. Still, they do not use the auxiliary budu for the future
tense, but they have their own synthetic forms. Moreover, the verb jt has irregular Past
Participle: el, la, lo, li
It may be worth while mentioning all the forms of these verbs:
JT = go (on foot), walk
ptomn as
minul as
budouc as
jdu
jde
jde
el / la jsem
el / la jsi
el / la / lo
pjdu
pjde
pjde
jdeme
jdete
jdou
li jsme
li jste
li / ly / la
pjdeme
pjdete
pjdou
JET = go (concerning a means of travel)

ptomn as
minul as
budouc as
jedu
jede
jede
jel(a) jsem
jel(a) jsi
jel / jela / jelo
pojedu
pojede
pojede
jedeme
jedete
jedou
jeli jsme
jeli jste
jeli / jely / jela
pojdeme
pojedete
pojedou
IMPORTANT: Never use auxiliaries in Future Tense of the two verbs !!!
The only possible future forms are PJDU and POJEDU
Remark on the pronunciation:
Non-native speakers may have problems with pronouncing the non-vocalic initial
sound [ j ] in the present forms of the verb jt, and consequently they have difficulties
in distinguishing between the forms jdu (one syllable) and jedu (two syllables).
Advice: You can leave out the initial [ j ] sound, and pronounce only
[du, de, de, deme, dete, dou] as even native Czech speakers often do.
This concerns the verb jt (not jet) !
In spelling, however, the letter j must be used.
In the negative forms nejdu , the consonant j must be used both in spelling
and in pronunciation.
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54
Examples:
Kam jde?
Jdu dom.
Jdeme do msta.
Martin el do banky.
Eva la do kina.
Ztra pjdeme do divadla.
Tenhle vlak jede do Brna.
Martina jela do Berlna.
Pjdeme nebo pojedeme autobusem?
Pojedete autem nebo vlakem?
Where are you going (to)?

I am going home.
We are going to town.
Martin has gone to the bank.
Eve has gone to the cinema.
Well be going to the theatre tomorrow.
This train goes to Brno.
Martina has left for Berlin.
Shall we walk or shall we take a bus?
Will you be travelling by car or by train?
Remark: the prepositional constructions

do msta, do banky, do kina, do Brna, do Berlna
contain the genitive case. (Systematic explanations see in chapter 28.)
The forms autobusem, autem, vlakem are the instrumental case. (See chapter 31.)
The difference between the verbs jt and jet has been explained as either walking or using
means of travel.
There are two more verbs that can be translated by the English GO (or COME), viz.
CHODIT and JEZDIT.
The mutual relation of the two verbs is the same as that of the mentioned verbs jt and jet, but
there is another viewpoint involved here. In a rather simplified way, the difference can be
explained as that between particular and usual.
Mutual relations of the four verbs can best be illustrated in the following chart:
particular
usual
walking
d
JT
CHODIT
using means of travel

p
JET
JEZDIT
The verbs chodit and jezdit have regular grammatical forms.

All the four verbs, i.e. jt, jet, chodit, jezdit, are imperfective (= nedokonav).
None of them has a perfective counterpart, i.e they are imperfectiva tantum.
Examples:
Obyejn chodme pky, ale dnes jedeme autobusem.
We usually walk, but we are going by bus today.
Kad den jezdm vlakem, ale dnes pojedu autem.
I go by train every day, but Ill be driving a car today.
asto chodme do kina, ale ztra pjdeme do divadla.
We often go to the cinema, but well go to the theatre tomorrow.
Ona obyejn chod pomalu, ale kdy jsem ji vidl, la rychle.
She usually walks slowly, but when I saw her, she was going quickly.
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55
The verbs JT JET CHODIT JEZDIT are indifferent as to the direction of movement,
which means: the English equivalent is not only GO, but it may be COME as well.
If it is desirable to express explicitly the distinction between approaching and leaving,
verbal prefixes pi- or od- respectively are used.
This results in the following four verbs, all of them with complete aspect pairs, i.e.
imperfective - perfective.
pichzet
pijt, pijdu, piel
} come /arrive
odchzet
odejt, odejdu, odeel
} go /leave
pijdt
pijet, pijedu, pijel
} come /arrive
odjdt
odjet, odjedu, odjel
} go /leave
(walking)
(walking)
(car, train )
(car, train )
Compare the following charts:

present tense
d
PICHZ
d
ODCHZ
p
PIJD
p
ODJD
past tense
d
PIEL
p
PIJEL
d
PIJDE
ODEEL
p
PIJEDE
ODJEL
Examples:
Piel jsem do kancele v devt.
U piel David? Jet ne.
Adam pijde za chvilku.
Myslm, e u jde.
Myslm, e u pichz.
Je tady Lenka? Ne. U odela.
Lenka odela do banky.
Lenka la do banky.
www.factumcz.cz
future tense
d
ODEJDE
p
ODJEDE
I came to the office at nine.

Has David come (yet)? Not yet.
Adam will come in a moment.
I think he is coming.
-
Is Lenka here? No, she has left.
Lenka has left for the bank.
-
56
N autobus u jede.
N autobus u pijd.
U pijela Martina? Jet ne.
Pan editel pijede ztra.
Vlak pijd na pt nstupit.
Petr odjel do Brna.
Petr jel do Brna.
Nae tramvaj prv odjela.
Our bus is coming.

-
Has Martina arrived? Not yet.
The
director
will
arrive
tomorrow.
The train is arriving at platform
five.
Peter has left for Brno.
-
Our tram has just left.
Remark on the expressions U and JET:

U (already) in affirmative sentences underlines the sudden topicality of an action, e.g.
U rozumm.
Now I understand.
It is, however, a frequent substitute for the English present perfect tense, e.g.
My jsme ten film u vidli.
U jsem to napsal.
We have seen the film.

I have written it.
U in interrogative sentences mostly corresponds to the English yet:

U piel Martin?
Has Martin arrived yet?
Such questions are answered in affirmative u
Ano, u piel.
Yes, he has arrived.
in negative jet ne
Ne, jet nepiel.
?
U ?
No, he hasnt arrived yet.

+
ANO, U
U jste vidl ten film?
NE, JET NE
Ano, u jsem ho vidl. (=Ano.) Ne, jet jsem ho nevidl.

(= Ne, jet ne.)
Have you seen the film? Yes, I have (already) seen it.
No, I havent (yet) seen it.
(Yes,I have.)
(No, not yet.)
U jste skonili?
Ano, u jsme skonili. (=Ano.) Ne, jet jsme neskonili.
(= Ne, jet ne.)
Have you finished?
Yes, we have finished.
No, we have not (yet)
finished.
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57
18
IRREGULAR AND MODAL VERBS

Nepravideln a modln slovesa
Introductory remark: This chapter is not homogeneous from the purely
linguistic viewpoint. In a simplified way, semantic, morphological and
syntactic criteria are involved in presenting the verbs.
The following three verbs, i.e. CHTT, VDT, MOCT are irregular in the sense of not
following exactly one of the three Present Tense conjugation paradigms. (See chapter 13.)
chtt
j
chci
ty
chce
on, ona, ono chce
(to want)
my chceme
vy
chcete
oni chtj
past participle: chtl , chtla, chtlo, chtli, chtly, chtla

vdt
j
vm
ty
v
on,ona,ono v
(to know)
my vme
vy
vte
oni vd
past participle: vdl , vdla, vdlo,vdli, vdly, vdla

moct = moci
j
mu = mohu
ty
me
on,ona,ono me
(can, to be able)
my meme
vy
mete
oni mou = mohou
past participle: mohl , mohla, mohlo, mohli, mohly, mohla

The irregular forms moci, mohu, mohou are used in higher style.
All the three verbs are imperfective (nedokonav), without a perfective counterpart. (They
belong to imperfectiva tantum.) They form regular future tense, i.e. budu chtt, budu
vdt, budu moct / budu moct.
The verb CHTT is mostly followed by an infinitive, e.g.:

Jdu dom.
I am going home.
Chci jt dom.
I want to go home.
Pokraujeme.
We continue.
Chceme pokraovat.
We want to continue.
Slyte to?
Do you hear it? (= Can you hear it?)
Chcete slyet nai odpov?
Do you want to hear our answer?
Jsem sm. (male) Jsem sama. (female)
I am alone.
Chci bt sm. (male) Chci bt sama. (fem.)
I want to be alone.
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58
The verb chtt can also be followed by a nominal syntactic object in the accusative case.
Examples:
Chce jet kvu?
Do you want some more coffee?
J tu knihu nechci.
I don want the book.
Chceme jasnou odpov.
We want (to hear) a clear answer.
There are two counterparts to the English verb to know, viz. ZNT and VDT.
The present tense forms of the verb znt are: znm, zn, zn, znme, znte, znaj.
The past participle: znal (znala, znalo, znali, znaly, znala).
The verb is imperfective (nedokonav), without a perfective counterpart. (It belongs to
imperfectiva tantum.)
The verb znt requires a syntactic object in the accusative case.
The verb vdt is followed by a clause introduced by a conjunction or an adverb, e.g.
vm, e (I know that ); vm, kdo (I know who ); vm, pro (I know why ), etc.
Examples:
Znte Prahu?
J neznm vai adresu.
Vme, e to nen lehk.
V, kdo to ekl?
Oni nevd, kde to je.
Nevm, pro to opakuje.
Do you know Prague?

I dont know your address.
We know that it is not easy.
Do you know who said it?
They do not know where it is.
I do not know why you are repeating it.
The verb UMT (can, know how to do sth.) has regular forms, i.e.
umt; umm, um, um, umme, umte, umj/um; past part.: uml (umla, umlo, umli,
umly, umla). The verb is imperfective (nedokonav), without a perfective counterpart. (It
belongs to imperfectiva tantum.)
There are two counterparts to the English verb can, viz. MOCT (see above) and UMT.
UMT (can, know how to)
(regular forms, i.e.:)
present tense:
umm, um, um, umme, umte, umj (= um)
past participle:
uml
future tense:
budu umt
The difference between the verbs MOCT and UMT :

I can = I am able to
MU (+ infinitive)
Mu to udlat hned.
Nemu mluvit.
I can do it at once.
= I cant speak (e.g. I have a sore throat.)
UMM (+ infinitive)
Umm plavat.
Neumm to ct esky.
I can = I know how to (I have acquired the skill....)

I can swim.
I cant say it in Czech.
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59
Other modal verbs:

SMT (may, be allowed to)
present tense:
smm, sm, sm, smme, smte, smj (= sm)
past participle:
sml
future tense:
budu smt
MUSET (must, have to)
present tense:
musm, mus, mus, musme, muste, musej (=mus)
past participle:
musel
future tense:
budu muset
Unlike in English, modal verbs do have the infinitive,

and they form the past tense and the future tense like any other verb.
Mind theCzech-English differences in the MODAL VERBS SCALE:

MUSM
I must
+ !!!
NEMUSM
I neednt
- (+)
SMM
I may
+ (-)
NESMM
I mustnt
- !!!
Remark:
The above mentioned scale concerns only the deontic modality.
No information about epistemic modality is included in this
simplified survey.
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60
REFLEXIVE VERBS
Zvratn slovesa
19
Introductory presentation (focused mostly on the word order).

For more detailed explanation of reflexive pronouns see chapter 50.
Reflexive verbs are characterized by using the pronoun SE for all the persons singular and
plural (corresponding to the English myself, yourself, himself, ourselves )
The pronoun SE shows that the agents action is upon oneself, i.e. the semantic agent and goal
(expressed syntactically by the subject and the direct object respectively) are identical.
Compare the difference between a transitive syntactic object (different from the syntactic
subject) and a reflexive syntactic object (identical with the syntactic subject).
transitive
reflexive
J vidm Petra.
I(can) see Peter.
J SE vidm.
I (can) see myself. (e.g. on a photo)
In addition to the properly reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun SE (or sometimes SI)
makes an inherent part of certain verbs, called reflexiva tantum. Such verbs lack any
corresponding non-reflexive form, and the pronoun SE (SI) cannot be said to have any
meaning of its own.
www.factumcz.cz
dvat se
podvat se
smt se, smju se

zasmt se, zasmju se
} laugh
uit se
nauit se
learn
vracet se
vrtit se
return, come back
dostvat se
dostat se, dostanu se, dostal se
} get somewhere
look at
jmenovat se
to be called
pt si, peju si, pl si
wish, (want)
61
The pronoun SE remains unchanged for all persons.

J
Ty
On / Ona
My
Vy
Oni
se
se
se
se
se
se
vidm.
vid.
vid.
vidme.
vidte.
vid.
=
=
=
=
=
=
Vidm
Vid
Vid
Vidme
Vidte
Vid
I see myself.
You see yourself.
He / She sees himself/herself.
We see ourselves.
You see yourselves.
They see themselves.
se.
se.
se.
se.
se.
se.
Word order:
The reflexive pronoun SE (as well as SI) is one of enclitics, i.e. unstressed
words being placed at the second position, i.e. immediately following the
introductory nominal or adverbial phrase (no matter how many words the
phrase consists of).
1.
j
ty
on, ona
my
vy
oni
2.
se
se
se
se
se
se
3., 4.
um esky
u esky
u esky
ume esky
ute esky
u esky
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.
Jeho sestra Jana
V ter a ve tvrtek
2.
se
se
3., 4.
u esky.
ume esky.
Jak dlouho
Mu
Pro
N esk soused
Prosm vs, jak
se
se
se
se
se
ute esky?
na to podvat?
smjete?
obyejn vrac.
dostanu na ndra?
Jak
Jmenuji
Co
se
se
si
jmenujete, prosm?
Martin Fier.
pejete?
www.factumcz.cz
62
1.
um
u
u
ume
ute
u
2.
se
se
se
se
se
se
3.
esky
esky
esky
esky
esky
His sister Jane learns Czech.

We learn Cz. on Tuesdays and
Thursdays..
How long have you been learning Cz?
May I have a look at it?
Why are you laughing?
Our Czech neighbouris returning.
Excuse me, how can I get to the
railway station?
Whats your name please?
My name is M.F.
What do you wish?
In the past tense, the reflexive pronoun is placed immediately after the auxiliary verb,
e,g.
1.
2.
A
B
J
Nesml
Vidli
V kolik hodin
Co
Vera veer
Na co
Nauil
V kolik hodin
jsem
jsem
jsme
jste
jste
jsme
jste
jsem
jste
se
se.
se
se
si
se
se
se
se
nesml.
minul tden.
vrtili?
pl?
dvali na televizi
dvali?
ten text nazpam.
vrtili?
I did not laugh.

-We saw each other last week.
What time did you return?
What did you wish?
We watched TV last night.
What were you looking at?
I have learnt the text by heart.
What time did you come back?
Past Tense - 2nd person singular:

The expected combination jsi se is usually compressed into the form SES.
(Following illustrations use the sentence I was learning Czech, you were learning Cz. )
J
Ty
On
Ona
My
Vy
Oni
jsem se
SES
se
se
jsme se
jste se
se
uil(a) esky.
uil(a) esky.
uil esky.
uila esky.
uili esky.
uili esky.
uili esky.
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Uil(a)
Uil(a)
Uil
Uila
Uili
Uili
Uili
jsem se
SES
se
se
jsme se
jste se
se
esky.
esky.
esky.
esky.
esky.
esky.
esky.
In the same way, the expected combination jsi si is compressed into SIS:
(Folllowing illustrations use the sentence I took a dictionary, you took a dictionary )
J
Ty
On
Ona
My
Vy
Oni
www.factumcz.cz
jsem si
SIS
si
si
jsme si
jste si
si
vzal(a) slovnk.
vzal(a) slovnk.
vzal slovnk.
vzala slovnk.
vzali slovnk.
vzali slovnk.
vzali slovnk.
Vzal(a)
Vzal(a)
Vzal
Vzala
Vzali
Vzali
Vzali
63
jsem si
SIS
si
si
jsme si
jste si
si
slovnk.
slovnk.
slovnk.
slovnk.
slovnk.
slovnk.
slovnk.
DECLENSIONS OF NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, PRONOUNS, NUMERALS
20
Introductory information about

THE DECLENSION OF NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, PRONOUNS
vodn informace o
skloovn substantiv, adjektiv, zjmen
The chapters 4 9 presented the nominal category of gender (= rod), distinguishing

masculine (maskulinum = musk rod), feminine (femininum = ensk rod) and neuter
(neutrum = stedn rod) in singular nominative.
The chapters 20 35 deal with the categories of case (= pd) and number (= slo).
The category of CASE (pd)
is the most salient manifestation of the inflectional character of Czech.
Nouns, adjectives, pronouns and numerals are inflected, i.e. their forms are changed in
accordance with their syntactic functions.
This nominal type of inflexion is called DECLENSION (deklinace = skloovn).
(Cf . we us, my neighbours garden, etc. in English,
or der des dem den in German, etc.)
There are seven cases in Czech. Apart from being numbered (especially for primary school
pupils), Latin names -in modified Czech version- are used:
anglicized terminology
prvn pd
druh pd
tet pd
tvrt pd
pt pd
est pd
sedm pd
(first case)
(second case)
(third case)
(fourth case)
(fifth case)
(sixth case)
(seventh case)
nominativ
genitiv
dativ
akuzativ
vokativ
lokl
instrumentl
NOMINATIVE
GENITIVE
DATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
VOCATIVE
LOCATIVE
INTRUMENTAL
We are using the names (i.e. not numbers), and we present particular cases not in the order of
the traditional numbering, but in a way that is more convenient for foreigners.
In a step-by-step approach, the forms of each case are shown in connection with the syntactic
functions.
So far, only the NOMINATIVE forms have been mentioned, the NOMINATIVE case being
the lexical entry in dictionaries and vocabularies. Its syntactic function is mostly that of a
subject.
Chapters 2124 are focused on the forms of nouns, adjectives and pronouns in
ACCUSATIVE SINGULAR, in comparison with the nominative case.
Chapters 2527 introduce the the PLURAL forms of nouns, adjectives and pronouns in
NOMINATIVE and ACCUSATIVE..
Chapters 28 32 deal with both the morphology and syntactic functions of the remaining
cases, i.e. genitive, dative, locative, instrumental, vocative.
An overall morphological overview of all the cases is presented in synoptic charts in chapters
33 35.
www.factumcz.cz
64
21
ACCUSATIVE SINGULAR - NOUNS

Akuzativ singulru (= tvrt pd jednotnho sla) - substantiva
The syntactic function of ACCUSATIVE is mostly that of a direct object.

It can be stated in advance that there are no special accusative forms for neuters and
for inanimate masculines (see the explanation a few paragraphs below).
FEMININE (femininum = ensk rod):
In nouns, adjectives, possessive pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns,
every nominative is changed

ending
-A
-E
-
in accusative
into
-U
-I
-OU
Examples:
NOMINATIVE
in the syntactic function of subject
or nominal part of the predicate
ACCUSATIVE
in the syntactic function of object
Ta nov mapa je na stole.

The new map is on the desk.
To je moje nov adresa.
This is my new address.
Nae ulice je tamhle nalevo.
Our street is there on the left.
Hledm tu novou mapu.

I am looking for the new map.
Zn moji novou adresu?
Do you know my new address?
Tamhle nalevo vidte nai ulici.
There on the left you (can) see our street.
Feminine nouns ending in a consonant

(e.g. vc = thing, matter, kancel = office, odpov = answer)
remain unchanged.
(Adjectives and pronouns, however, are declined in the way mentioned above.)
Examples:
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
To je dleit VC.
It is an important thing/matter.
Kde je ta druh KANCEL?
Where is the other office?
Jak je vae ODPOV?
What is your answer?
Chci vm ct dleitou VC.

I want to tell you an important thing.
Hledm tu druhou KANCEL.
I am looking for he othe office.r
Potebujeme znt vai ODOV.
We need to know your answer.
www.factumcz.cz
65
MASCULINE (maskulinum = musk rod):
In MASCULINES, it is necessary to distinguish between

animate (ivotn) and
inanimate (neivotn).
This clasification follows -in principle- the distinction between living beings (people,
animals) on the one hand, and things, phenomena on the other hand.
MASCULINE ANIMATE (maskulinum ivotn = musk rod ivotn):
Animate masculine NOUNS are declined in compliance with the subdivision into
soft (mkk) nouns with final consonants c j ,
as well as those ending in -tel,
hard (tvrd) nouns ending in other consonants (with a few exceptions).
In accusative, hard nouns take the ending
soft nouns take the ending
Examples:
a: HARD
NOMINATIVE ACCUSATIVE
pn
pan
soused
prezident
doktor
ech
obchodnk
manel
Martin
Petr
pna
pana
souseda
prezidenta
doktora
echa
obchodnka
manela
Martina
Petra
b: SOFT
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
-A
-E
gentleman, sir
Mr.
neighbour
president
doctor
Czech
businessman
husband
man
mu
mue
journalist
novin
novine
driver
idi
idie
foreigner
cizinec
cizince
actor
herec
herce
director, manager
editel
editele
teacher
uitel
uitele
Tom
Tome
Nouns ending in -ec (and some others)
lose the stem vowel e in front of the endings:
Nominative: cizinec, otec, herec
Accusative: cizince, otce, herce
www.factumcz.cz
66
Remark on hard and soft

consonants:
In Czech grammatical
tradition, consonants are
divided into
mkk (soft), i.e.
, , , , , , ,
tvrd (hard), i.e.
d, t, n, k, ch, h, r
obojetn (ambivalent), i.e.:
b, p, v, f, z, s, m, l
This classification is useful
for Czech pupils when
learning the orthography,
especially when making the
choice between the letters
i or y, in word roots.
In declensions, however, the
distinction is only made
between hard and soft. The
nouns ending in an
ambivalent consonant
belong mostly to the hard
paradigms.
If it happens that a noun
ending in an ambivalent
consonant follows the soft
declension pattern, the user
(even a native speaker) has
to be advised.
Animate masculines change the inflectional endings also in

ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS:
22
ADJECTIVES
hard
soft
NOMINATIVE
NOV
CIZ
ACCUSATIVE
NOVHO
CIZHO
Remark: The adjectives nov and ciz serve as models for all the other adjectives.
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
NOMINATIVE
MJ
TVJ
N
V
JEJ
ACCUSATIVE
MHO TVHO NAEHO VAEHO JEJHO
The pronouns jeho (both maskullinum and neutrum), and jejich remain unchanged in all
cases singular and plural. The pronoun jej is inflected in the same way as soft adjectives.
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS
TEN
TENTO
TENHLE
TAMTEN
TOHO
TOHOTO
TOHOHLE
TAMTOHO
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
Numeral ONE
JEDEN
JEDNOHO
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
INTERROGATIVE
PRONOUN
KDO ? (who?)
KOHO ? (whom?)
INDEFINITE
PRONOUN
NKDO (somebody)
NKOHO
The above mentioned surveys of adjective and pronouns can be

simplified in the following way. (See also chapter 9.)
Knowing that
the pronouns MJ TVJ, and N V are inflected alike,
the pronoun JEJ has the same endings as the adjective CIZ ,
the numeral JEDEN has the same endings as the demonstrative pronoun
its sufficient to learn the following chart:
TEN ,
NOMINATIVE
ten
(n)kdo
mj
n
nov
ciz
ACCUSATIVE
TOHO
(N)KOHO
MHO
NAEHO
NOVHO
CIZHO
This arrangement means a decrease in the number of grammatical forms that must be
remembered, and it can be applied to adjectives and pronouns in each of the
grammatical cases. This method may save you lots of time and effort.
www.factumcz.cz
67
Examples:
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
This is
Do you know ?
To je pan Hork.
Znte pana Horka?
To je mj manel.
Znte mho manela?
To je pan Mal.
Znte pana Malho?
To je jej bratr.
Znte jejho bratra?
To je pan editel Kol. Znte pana editele Kole?
To je n uitel.
Znte naeho uitele?
To je v nov soused. Znte vaeho novho souseda?
To je pan Kopeck.
Znte pana Kopeckho?
To je ten nov ministr. Znte toho novho ministra?
To je Marek Eben.
Znte Marka Ebena?
Kdo je to?
Koho hledte, prosm? Whom are you looking for?
Je tam nkdo?
Hledte nkoho?
Are you looking for somebody?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As mentioned above,
THE FORMS OF INANIMATE MASCULINES
AND NEUTERS REMAIN UNCHANGED.
Examples:
MASCULINE INANIMATE (maskulinum neivotn = musk rod neivotn)
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
Tady je ten nov most.

Here is the new bridge.
Kde je mj kl?
Where is my key?
Vidl jste ten nov most?

Have you seen the new bridge?
Mte mj kl?
Do you have my key?
NEUTER (neutrum = stedn rod):

Examples:
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
Tam je moje auto.
There is my car over there.
To je hlavn ndra.
This is the central station.
Tady je to nov slovo.
Here is the new word.
www.factumcz.cz
Vidte moje auto?

Can you see my car?
Hledm hlavn ndra.
I am looking for the central station.
J neznm to nov slovo.
I do not know the new word.
68
SUMMARY OF THE FORMS AND FUNCTIONS OF ACCUSATIVE

23
FORMS OF THE ACCCUSATIVE IN SINGULAR
NOUNS
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
ADJECTIVES
MASC.ANIM.
masc.inanim.
FEMININE
Nouns
all word
classes
NOMIN.
hard
soft
ACCUS.
-A
-E
unchanged
all word classes

-A
-U
-E
-I
-OU
neuter
all word
classes
unchanged
Pronouns,
Adjectives:
NOMIN.
ten
mj n
nov, ciz
ACCUS.
toho
mho naeho
novho cizho
See also the detailed survey in chapters 33 and 34.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF ACCUSATIVE:
Undoubtedly, the most important function is that of a syntactic object.

(See examples mentioned in the preceding chapters 21 and 22, as well as in this
chapter and the following chapters 24 and 27.)
It is also used after certain prepositions:
PRO mostly corresponding to the English for , e.g.
To je mail pro pana editele.

Michal to koupil pro svoji manelku.
Tohle je pro jednoho mho kamarda.
www.factumcz.cz
69
Its an e-mail for the manager.

Michael has bought it for his wife.
This is for a friend of mine.
SKRZ corresponding to the English through, often equivalent to the

non-prepositional instrumental case. (See chapter 31.)
skrz tunel (Accus.)
skrz les
(Accus.)
skrz stnu (Accus.)
= tunelem (Instr.)
= lesem (Instr.)
= stnou (Instr.)
PES mostly corresponding to the English over or across
pes ulici
pes eku
through a tunnel
through a forest
through a wall
across the street

across the river
MIMO (mostly equal to the genitival preposition krom.

(See chapter 28.)
The use of the preposition NA is explained in connection with the

locative case.
(See chapter 29.)
The use of prepositions NAD, POD, PED, ZA, MEZI is

explained in connection with the Instrumental case. (See chapter 31.)
Prepositional object after certain verbs, e.g.:

ekat
pokat
na + Accus.
na + Accus.
}wait for sb./ sth.
dvat se
podvat se
na + Accus.
na + Accus.
} (have a ) look at; view
starat se
postarat se
o + Accus.
o + Accus.
} take care of
zajmat se
o + Accus.
0
Examples:
ekal jsem na Helenu pl hodiny.
Na koho ekte?
Musm pokat na Petra.
Chci se dvat na televizi.
Me se na to podvat?
On se zajm jen o svoji prci.
Zajmala se o klasickou hudbu.
Kdo se bude starat o dti?
be interested in
www.factumcz.cz
I waited for Helen for half an hour.

Who are you waiting for?
I mut wait for Peter.
I want to watch TV.
Can you have a look at it?
He is only interested in his job.
She was interested in clasical music.
Who will take care of the children?
70
24
PERSONAL PRONOUNS ACCUSATIVE

Osobn zjmena Akuzativ
Personal pronouns are the only word class where the Czech formal differences between the
syntactic functions of subject and object can have direct counterparts in English, i.e.: j = I;
m = me; on = he; ho = him; ona = she; ji = her; my = we; ns = us; oni = they; je = them.
Nominative
ACCUSATIVE
j
m
ty
on
ona
ono
my
vy
ho (je) ns
t ho (jej)
ji
vs
(The bracketed forms are felt rather obsolete.)
oni
je
In the 3rd person singular, it is important to keep in mind that

Gender in Czech is grammatical (not natural as it is in English). I.e.:
the pronoun on ho refers both to uitel (= teacher) and dm (= house), etc.
the pronoun ona ji refers both to ena (= woman) and kniha (= book), etc.
the pronoun ono ho refers both to dt (= child) and okno (= window), etc.
Remark: In 3rd person singular, even the older forms jej may be used for
masculines, and je for neuters. These forms, however, are felt obsolete.
Examples:
Vid m?
Can you see me?
Ano, vidm t.
Yes, I can see you.
Znte pana Novka?
Do you know Mr. Novk?
- Ne, neznm ho.
- No, I dont know him.
Vidl jste ten film?
Have you seen the film?
- Ano, vidl jsem ho.
- Yes, I have seen it.
Hled Kateinu?
Are you looking for Catherine?
- Ne, nehledm ji.
- No, I am not looking for her.
etli jste tu knihu?
Have you read the book?
- Ne, neetli jsme ji.
- No, we havenr read it.
Slyte to dt?
Can you hear the child?
- Ano, slym ho.
- Yes, I can hear it.
Znte to msto?
Do you know the town?
- Ne, neznm ho.
- No, I dont know it..
Poslouchte ns?
Are you listening to us?
- Ano, poslouchme vs.
- Yes, we are listening to you.
Potebujete ty slovnky? (plural)
Do you need the dictionaries?
- Ne, nepotebujeme je.
- No, we dont need them
Some of the personal pronouns have different accusative forms after prepositions, i.e. in the
function of a prepositional direct object. (The prepositional forms are printed in capitals in the
following chart.)
j
ty
on
ona
ono
my vy oni
Nominative
ACCUSATIVE
without
preposition
ACCUSATIVE
after preposition
www.factumcz.cz
m
m
ho (jej)
ji
ho (je)
TEBE NJ=NHO NI NJ (n)
71
ns
vs
je
ns
vs N
Examples:
Accus. without preposition
J t nevidm.
Znm ho dobe.
Vid je?
Accus. after preposition
Pokm na tebe.
To je pro nj.
Tohle je pro n.
I cant see you.

I know him well.
Can you see them?
Ill wait for you.
This is for him.
This is for them.
WORD ORDER (Slovosled):

The accusative form of a personal pronoun -and the demonstrative pronoun TO- follows
immediately after the first nominal or adverbial phrase, i.e. it always constitutes the second
clause element, e.g.:
2
Tvj bratr
nevidl.
Your brother did not see me.
m
Oni
hledali.
They were looking for you.
t
J
I will wait for you.
na tebe pokm.
Adam a Petr
neznaj.
A. and P.dont know him.
ho
Vy
You will not be waiting for him?
na nj nepokte?
Vid
ji ?
Can you see her?
Pro
nepokte?
Why will you not wait for her?
na ni
My
nepotebujeme.
We dont need it.
to
Slyte
ns ?
Can you hear us?
J
slym.
I can hear you.
vs
Kdo
vidl?
Who has seen them?
je
My
Well wait for them.
na n pokme.
In past tense, the accusative personal pronouns follow immediately after the
auxiliary verb. E.g.:
2
Ty
hledal?
You were looking for me?
jsi m
J
nehledal.
I wasnt looking for you.
jsem t
Nehledal

jsem t.
J
I was waiting for you.
jsem na tebe ekal.
ekal

jsem na tebe.
J
nevidl.
I didnt see him.
jsem ho
Nevidl

jsem ho.
Kde
ekal?
Where were you waiting for him?
jsi na nj
Kdy
vidl?
When did you see her?
jsi ji
Pro
nepokal?
Why didnt you wait for her?
jsi na ni
Udlali
minul tden.
We did it last week.
jsme to
Minul tden jsme to
udlali.

My
hledali.
We were looking for you.
jsme vs
Hledali

jsme vs.
Vy
neslyeli?
Didnt you hear us?
jste ns
Kdy
vidli?
When did you see them?
jste je
Kde
ekali?
Where were you waiting for them?
jste na n
www.factumcz.cz
72
WORD ORDER IN THE PAST TENSE

1.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2.
J
Nesml
Vidli
V kolik hodin
Co
Vera veer
Ty
J
Vidl
Kde
Vy
J
Co
Chtli
Jak
J
Pt tden
My
Chceme
J
Vrtm
Vidte
J
Chtl
Pro
My
Vera
J
JSEM
JSI
JSME
JSTE
SE
SI
jsem
jsem
jsme
jste
jste
jsme
jsi
jsem
jsem
jsi
jste
jsem
jste
jsme
Pers.Pron. TAM
ACCUS.
Pron. TO
nesml.
se
se.
se
se
si
se
ji
to
je
na m
to
tam
tam
tam
se
se
se
se
se
se
se
jsem
jsem
jste
jsme
jsem
jsem
3.
C
to
to
to
na nj
na nj
ho
na to
na to
se
se
se
vs
je
to
se
tam
tam
tam ?
tam
tam
tam
tam
minul tden.
vrtili?
pl?
dvali na televizi.
neznal.
vidl.
vera.
ekal?
nevdli?
byl.
dlali?
jet vera.
jmenuje?
naum pt tden.
naum.
chceme podvat.
podvat.
vrtm.
pt rok.
chtl podvat.
podvat.
vrtili?
nevidli.
hledal.
nauil.
The conjunctions A and ALE in compound sentences are counted as zero, e.g.:
0
1
2.
3.
29
a
Zuzana
j
jsem
ale
My
vy
jsme
jste
30
www.factumcz.cz
psala
dval.
to
na ni
se
vs
tam
73
hledali,
nebyli.
Translation of the above mentioned sentences:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
J jsem se nesml.
Nesml jsem se.
Vidli jsme se minul tden.
V kolik hodin jste se vrtili?
Co jste si pli?
Vera veer jsme se dvali na televizi.
Ty jsi ji neznal.
J jsem to vidl.
Vidl jsem je vera.
Kde jsi na m ekal?
Vy jste to nevdli?
J jsem tam byl.
Co jste tam dlali?
Chtli jsme tam jet vera.
Jak se to jmenuje?
J se to naum pt tden.
Pt tden se to naum.
My se na nj chceme podvat.
Chceme se na nj podvat.
J se tam vrtm.
Vrtm se tam pt rok.
Vidte ho tam?
J jsem se na to chtl podvat.
Chtl jsem se na to podvat.
Pro jste se tam vrtili?
My jsme vs tam nevidli.
Vera jsem je tam hledal.
J jsem se to tam nauil.
Zuzana to psala
a j jsem se na ni dval.
30 My jsme vs hledali,
ale vy jste tam nebyli.
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74
I didnt laugh.
(the same as above)
We saw each other last week.
What time did you come back?
What did you wish?
We were watching television last night.
You didnt know her.
I saw it.
I saw them yesterday.
Where were you waiting for me?
You didnt know it?
I was there.
What were you doing there?
We wanted to go there yesterday.
What is it called?
Ill learn it next week.
( the same as above)
We want to (have a) look at him.
I will return there.
Ill return there next year.
Do you (Can you) see him there?
I wanted to (have a) look at it.
Why did you return there?
We didnt see you there.
Yesterday I was looking for them there.
I learnt it there.
Zuzana was writing it,
and I was watching her.
We were looking for you,
but you werent there.
25
CLASSIFICATION OF NOUNS
So as to be able to inflect nouns (= to form various cases) -which is necessary for expressing
their function in a sentence- we must know what paradigm (= declension group) a noun
belongs to.
The first criterion is the grammatical gender, i.e.: masculine, feminine, neuter.
For masculines, there is an important subdivision into
animate inanimate and hard soft.
Within the framework of each gender, there are several declension paradigms according to
the ending of the noun. Its convenient to choose a noun for each group, and to use it as a
pattern - in Czech vzor.
Only the basic paradigms are mentioned in lessons 22-33.
(Others will be added in chapter 34.)
MASCULINE ANIMATE
(MASKULINUM IVOTN)
hard consonant
soft consonant
PN
-A
MASCULINE INANIMATE
(MASKULINUM NEIVOTN)
hard consonant
soft consonant
MU
HRAD
FEMININE
-E
consonant
ENA
RE
PSE
-O
NEUTER
-E
MSTO
MOE
NDRA
Translation of the -traditionally used- pattern nouns:

sir, gentleman, master
woman
pn, m.
ena, f.
rose
mu, m. man
re, f.
song
hrad, m. castle
pse, f.
bone
stroj, m. machine
kost, f.
STROJ
consonant
KOST
town, city
msto, n.
sea
moe, n.
ndra, n. railway station
COMMENT:
A: MASCULINES (See also the chapter 21 Accusative.)
The distinction of animate (= ivotn ) and inanimate (= neivotn ) reflects, in
principle, the distinction between living beings (people, animals) on the one hand, and things,
phenomena on the other hand.
2: The distinction between tvrd (hard) and mkk (soft) can be in a rather
simplified way explained like this:
mkk (soft): nouns with final consonants c j ,
as well as those ending in -tel ;
tvrd (hard): nouns ending in other consonants (with a few exceptions) .
www.factumcz.cz
75
Remark on hard and soft consonants (already mentioned in connection with the
accusative of animate masculines (capter 21) - and here only repeated):
In Czech grammatical tradition, consonants are divided into
tvrd (hard), i.e.
d, t, n, k, ch, h, r
mkk (soft), i.e.
, , , , , , , c, j
obojetn (ambivalent), i.e.: b, p, v, f, z, s, m, l
This classification is useful for Czech pupils when learning the orthography, especially
when making the choice between the letters i or y, in word roots.
In declensions, however, the distinction is only made between hard and soft. The nouns
ending in an ambivalent consonant belong mostly to the hard paradigms.
If it happens that a noun ending in an ambivalent consonant follows the soft
declension pattern, the user (even a native speaker) has to be advised.
B: FEMININES
There are two consonant groups in feminines, irrespective of hard- soft distinction.
It has to be learnt by heart which of the two groups a noun belongs to.
C: IN GENERAL
Remember that the letter can only occur after the consonants
n d t
b p v f m
After any other consonant it is only the letter E that can be used.
(See chapter 1 The Sounds of Czech and chapter 2 Orthography and pronunciation.)
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76
PLURAL OF NOUNS
26
NOMINATIVE, ACCUSATIVE
Plurl substantiv (Mnon slo podstatnch jmen)
Nominativ (prvn pd), Akuzativ (tvrt pd)
MASCULINE ANIMATE
MASCULINE INANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
hard conson.
soft conson.
Nomin. Singular
pn
mu
hrad
stroj
Nomin. Plural
PNI
MUI
HRADY
STROJE
i.e. ending
-I
-I
-Y
-E
FEMININE
Nomin. Singular
ena
re
pse
kost
Nomin. Plural
ENY
RE
PSN
KOSTI
i.e. ending
-Y
(unchanged)
-I
NEUTER
Nomin. Singular
msto
moe
ndra
Nomin. Plural
MSTA
MOE
NDRA
i.e. ending
-A
(unchanged)
(unchanged)
The above mentioned charts present the NOMINATIVE plural forms.

The forms of ACCUSATIVE plural are equal to those of Nominative
in masculine inanimate, feminine and neuter.
Masculine animate nouns (i.e. the patterns pn and mu) have
special accusative forms.
For that reason we first introduce examples of
masculine inanimate, feminine, neuter,
and only then our surveys deal with
masculine animate.
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77
The following examples present the forms of nominative in singular and in plural.
Examples:
MASCULINE INANIMATE HARD
N sg.
N pl.
castle
papr
papry
hotel
dopis
dopisy
film
jazyk
jazyky
phone
slovnk
slovnky
text
vlak
vlaky
programme
autobus
autobusy
arrival
most
mosty
departure
rok
roky
N sg.
hrad
hotel
film
telefon
text
program
pjezd
odjezd
N pl.
hrady
hotely
filmy
telefony
texty
programy
pjezdy
odjezdy
den
tden
lstek
dny
tdny
lstky
day
week
ticket
Mind the movable -e- !

i.e.: the singular vowel -edisappears in plural.
dm
stl
domy
stoly
house
table
Mind the vowel change -- -o- !
N sg.
stroj
nstroj
pstroj
cl
stupe
ko
n
N pl.
stroje
nstroje
pstroje
cle
stupn
koe
noe
N sg.
ena
dvka
sestra
dcera
eka
studentka
uitelka
zprva
strana
N pl.
eny
dvky
sestry
dcery
eky
studentky
uitelky
zprvy
strany
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MASCULINE INANIMATE SOFT

N sg.
N pl.
machine
kl
kle
instrument, tool
pota
potae
apparatus, device
tal
tale
aim, goal
pokoj
pokoje
degree
msc
msc
basket
tisc
tisce
Mind the vowel change -- -o- !
knife
FEMININE, ending -A
N sg.
woman
kniha
girl
banka
sister
adresa
daughter
vta
Czech (female)
mapa
student (female)
taka
teacher (female)
tuka
message; report
otzka
page; side; polit.party
78
N pl.
knihy
banky
adresy
vty
mapy
taky
tuky
otzky
paper
letter
language
dictionary
train
bus
bridge
year
key
computer
plate
room
month
thousand
book
bank
address
sentence
map
bag
pencil
question
FEMININE, ending - (-E)

N sg.
rose
idle
street
sklenice
country; land
stanice
meeting
hranice
blackboard
informace
N sg.
re
ulice
zem
schze
tabule
N pl.
re
ulice
zem
schze
tabule
N sg.
kancel
gar
tramvaj
pse
rove
lhev
FEMININE, consonant - paradigm pse

N pl.
N sg.
N pl.
office
wardrobe
kancele
sk
skn
garage
weapon, arms
gare
zbra
zbran
tram
bed
tramvaje
postel
postele
Mind the movable -e- !
song
psn
i.e.: the singular vowel -elevel
rovn
disappears in plural.
bottle
lhve
N sg.
kost
mstnost
st
vc
spolenost
N sg.
msto
okno
auto
slovo
jmno
kolo
konto
FEMININE, consonant - paradigm kost

N pl.
N sg.
N pl.
bone
kosti
noc
noci
room
mstnosti
udlost
udlosti
part
sti
nemoc
nemoci
thing; matter
vci
odpov
odpovdi
spolenosti company; society
velikost
velikosti
N pl.
msta
okna
auta
slova
jmna
kola
konta
N sg.
moe
pole
hit
N pl.
moe
pole
hit
N sg.
ndra
nmst
een
N pl.
ndra
nmst
een
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N pl.
idle
sklenice
stanice
hranice
informace
NEUTER, ending -O
N sg.
town, city
slo
window
rdio
car
letadlo
word
pero
name
patro
wheel; bicycle
svtlo
account (bank)
jdlo
N pl.
sla
rdia
letadla
pera
patra
svtla
jdla
NEUTER, ending - (-E) - paradigm moe

N sg.
N pl.
sea
letit
letit
field
parkovit parkovit
playground
nstupit nstupit
NEUTER, ending -
N sg.
railway station
cvien
square(in town)
poschod
solution
zamstnn
79
N pl.
cvien
poschod
zamstnn
chair
glass
station
border
information
night
event
illness
answer
size
number
radio
airplane
pen
floor,storey
light
meal
airport
car park
platform
exercise
floor, storey
profession
MASKULINE ANIMATE nouns (maskulinum ivotn)

differ from all the other declension types by the existence of
separate endings for plural nominative and plural accusative.
Sg. Nomin.
Sg. Accus.
Pl. Nomin.
Pl. Accus.
hard
student
studentA
studentI
studentY
soft
mu
muE
muI
muE
Compare with the other declensional patterns:

Sg. Nomin.
Sg. Accus.
Pl. Nomin.
Pl. Accus.
masculine
hrad
hrad
hrady
hrady
inanimate
stroj
stroj
stroje
stroje
ena
enU
eny
eny
re
rI
re
re
pse
pse
psn
psn
kost
kost
kosti
kosti
msto
msto
msta
msta
moe
moe
moe
moe
ndra
ndra
ndra
ndra
feminine
neuter
Moreover, there are several deviations from the basic patterns even in
Plural NOMINATIVE.
They disappear in the accusative form, and the regular ending is used.
Here is a survey of the most important of them:
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80
Compulsory consonant alternations in Nom. pl.
-r -i
-k -ci
-ch -i
-h zi
doktor (doctor) doktoi

zpvk (singer) zpvci
ech (Czech) ei
vrah (murderer) vrazi
SINGULAR
NOMIN.
doktor
zpvk
ech
vrah
doctor
singer
Czech
murderer
PLURAL
ACCUS.
doktoi
zpvci
ei
vrazi
doktory
zpvky
echy
vrahy
PLURAL
NOMIN.
PLURAL
ACCUS.
uitel
editel
spisovatel
zamstnavatel
obyvatel
majitel
uitele
editele
spisovatele
zamstnavatele
obyvatele
majitele
The suffix -tel adds the ending -, e.g.:

SINGULAR
NOMIN.
uitel
editel
spisovatel
zamstnavatel
obyvatel
majitel
PLURAL
NOMIN.
teacher
director, manager
writer, author
employer
inhabitant
owner
Mind the nouns PTEL (friend) and LOVK (man, human being):
SINGULAR
NOMIN.
ptel
lovk
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PLURAL
NOMIN.
friend
man, hum.being
PLURAL
ACCUS.
ptel
ptele
lid
(people) lidi
81
Some (mostly monosyllabic) nouns use the ending -OV, e.g.:

SINGULAR
NOMIN.
syn
otec
f
krl
len
Rus
ek
Ital
Arab
vd
Fin
Nor
Dn
PLURAL
NOMIN.
synov
otcov
fov
krlov
lenov
Rusov
ekov
Italov
Arabov
vdov
Finov
Norov
Dnov
son
father
boss, head
king
member
Russian
Greek
Italian
Arab
Swede
Finn
Norwegian
Dane
PLURAL
ACCUS.
syny
otce
fy
krle
leny
Rusy
eky
Italy
Araby
vdy
Finy
Nory
Dny
In a limited number of nouns, the endings -ov and -i coexist side by side, and the
choice depends on the speakers decision.
(The form -ov, however, is either felt rather obsolete, e.g. muov,
or it is restricted to certain fixed expressions,
e.g. Dmy a pnov (Ladies and gentlemen),
Ven pnov (Dear Sirs in the beginning of an official letter).
Nouns with the suffix -an should use the ending -.

This requirement, however, is observed in formal style only.
In everyday spoken Czech it is replaced by the regular ending -i, e.g.:
SINGULAR
NOMIN.
oban
Rakuan
Amerian
PLURAL
ACCUS.
obany
Rakuany
Ameriany
The same applies to the noun soused (neighbour):

SINGULAR
NOMIN.
soused
citizen
Austrian
American
PLURAL
NOMIN.
oban
(obani)
Rakuan (Rakuani)
Amerian (Ameriani)
neighbour
PLURAL
NOMIN.
soused
(sousedi)
PLURAL
ACCUS.
sousedy
The ending - is the only possibility for

SINGULAR
NOMIN.
panl
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Spaniard
PLURAL
NOMIN.
panl
82
PLURAL
ACCUS.
panly
The following summarizing chart presents examples of masculine animate, both with
regular and irregular plural nominatives, arranged according to hard and soft,
repeating even their singular forms:
SINGULAR
NOMIN.
MASCULINE ANIMATE "HARD"

SINGULAR PLURAL
PLURAL
ACCUS.
NOMIN.
ACCUS.
translation
(Singular)
student, m.
kamard, m.
prezident, m.
soused, m.
f, m.
syn, m.
len, m.
ek, m.
Ital, m.
Arab, m.
vd, m.
pn, m.
oban, m.
studenta
kamarda
prezidenta
souseda
fa
syna
lena
eka
Itala
Araba
vda
pna
obana
bratr, m.
doktor, m.
profesor, m.
ministr, m.
kluk, m.
ednk, m.
dlnk, m.
vojk, m.
obchodnk,
m.
zpvk, m.
politik, m.
studenti
kamardi
prezidenti
sousedi (=soused)
fov
synov
lenov
ekov
Italov
Arabov
vdov
pni = pnov
obani (=oban)
-r -i
bratra
brati
doktora
doktoi
profesora
profesoi
ministra
ministi
-k -ci
kluka
kluci
ednka
ednci
dlnka
dlnci
vojka
vojci
obchodnka obchodnci
studenty
kamardy
prezidenty
sousedy
fy
syny
leny
eky
Italy
Araby
vdy
pny
obany
student
friend
president
neighbour
chief, boss
son
member
Greek
Italian
Arab
Swede
gentleman
citizen
bratry
doktory
profesory
ministry
brother
doctor
professor
minister
kluky
ednky
dlnky
vojky
obchodnky
boy
clerk,official
worker
soldier
businessman
zpvka
politika
zpvky
politiky
singer
politician
echy
Czech
vrahy
murderer
ech, m.
echa
vrah, m.
vraha
lovk, m.
zpvci
politici = politikov
-ch -i
ei
-h -zi
vrazi
lovka
man, human being
lid !!!
lidi !!!
(The form lidi is used even for pl.Nomin. in everyday spoken language.)
Its important to distinguish in pronunciation between:

Plural Nominative: studenti, kamardi, prezidenti, sousedi, pni [-ti, -di, -i ]
Plural Accusative: studenty, kamardy, prezidenty, sousedy, pny [-ty, -dy, -ny ].
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83
SINGULAR
NOMIN.
mu, m.
lka, m.
novin, m.
idi, m.
herec, m.
vdec, m.
poslanec, m.
velvyslanec, m.
zamstnanec, m.
Nmec, m.
otec, m.
suffix -tel :
uitel, m.
editel, m.
spisovatel, m.
skladatel, m.
obyvatel, m.
zamstnavatel, m.
ptel, m.
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MASCULINE ANIMATE "SOFT"

SINGULAR
PLURAL
PLURAL
ACCUS.
NOMIN.
ACCUS.
translation
(Sing.)
mue
lkae
novine
idie
herce
vdce
poslance
velvyslance
zamstnance
Nmce
otce
mui
lkai
novini
idii
herci
vdci
poslanci
velvyslanci
zamstnanci
Nmci
otcov !
man
physician
journalist
driver
actor
scientist
deputy, M.P.
ambassador
employee
German
father
uitele
editele
spisovatele
skladatele
obyvatele
zamstnavatele
ptele
uitel
uitele
editel
editele
spisovatel
spisovatele
skladatel
skladatele
obyvatel
obyvatele
zamstnavatel zamstnavatele
ptel !!!
ptele !
84
mue
lkae
novine
idie
herce
vdce
poslance
velvyslance
zamstnance
Nmce
otce
teacher
director
writer
composer
inhabitant
employer
friend
27
PLURAL OF ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS

Plurl adjektiv a zjmen (Mnon slo pdavnch jmen a zjmen)
Sg. Nomin.
Sg. Accus.
Pl. Nomin.
Pl. Accus.
HARD ADJECTIVES (tvrd adjektiva = tvrd pdavn jmna)

m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
nov
novHO
nov (*)
nov
nov
nov
nov
nov
nov
novOU
nov
nov
nov
nov
nov
nov
* CONSONANT ALTERNATIONS:
In nominative plural of animate masculines (in the above mentioned chart marked by an
asterisk), the following consonant alternations are compulsory in Standard Czech:
r
k c
ch
h z
sk t
ck t
The alternations concern Nominative plural masculine animate only.
sg.N pl.N sg. N
pl. N
pl. A
examples
dobr uitel
dob uitel
dobr uitele
good teachers
-r
-
velk kluk
velc kluci
velk kluky
tall boys
-k
-c
tich soused
ti soused
tich sousedy
silent neighbours
-ch -
drah ptel
draz ptel
drah ptele
dear friends
-h
-z
esk vdec
et vdci
esk vdce
Czech scientists
-sk
-t
anglick herec
anglit herci
anglick herce
English actors
-ck -t
Sg. Nomin.
Sg. Accus.
Pl. Nomin.
Pl. Accus.
SOFT ADJECTIVES (mkk adjektiva = mkk pdavn jmna

m. inanim.
f.
n.
m. anim.
ciz
cizHO
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS (posesivn / pivlastovac zjmena)

m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
Sg. Nomin.
mj
tvj
mj
tvj
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
Sg. Accus.
mho
tvho
mj
tvj
moji (= mou)
tvoji (= tvou)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
Pl. Nomin.
moji (= m)
tvoji (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
Pl. Accus.
moje (m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
moje (= m)
tvoje (= tv)
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85
Possessive pronouns cont.)

m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
Sg. Nomin.
n
v
n
v
nae
vae
nae
vae
Sg. Accus.
naeho
vaeho
n
v
nai
vai
nae
vae
Pl. Nomin.
nai
vai
nae
vae
nae
vae
nae
vae
Pl. Accus.
nae
vae
nae
vae
nae
vae
nae
vae
The pronouns jeho, jejich remain unchanged in all genders for plural and singular,
nominative and accusative.
The pronoun jej has the form jejho for masculine animate Sg. Accusative, i.e. the same
endings as soft adjectives.
Sg. Nomin.
Sg. Accus.
Pl. Nomin.
Pl. Accus.
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS (ukazovac zjmena)

m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
ten(to)
toho(to)
ti(to)
ty(to)
ten(to)
ten(to)
ty(to)
ty(to)
Examples:
sg.N
Tohle je dobr mapa.
sg.A
Potebujeme dobrou mapu.
pl.N
Tyhle mapy jsou dobr.
pl.A
J mm dobr mapy.
sg.N
To je ten nov ministr.
sg.A
Vidl jste toho novho ministra?
pl.N
To jsou ti nov ministi.
pl.A
Vidl jsem ty nov ministry.
sg.N
To je mj bratr.
sg.A
Znte mho bratra?
pl.N
To jsou moji brati.
pl.A
Znte moje bratry?
sg.N
Jak je vae otzka?
sg.A
Neslyel jsem vai otzku.
pl.N
To jsou vae otzky?
pl.A
J znm vae otzky.
www.factumcz.cz
ta(to)
tu(to)
ty(to)
ty(to)
n.
to(to)
to(to)
ta(to)
ta(to)
This is a good map.

We need a good map.
These maps are good.
I have good maps.
This is the new minister.
Have you seen the new minister?
These are the new ministers.
I have seen the new ministers.
This is my brother.
Do you know my brother?
These are my brothers.
Do you know my brothers?
What is your question?
I did not hear your questions.
Are these your questions?
I know your questions.
86
28
GENITIVE
Genitiv, druh pd
GENITIVE is the most frequent case for nouns functioning syntactically as attribute.
Unlike an adjectival attribute, genitive is placed after the determined noun. E.g.:
adjectival attribute
evropsk historie
European history
telefonn slo
phone number
noun attribute in GENITIVE

historie Evropy
history of Europe
slo telefonu
number of the phone
Basic functions of GENITIVE:

The following five functions are used in a similar way as in other languages where this
possessive or attributive form exists:
1: Posssessive genitive:
auto pana Novka
Mr Novks car
dm naich soused
our neighbourshouse
Comment: the car belongs to Mr Novk; the house belongs to our neighbours.
2: Subjective genitive:
pjezd eskho prezidenta
the Czech presidents arrival
Comment: The genitive is transformed from the construction
esk prezident pijel/pijede (the Czech president arrived /will arrive),
where the nominative esk prezident functions as the syntactic subject.
3: Objective genitive:
volba eskho prezidenta
election of the Czech president
Comment: The genitive is transformed either from the passive construction
esk prezident je/byl/bude volen (the Czech president is/was/will be elected),
or from an active construction such as parlament vol eskho prezidenta (the parliament
elects/elected/will elect Czech president), where the accusative eskho prezidenta
functions as the syntactic object.
4: Partitive genitive:
kus papru
piece of paper
hrnek (lek) kvy cup of coffee
sklenice piva
glass of beer
lhev vna
bottle of wine
litr benzinu
litre of petrol
kostka cukru
lump of sugar
kilometr dlnice kilometre of motorway
5: Various other types of attribute:

prezident esk republiky
the president of the Czech Republic
editel na banky
the director of our bank
jmno vaeho bratra
your brothers name / name of your brother
adresa pana Veselho
Mr Vesels address / the address of Mr V.
jmno toho msta
name of the town
mapa stedn Evropy
map of Central Europe
slo tramvaje
number of the tram
barva toho auta
colour of the car
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87
seznam student
list of students
zatek ptho tdne
the beginning of next week
konec ledna
the end of January
okna mho pokoje
windows of my room
Further, less obvious functions, as well as prepositional constructions, will be enumerated
on pages 92, after we have shown the genitive forms of nouns, adjectives and pronouns.
FORMS OF NOUNS:
MASCULINE ANIMATE
MASCULINE INANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
hard conson.
soft conson.
Sg. Nominative
pn
mu
hrad
stroj
Sg. GENITIVE
PNA
MUE
HRADU
STROJE
i.e. ending
-A
-E
-U
-E
Pl. GENITIVE
PN
MU
HRAD
STROJ
i.e. ending
FEMININE
Sg. Nominative
ena
re
pse
kost
Sg. GENITIVE
ENY
RE
PSN
KOSTI
i.e. ending
-Y
-E
-I
Pl. GENITIVE
EN
PSN
KOST
i.e. ending
NEUTER
Sg. Nominative
msto
moe
ndra
Sg. GENITIVE
MSTA
MOE
NDRA
i.e. ending
-A
-E
Pl. GENITIVE
MST
MO
NDRA
i.e. ending
NOTICE:
It may be useful to compare the genitive forms with those of
singular accusative and plural nominative.
See the following chart. (There are no new forms. It is only an
attempt to view the case relations in another perspective.)
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88
pse
kost
msto
moe
ndra
-e
re
-a
-e
-y
-e
-i
-a
-e
-y
-i
-a
stroj
-e
hrad
-a
ena
Singular
Accusative
Singular
GENITIVE
mu
Singular
Nominative
pn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MASC.
MASC.
FEMININE
NEUTER
ANIM.
INANIM.
-u
Plural
Nominative
Plural
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
GENITIVE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Some exceptions in singular genitive:
Singular
Singular
Nominative
GENITIVE
jazyk, m.
svt, m.
nrod, m.
veer, m
ostrov, m
domov, m.
den, m.
tden, m.
jazyka
svta
nroda
veera
ostrova
domova
dne
tdne
All the these nouns are

inanimate masculines
belonging to the declension
group hrad (which has the
regular ending -u).
language
world
nation
evening
island
home
day
week
Mind also some special forms of Plural Genitive:

Singular
Singular
Plural
Plural
Nominative
Genitive
Nominative Genitive
notes:
lovk, m.
dt, n.
ptel, m.
obyvatel, m.
---
lovka
dtte
ptele
obyvatele
---
lid (lidi)
dti, f.
ptel
obyvatel
penze
lid
dt
ptel
obyvatel
penz
people
children
friends
inhabitants
money
(a)
den, m.
rok, m.
dne
roku
dny
roky
dn = dn
rok = let
days
years
(b)
(b)
otzka, f.
chodba, f.
tuka,f.
dvka, f.
uitelka, f.
otzky
chodby
tuky
dvky
uitelky
otzky
chodby
tuky
dvky
uitelky
otzek
chodeb
tuek
dvek
uitelek
questions
corridors
pencils
girls
female teachers
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
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89
(a)
(a)
(a)
letadlo, n.
slo, n.
letadla
sla
letadla
sla
letadel
sel
(c)
(c)
airplanes
numbers
ulice, f.
ulice
ulice
(d)
streets
ulic
silnice, f.
silnice
silnice
(d)
roads
silnic
stanice, f.
stanice
stanice
(d)
stations
stanic
ptelkyn, f.
ptelkyn
ptelkyn
(d)
ptelky girl friend
koile, f.
koile
koile
(d)
shirt
koil
letit, n.
letit
letit
(d)
airport
leti
nstupit, n. nstupit
nstupit
(d)
platform
nstupi
Comment:
(a): The nouns lovk (man, human being), dt (child), ptel (friend), penze (money) have
special forms even in other cases. The complete declensions are presented in chapter 33.
(b): There is no difference in meaning or usage of the plural genitive forms dn = dn (days),
rok = let (years).
(c): Many nouns with zero ending in plural genitive (belonging to the groups ena and
msto) insert an epenthetic vowel -e- between the two final consonants.
(d): Most feminines in -ice and -ile (belonging to the declension group re), and neuters
ending in -it (declension group moe) have zero ending in plural genitive.
Singular
Nominative
The GENITIVE forms of DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS, POSSESSIVE

PRONOUNS and ADJECTIVES can be remembered in the following arrangement:
masculine
neuter
feminine
ten
jeden
mj
n
Singular
GENITIVE
nov
ciz
moje
(=m)
nae
maskuline + neuter
toho
jednoho
to
jedno
mho
naeho
novho
cizho
nov
ciz
ta
jedna
moje
(=m)
nae
feminine
nov
ciz
t
jedn
moj
( =m)
na
nov
ciz
Plural
GENITIVE
maskuline + neuter + feminine

tch
mch
naich
novch
cizch
Comment:
The endings of nov and ciz serve as a model for all the other adjectives hard and
soft respectively.
The pronoun tvj is inflected in the same way as mj,
and v in the same way as n.
The pronoun jej has the same endings as soft adjectives (the type ciz).
The pronouns jeho and jejich are not inflected at all.
The detailed survey of the adjective and pronoun forms can be found in chapter 33.
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90
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Osobn zjmena
The genitive forms are identical with those of the accusative (see chapter 24)
with the exception of the pronoun ona (sg.f.) and oni (pl.), i.e.:
Nominative
ona
oni
Accusative (without preposition)

Accusative (after preposition)
ji
ni
je
n
GENITIVE (without preposition)

GENITIVE (after preposition)
j
n
jich
nich
(the accus. forms

ji, ni - short vowel;
the genitive forms
j, n long vowel)
INTERROGATIVE AND INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Tzac a neurt zjmena
Nominative
who?
KDO ?
what?
NCO
somebody
NKDO
something
NCO
Accusative
GENITIVE
KOHO ?
KOHO ?
NCO
NEHO
NKOHO
NKOHO
NCO
NEHO
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91
FURTHER FUNCTIONS OF GENITIVE:
6: Genitive plural must be used in connection with the numerals pt (five) and more
(i.e. 6, 7 ), as well as the quantifiers kolik (how many), hodn = mnoho (many, a lot)),
moc (many, too many), mlo (few), nkolik (a few, several), dost (quite a lot).
In connection with the numerals dva, m., dv, f.+n., and if the number is not specified,
nominative plural is used. Compare the following examples:
sg. N
pl. N
jeden/jedna/jedno dva/dv,
ti, tyi;
unspecified number
pl. GENITIVE
pt, est
kolik, hodn, mnoho,
moc, mlo, dost
jeden mu
jeden tden
jedna hodina
jedno msto
jeden den
jeden lovk
jedna otzka
jedno auto
obyvatel
nov slovo
jedna koruna
pt mu
est tdn
sedm hodin
kolik mst
nkolik dn
mlo lid
hodn otzek
moc aut
kolik obyvatel
nkolik novch slov
dvacet korun
dva mui
dva tdny
dv hodiny
dv msta
ti dny
tyi lid
dv otzky
dv auta
obyvatel
nov slova
ti koruny
five men
six weeks
seven hours; 7 oclock
how many towns
several days
few people
many questions
too many cars
how many inhabitants
several new words
twenty crowns
IMPORTANT:
If some of the above mentioned expressions has the syntactic function of subject, the verb
must take the form of NEUTER SINGULAR (even though the logical meaning is plural).
E.g.
Tady JE nkolik eskch knih.
Here are a few Czech books.
Na stole BYLO nkolik eskch knih.
There were several Czech books on the table.
Hodn dt EKALO venku.
Many children were waiting outside.
How many are you?
Kolik vs JE?
We are few.
JE ns mlo.
How many were you?
Kolik vs BYLO?
We were five.
BYLO ns pt.
Asi deset lid MLUVILO esky.
About ten people were speaking Czech.
Uncountable nouns in connection with quantifiers kolik (how much), hodn = mnoho
(much), moc (much, too much), mlo (little), trochu (a little), dost (enough) must use the
form of singular genitive. E.g.:
sg. N
sg. G
as
little time, enough time
mlo asu, dost asu
prce
too much work
moc prce
kva
a little coffee
trochu kvy
voda
how much water
kolik vody
pivo
much beer
hodn piva
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92
7: When indicating the date, both the number of the day and the name of the month are
used in the genitive case:
name of month Koliktho je dnes? (GENIT.)
(Nomin.)
Whats the date today?
leden, m.
1st January
prvnho ledna
1.1.
nor, m.
22nd February
dvactho druhho nora
22.2.
bezen, m.
2nd March
2.3.
druhho bezna
duben, m.
10th April
10.4.
destho dubna
kvten, m.
22nd May
25.5.
dvactho ptho kvtna
erven, m.
9th June
9.6.
devtho ervna
ervenec, m.
4th July
tvrtho ervence
4.7.
srpen, m.
21st August
21.8.
dvactho prvnho srpna
z, n.
11th September
11.9.
jedenctho z
jen, m.
28th October
28.10.
dvactho osmho jna
listopad, m.
5th November
5.11.
ptho listopadu
prosinec, m.
31st December
tictho prvnho prosince
31.12.
NOTICE:
Names of months are written with small initial letters.
When using figures, a point is placed after both the day and the month.
Here are the names of months in nominative and genitive forms:
8: Object after a limited number of verbs
(Notice that all the mentioned verbs are reflexive, i.e. they are accompanied by the
pronouns SE or SI.)
ptt se, ptm se, ptal se
zeptat se, zeptm se, zeptal se
} ask (for information)
bt se, bojm se, bl se

0
be afraid, fear
tkat se
0
concern
vmat si
vimnout si, vimnu si, viml si
} notice
* see the remark

below
* Remark: The person who is asked about sth. is in GENITIVE, e..g.:

Zeptal jsem se jednoho pna, kde je ndra..= I asked a man where the railway station is.
Musm se zeptat Zuzany, jestli to vidla. = I must ask Susan whether she saw it.
When asking somebody about something (or somebody), the thing or person that is asked
about has the preposition na followed by accusative, e.g.:
Zeptal jsem se Tome (G) na Zuzanu (A). = I asked Tom about Susan.
Mu se vs (G) na nco (A) zeptat? = May I ask you a question?
(verbatim translation: May I ask you about something?)
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93
Other examples:
J se na to nkoho zeptm.
Pro se boj etiny?
To se ns netk.
J jsem si neviml toho druhho auta.
I will ask somebody about it.

Why are you afraid of the Czech language?
It doesnt concern us.
I didnt notice the other car.
9: The genitive case is required after certain prepositions, indicating the semantic
relations of space, time, manner, etc. (in the syntactic function of an adverbial or an attribute).
Here is a list of the most frequent genitive prepositions:
BEZ, BHEM, DO, Z, U, OD, KROM, VEDLE, KOLEM, BLZKO, PODLE, MSTO
GENERAL REMARKS ON PREPOSITIONS:
It is hardly possible to translate prepositions exactly from one language into another. Each
language has its own usage that can be -more or less successfully- explained, commented
and illustrated by examples. We try to show the most frequent situations in which a
preposition is used. Our explanations are far from being exhaustive.
The prepositions ending in a consonant (in genitive bez, z and od) sometimes add a final
vowel -e (both in spelling and pronunciation), i.e. beze, ze, ode. The phenomenon is
called vokalizace pedloek. There is no semantic difference between the two forms.
There are, however, no clear rules for the presence or absence of the final -e. It is
mostly a matter of feeling on the part of native speakers.
Monosyllabic (and vocalised) prepositions are stressed, and they are pronounced
together with the following word as one unit, e.g. do msta [domesta] (to the town),
u naeho domu [unaeho domu] (near our house), od zatku [odzatku] (from
the beginning), beze slov [bezeslof] (without words).
The rules of voicing assimilation are applied in the same way as within a single word, e.g.
bez prce [besprce] (without work), od Petra [otpetra] (from Peter).
If a preposition ending in a voiced consonant is followed by a word beginning in a vowel,
the consonant is changed into its voiceless counterpart, and the glottal stop is pronounced
between the two words, e.g. u okna [uokna] (near the window)
BEZ (= BEZE)
in most situations corresponds to the English without.
Dm si kvu bez cukru.

Bez vody se ned t.
Peloil jsem to bez slovnku.
Petr je bez prce.
Odela bez odpovdi.
To je melodie beze slov.
Jana pila sama, bez dt.
Nezstanu tady bez tebe.
www.factumcz.cz
Ill have coffee without sugar.

Its impossible to live without water.
Ive translated it without dictionary.
Peter is without job.
She left without answering.
Its a tune without words.
Jane came alone, without children.
I wont stay here without you.
94
BHEM
during, in the course of
(In pronunciation, the stress of the word after the preposition is retained.)
Bhem pednky nen dovoleno
pouvat telefon.
bhem vlky
bhem poslednch t tdn
Its not allowed to use a phone during the lecture.

during the war
during the past three weeks
DO
1. place:
indicating movement to , into (i.e. entering inside)
Jdu do banky.
Im going to the bank.
Ztra pojedu do Brna.
Ill travel to Brno tomorrow.
2. time:
indicating a final point in duration of time (Engl.: to, till)
Zstanu tady do soboty.
Ill stay here till Saturday.
od ledna do bezna
from January to March
od rna do veera
from the morning till the evening
od zatku do konce
from the beginning till the end
Z (= ZE)
1. place:
indicating movement out of, from (after being inside)
Tenhle vlak pijel z Plzn.
This train has arrived from P.
Vezmu si taku z auta.
Ill take the bag from (out of) the car.
2. material:
prsten ze zlata (= zlat prsten)
idle ze deva (= devn idle)
ring of gold (= gold ring)

chair of wood (= wooden chair)
U has no exact counterpart in English. It expresses proximity in place (not being inside!):
Pokm u koly.
Sedli jsme u okna.
Jeho bratr koupil dm u Prahy.
I ll be waiting near (in front of) the school.

We were sitting by the window.
His brother bought a house near Prague.
- In connection with persons, it corresponds to the English at ones place:

Byl jsem u doktora.
I have been at the doctors.
Sejdeme se u m nebo u tebe?
Shall we meet at my or your place?
- The constructions
u ns and u vs can mean
in our/your country
in our/your town
in our/your company, etc.
The preposition is also frequent with names of Czech pubs, e.g.:
The Tiger
U Tygra
The Three Cats
U T koek
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95
OD (= ODE)
1: In spatial meaning it has features similar to the preposition u, but it is dynamic; it

indicates the starting point from the proximity of
Autobus odjd od Hlavnho ndra.
The bus leaves from the (proximity of) Central
station.
Cf.: Vlak odjd z Hlavnho ndra. The train leaves from (the territory of) the
Central station.
In connection with persons it is the only possible counterpart to the English preposition from.
Dostal jsem zprvu od Petra.
I got a message from Peter.
To je drek od jednoho ptele.
Its a present from a friend.
Prv jsem piel od doktora.
I have just come from the doctor.
2: In temporal meaning it indicates the starting point of a period of time. Engl.: from; since
from the beginning
od zatku
from Saturday, since Saturday
od soboty
3: With authorship (name of writer, composer, ) the preposition corresponds to the
English by, but may be left out, so that the pure genitive remains:
povdky (od) Karla apka
tales by Karel apek
opera (od) Bedicha Smetany
an opera by Bedich Smetana
(After all the prepositions mentioned below, the stress of the following word is retained.)
KROM
1: except
Chodm tam kad den krom soboty.
I go there every day except Saturdays.
Byli tam vichni krom Petra.
Everybody was there except Peter.
2: besides, in addition to
Krom etiny studuji jet dva jinjazyky.
I study two other languages besides Czech.
The same meanings as KROM can be expressed by MIMO + Accusative.
VEDLE
1: beside, at the side of, next door
Pan Hoek bydl vedle ns.
Pota je vedle hotelu.
Helena sedla vedle m.
2: the same as krom-paragraph 2
Vedle etiny studuji jet dva jin jazyky.
Mr Hoek lives next door to us.

The post office is next to the hotel.
Helen was sitting beside me.
KOLEM = OKOLO
1: (a)round - both static nad dynamic
Vichni sedli kolem / okolo stolu.
Zem obh kolem / okolo Slunce.
2. pass by
el kolem m, ale neviml si m.
They all were sitting round the table.

The Earth revolves around the Sun.
www.factumcz.cz
I study two other languages besides Czech.
He passed by me without noticing me.
96
BLZKO
near
Je to blzko ns.
Its near to our place.
PODLE
according to, in accordance with
Schze pokrauje podle programu.
podle okolnost
The meeeting continues according to the

programme.
according to circumstances
MSTO
instead of
Jestli chce, j tam pjdu msto tebe.
If you want, Ill go there instead of you.
------------------------------------------DISTINGUISH:
PLACE
Z (ZE)
z Londna
z auta
z ulice
z Nmecka
TIME
OD (ODE)
od stedy
od esti
od zatku
od rna
DO
do Prahy
do vlaku
do domu
do Rakouska
from London
to Prague
from a car
to a train
from the street to the house
from Germany to Austria
DO
do nedle
do osmi (hodin)
do konce
do veera
from Wednesday till Sunday

since six
till eight (oclock)
from the beginning to the end
from morning
till night
PLACE
Z (ZE)
z Londna
from London
ze koly
from school
www.factumcz.cz
PERSON
Engl.
FROM
97
OD (ODE)
od Martina
from Martin
ode m
from me
29
LOCATIVE
Lokl = est pd
Locative is the only case that never occurs without a preposition.

The number of prepositions is limited to five, viz.: V, NA, O, PI, PO .
Remark: For the sake of easier pronunciation, the preposition V is frequently
changed into VE, without any change of meaning.
See also the paragraph General remark on prepositions in chapter 28.
Prepositions V and NA in spatial relations:
V (VE) corresponds mostly to the English preposition in with the spatial meaning of
inclusion. It is static, i.e. it cannot occur after the verbs of movement. The English equivalent
may sometimes be at, but in the meaning of inclusion only. (The choice between in or at is
the matter of English usage.) Examples:
Nom.
Nom.
LOC.
LOC.
dm
auto
in the house
in the car
v dom
v aut
msto ve mst
kancel
in town
v kanceli in the office
Praha v Praze
etina
in Prague
in Czech
v etin
pokoj v pokoji
prce
in the room
at work
v prci
kola ve kole
hotel
at school
in a hotel
v hotelu
NA corresponds mostly to the English on, with the spatial meaning of contact with the
surface. It is static, like the preposition V. (In connection with some nouns, English uses the
prepositions at or in. The usage in connection with particular nouns may differ betweenCzech
and English.) Examples:
Nom.
Nom.
LOC.
LOC.
stl
papr
on the table
on the paper
na stole
na pape
most
trva
on the grass
na most on the bridge
na trv
In connection with some nouns (that must be learnt by heart), the preposition NA does not
refer to the surface, but indicates the inclusion (instead of the expected preposition V), e.g.:
Nom.
Nom.
LOC.
LOC.
pota na pot
Morava
at the post office
in Moravia
na Morav
letit na letiti
Slovensko na Slovensku in Slovakia
at the airport
Prepositions V and NA in temporal relations:
V is used in connection with the names of months:
in January
v lednu
in February
v noru
v beznu in March
v dubnu in April
v kvtnu in May
v ervnu in June
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98
v ervenci
v srpnu
v z
v jnu
v listopadu
v prosinci
in July
in August
in September
in October
in November
in December
The seasons of the year have a grammatically complicated mixture of prepositions and cases:
(na + L) in spring
spring
jaro, n.
na jae
(v + L)
summer
in summer
lto, n.
v lt
(na + A) in autumn
podzim, m. autumn, m.
na podzim
(v + L)
winter
in winter
zima, f.
v zim
-------------------------------------------------------- The preposition O is the equivalent of
a) the English preposition about indicating a topic in constructions like
to speak / talk about , a book about
, a story about a film about etc.
E.g.:
Mluvili jsme o etin.
We were talking about the Czech lang..
tu zajmavou knihu o Africe.
Im reading an interesting book about Africa.
Vidl jsem krsn film o Praze. I saw a beautiful film about Prague.
b) It has a temporal meaning in connection with a limited number of nouns, corresponding
approximately to during, at (the exact choice depending on the English usage).
o Vnocch
o dovolen
at Christmas
on/during holiday
o Velikonocch at Easter
o przdninch on vacations
o plnoci
at midnight
-------------------------------------------------------- The preposition PI is mostly used in temporal relations.
E.g.:
PI
during
during the work
pi prci
during/at the meeting
pi schzi
during/in the exam
pi zkouce
-------------------------------------------------------- The preposition PO is also mostly used
a) in temporal relations, corresponding to the English after, e.g.
PO
po prci
po schzi
po zkouce
after
after the work
after the meeting
after the exam
b) rarely in spatial relations, coresponding to the English along, or all over (or other
translations)
by the railway
po eleznici
along a road
po silnici
We were walking along the street.
li jsme po ulici.
We were strolling along the town.
Chodili jsme po mst.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Each of the five prepositions is moreover used
in certain fixed (often idiomatic) constructions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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99
FORMS OF NOUNS:
MASCULINE ANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
Sg. Nom.
MASCULINE INANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
pn
mu
hrad
stroj
Sg. LOCATIVE
i.e. endings
pnu / pnovi
-U / -OVI
mui / muovi
-I / -OVI
hrad (hradu)
- (-U)
stroji
-I
Pl. LOCATIVE
i.e. endings
pnech
-ECH
much
-CH
hradech
-ECH
strojch
-CH
Sg. Nom.
ena
FEMININE
re
pse
kost
Sg. LOCATIVE
i.e. endings
en
-
ri
-I
psni
-I
kosti
-I
Pl. LOCATIVE
i.e. endings
ench
-CH
rch
-CH
psnch
-CH
kostech
-ECH
Sg. Nom.
Sg. LOCATIVE.
i.e. endings
Pl. LOCATIVE
i.e. endings
msto
NEUTER
moe
ndra
mst (mstu)
- (-U)
moi
-I
ndra
-
mstech
-ECH
moch
-CH
ndrach
-CH
REMARKS:
1: masculine animate:
There is no semantic difference between the endings
-u / -ovi in the hard type
and
-i / -ovi in the soft type.
The two endings are often interchangeable, but it is a matter of habit and stylistics.
Its hardly possible to formulate any exact rules.
When using proper names of persons (either the first name, or the surname), the
ending -ovi is preferred, e.g.
Nom.
Nom.
LOC.
LOC.
Petr
Havel
o Petrovi
o Havlovi
Marek
Masaryk o Masarykovi
o Markovi
Tom
Forman
o Tomovi
o Formanovi
Matj
Dvok
o Matjovi
o Dvokovi
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100
If it is one person that is referred to, e.g. Karel apek, prezident Tom Masaryk,
pan Kov etc., the last name takes the ending -ovi, while the preceding noun(s)
take the short ending,( i.e. -u for hard, and -i for soft): Mluvili jsme o Karlu
apkovi. To je kniha o prezidentu Tomi Masarykovi.. Slyel jsem o panu Kovovi.
BUT: Mluvili jsme o Karlovi, Tomovi a Petrovi. = We talked about Karel, Tom,
and Peter (i.e. three different persons).
2: masculine inanimate (pattern hrad) and neuter (pattern msto)

There is no semantic difference between the endings - (-e) and -u. The choice is often the
matter of habit and usage. The ending - is more frequent.
Sometimes, either ending may be used - in accordance with the individual speakers
decision, e.g.:
Nom.
LOC.
autobus
bus
on the bus
v autobuse = v autobusu
dopis
letter
in the letter
v dopise
= v dopisu
okno
window
in the window
v okn
= v oknu
The ending -u is compulsory after the consonants k, h, ch, r , e.g.:

Nom.
LOC.
vlak
on the train
train
ve vlaku
zatek
beginning
at the beginning
na zatku
Slovensko
Slovakia
in Slovakia
na Slovensku
jih
south
in the south
na jihu
ucho
ear
in the ear
v uchu
sever
in the north
north
na severu
metro
metro/underground
in m., in undergr.
v metru
A few nouns with the consonant r (an rarely with k) do use even the ending -e , but
in that case, the consonant alternations r , and k c are compulsory. E.g.:
Nom.
LOC.
jaro
na jae
spring
in spring
patro
v ptm pate
floor (storey)
on the 5th floor
rok
v roce 2009
year
in the year2009
papr
na pape
= na papru
paper
on the paper
The ending -u is required even by some other nouns,

(mostly international words), e.g.:
Nom.
LOC.
hotel
hotel
v hotelu
film
film
ve filmu
telefon
phone
v telefonu
program
programme
v programu
projekt
project
v projektu
rdio
radio
v rdiu
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101
3: feminine (ena):
Compulsory consonant alternations
-ka-ce -ha-ze, -chae, -rae
Examples:
Nom.
LOC.
banka
in a bank
v bance
Praha
in Prague
v Praze
stecha
on the roof
na stee
sestra
about the sister
o seste
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS, POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS and ADJECTIVES
ten
mj
neuter
moje
(=m)
jedno
nae
jeden n
ciz
maskuline + neuter
nov
tom
Sg.
LOC.
Sg.
Nomin.
masculine
to
mm
nov
ta
ciz
jedna
novm
moje
(=m)
nae
feminine
moj
( =m)
naem
cizm
jedn
na
maskuline + neuter + feminine
Plural
LOC.
jednom
feminine
tch
mch
naich
nov
ciz
nov
ciz
novch
cizch
NOTICE:
The forms of singular feminine, and the plural forms of locative
(all genders) are equal to those of genitive.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Nominative
LOCATIVE
(always after a prepos.)
ty
on
ona
ono
my
vy
oni
mn
tob
nm
nm
ns
vs
nich

who?
what?
somebody
something
Nominative
KDO?
CO?
NKDO
NCO
LOCATIVE
KOM ?
EM?
NKOM
NEM
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102
Examples showing the use of locative forms:

a) personal pronouns
Nominative
LOCATIVE
oni
ty
on
vy
ona
j
my
O kom mluvte?
Mluvme o nich.
Mluvme o tob.
Mluvme o nm.
Mluvme o vs.
Mluvme o n.
Petr mluv o mn.
Martin mluv o ns.
Who are you talking about?

We are talking about them.
We are talking about you.
We are talking about him.
We are talking about you.
We are talking about her.
Peter is talking about me.
Martin is talking about us.
b) names of male persons

Nominative
LOCATIVE
To je Milan.
Tamhle je Tom.
Kde je Martin?
Tam je pan Luke.
To je Vclav Havel.
To je Milo Forman.
To je Zdenk Svrk.
Mluvili jsme o Milanovi.

Mluvili jsme o Tomovi.
Slyel jsi nco o Martinovi?
Mluvili jsme o panu Lukeovi.
etl jsem o Vclavu Havlovi.
Tady je lnek o Miloi Formanovi.
Mluvili jsme o Zdeku Svrkovi.
We were talking about M.

We were talking about T.
Have you heard sth. about M?
We were talking about Mr.L.
I have read about. V.H.

Here is a text about M.F.
We were talking about Z.S.
b) nouns indicating persons (m., f.)

Nominative
LOCATIVE
To je / To jsou
v editel
ten profesor
mj uitel
vae sestra
jej syn
ta hereka
pan Novkov
ti nov soused
vae dcery
Mluvili jsme o
vaem editeli
tom profesorovi
mm uiteli
va seste
jejm synovi
t herece
pan Novkov
tch novch sousedech
vaich dcerch
We were talking about

your director
the professor
my teacher
your sister
her son
the actress
Ms Novk
the new neighbours
your daughters
c) various inanimate nouns

(Remark: The following examples are shown in connection with the prepositions V, NA, PI,
PO. The construction mluvit O (talk about) can of coourse be used as well.)
Nominative
LOCATIVE
esk republika
hlavn msto
jeden esk film
moje nov kancel
www.factumcz.cz
v esk republice
v hlavnm mst
v jednom eskm filmu
v m nov kanceli
103
in the Czech republic

in the capital (city)
in a Czech film
in my new office
Hlavn ndra
stedn Evropa
ten dm
kter ulice?
mj prvn dopis
jedno velk letit
ta politick situace
ten druh nvrh
kter jin msc ?
ten mal slovnk
nae prvn cvien
njak jin vlka
nov esk vlda
jin program
ta nov kniha
prav strana
druh ruka
vae msto
takov situace
sedm poschod
pt zastvka
moje otzka
vae odpov
tvj projev
dlouh pestvka
velk domy
ty potae
esk koly
ty zem
jin vci
velk msta
nkter letit
www.factumcz.cz
na Hlavnm ndra
ve stedn Evrop
v tom dom
ve kter ulici?
v mm prvnm dopise
na jednom velkm letiti
v t politick situaci
v tom druhm nvrhu
ve kterm jinm msci ?
v tom malm slovnku
v naem prvnm cvien
v njak jin vlce
v nov esk vld
v jinm programu
v t nov knize
na prav stran
v druh ruce
ve vaem mst
v takov situaci
v sedmm poschod
na pt zastvce
v m otzce
ve va odpovdi
pi tvm projevu
po dlouh pestvce
ve velkch domech
na tch potach
v eskch kolch
v tch zemch
v jinch vcech
ve velkch mstech
na nkterch letitch
104
at the Central station

in central Europe
in that house
in what street?
in my first letter
at one (a) large airport
in that political situation
in the other suggestion
in what other month ?
in that small dictionary
in our first exercise
in another war
in the new Czech cabinet
in another programme
in the new book
on the right(hand) side
in the other hand
in your town
in such situation
on 7th floor
at next stop (tram, bus)
in my question
in your answer
during your speech
after a long break
in big houses
on those computers
in Czech schools
in those countries
in other matters
in big cities
at some airports
DATIVE
Dativ = tet pd
30
FORMS OF NOUNS
It is advantageous to compare the singular forms of dative with those of locative:

Sg. Nom.
Sg. LOC.
Sg. DATIVE
Pl. DATIVE
MASCULINE ANIMATE
pn
mu
pnu / pnovi
mui / muovi
pnU / pnOVI muI/ muOVI
pnM
muM
MASCULINE INANIMATE
hrad
stroj
hrad (hradu)
stroji
hradU
strojI
hradM
strojM
Sg. Nom.
Sg. LOC.
ena
en
FEMININE
re
pse
ri
psni
Sg. DATIVE
en
rI
psnI
kostI
Pl. DATIVE
enM
rM
psnM
kostEM
msto
mst (mstu)
NEUTER
moe
moi
ndra
ndra
Sg. DATIVE
mstU
moI
ndra
Pl. DATIVE
mstM
moM
ndraM
Sg. Nom.
Sg. LOC.
kost
kosti
COMMENT:
Singular:
Most of the declension groups have in singular equal forms for dative and for locative.
For animate masculines, the choice between the endings
-u / -ovi and -i / -ovi follows the same rules as in locative.
For the feminine declension group ena, the same consonant alternations are
compulsory as in locative, i.e.
-ka-ce, -ha-ze, -chae, -rae .
In the patterns hrad and msto, there is only one ending (unlike in locative).
Plural:
Notice that all masculines use the ending -m.
(The same ending is used even for the neuter pattern mstm.)
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105
Sg.
DATIVE
masculine + neuter
tom
jednom
mm
naem
feminine
novm
cizm
t
jedn
moj ( =m)
na
nov
ciz
Plural
DATIVE
masculine + neuter + feminine

tch
mch
naich
novch
cizch
NOTICE:
The forms of singular feminine, and the plural forms of all the three genders are
equal for dative, locative and genitive.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Nominative
DATIVE
(without prepos.)
DATIVE
(after prepos.)
ty
on
ono
ona
mi
ti
mu
mu
mn
tob
nmu nmu
my
vy
}nm
}vm
oni
jim
nim

who?
what?
somebody
something
Nominative
KDO?
CO?
NKDO
NCO
DATIVE
KOMU ?
EMU?
NKOMU
NEMU
The detailed survey of the adjective and pronoun forms can be found in chapter 33.
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106
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF DATIVE

1: The essential function of the DATIVE case is that of expressing the receiver or
experiencer after verbs of giving and telling, in sentences with the structure
Somebody gave (sent, sold, lent, offered ) somebody something.
= Somebody gave something to somebody.
Somebody told (phoned, showed, ) somebody something.
= Somebody said something to somebody.
i.e. the syntactic function of indirect object:
Eve gave Adam an apple.
Eva
Nomin.
dala
Adamovi
Dative
jablko.
Accus.
Eva
Nomin.
dala
jablko
Accus.
Adamovi.
Dative
Adam
Nomin.
poslal
Ev
Dative
zprvu.
Accus.
Adam sent Eve a message.
Adam
Nomin.
poslal
zprvu
Accus.
Ev.
Dative
Adam sent a message to Eve.
Eve gave the apple to Adam.
Here is a list of some verbs used in such constructions:

dvat
dt, dm, dal
} give
kat
ct, eknu, ekl
} tell
poslat
poslat, polu, poslal
} send
vysvtlovat
vysvtlit
} explain
pjovat
pjit
} lend
oznamovat
oznmit
} announce
prodvat
prodat
} sell
ukazovat
ukzat, uku, ukzal
} show
Examples:
Petr mi dal tvoji adresu.
Komu jste to dali?
Lenka poslala Martinovi zprvu.
Michal pjil Zuzan auto.
Tereza prodala ten lstek Mirkovi.
ekl jsem to taky panu Petrnkovi.
Kdo mu to ekl?
Komu jsi to ekl?
Mete nm to vysvtlit?
My vm ukeme cestu.
My vm ukeme cestu.
www.factumcz.cz
Peter gave me your address.

Whom did you give it to?
Lenka sent Martin a message.
Michael lent Susan the car.
Tereza sold the ticket to Mirek.
I said it also to Mr Petrnek.
Who told him that?
Whom did you tell that?
Can you explain it for us?
Well show you the way.
Well show you the way.
107
2: THE OBJECT AFTER CERTAIN VERBS MUST BE EXPRESSED BY DATIVE

(AND NOT ACCUSATIVE), EVEN IF IT IS NOT AN INDIRECT OBJECT.
The most important verbs:
understand
rozumt
0
radit
poradit
} advise
dkovat
podkovat
} thank
gratulovat
pogratulovat
} congratulate
pomhat
pomoct, pomu, pomohl
} help
tykat
0
address sb. as ty
vit
(uvit)
} believe
vykat
0
address sb. as vy
Note:
dkovat nkomu (D) za nco (A) = to thank sb. for sth.
Examples:
emu nerozumte?
Nerozumm t druh vt.
Rozum tomu?
Dkuji vm.
Dkuji vm za radu.
Prosm vs, mete mi pomoct?
Kdo ti pomohl?
Komu jsi pomohl?
Mu vm pomoct?
J tomu nemu vit.
Mete mi vit.
J vm poradm.
Co mi radte?
Gratuluji vm.
My naemu uiteli vykme.
Meme si tykat.
What is it you dont understand?

I dont understand the other sentence.
Do you understand it?
Thank you.
Thank you for (your) advice.
Can you help me, please?
Who helped you?
Whom did you help?
Can I help you?
I cant believe it.
You can believe me.
Ill advise you.
What do you advise me (to do)?
I congratulate you. (= Congratulations.)
We address our teacher as vy.
We can address each other as ty (We can use
firtst names).
3: Expressing age: The person whose age is mentioned has the form of DATIVE !
Examples:
Kolik je vm rok (= let) ?
How old are you?
Je mi dvacet osm (let).
I am twenty eight.
Kolik let je vaemu bratrovi?
How old is your brother?
Je mu devatenct.
He is nineteen.
Jejmu otci bude pt msc padest.
Her father will be fifty next month.
Martinovi bylo vera sedmadvacet.
Martin was twenty seven yesterday.
Lence je dvacet est (let).
Lenka is twenty six (years).
Tomu novmu editeli je asi tyicet.
The new director is about forty.
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108
Remark:
1
2, 3, 4
5
jeden rok
one year
dva, ti, tyi roky
two, three, four years
pt, est kolik? rok (= let) 5, 6 how many? years
(No difference between the forms rok and let.)
4 a: Special constructions of certain verbs, where the person concerned (the syntactic
subject in English) must be expressed by means of DATIV.
PRAHA
SE
LB.
I like Prague.
MI
Nomin.
Dative
This construction can be better understood if it is transformed into the English
PRAGUE
APPEALS
TO ME.
Most frequent verbs of this type:
lbit se
0
like, enjoy
hodit se suit, come in handy

0
disturb, mind
vadit
0
Examples:
Jak se vm to lb?
Jak se vm to lbilo?
Lb se mi to.
Jak se vm tady lb?
Petrovi se to lb.
Zuzan se ten obraz nelb.
Cizincm se lb Praha.
Komu se to nelb?
Mete to udlat, kdy se vm to hod.
Jak vm to chutn?
Moc mi to chutnalo. Bylo to vborn.
Nebude vm vadit, kdy otevu okno?
Ne. Vbec mi to nevad.
Ty aty vm slu.
www.factumcz.cz
chutnat
0
like (the taste of)
sluet
0
suit (clothing)
How do you like it?

How did you like it?How did you enjoy it?
I like it.
How do you enjoy being here?
Peter likes it.
Susan doesnt like the picture.
Foreigners like Prague.
Who doesnt like it?
You can do it when(ever) it suits you.
How do you like the dish?
I enjoyed (eating) it very much. It was delicious.
Will you mind my opening the window?
No I dont mind at all.
The dress suits you.
109
4 B: SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS WITH THE VERB BT

THE PERSON CONCERNED MUST BE EXPRESSED IN DATIVE.
THE VERB HAS THE FORM JE IN PRESENT, AND BYLO IN PAST TENSE.
The most important constructions are those with the adverbs zima (cold), and patn
(unwell, sick):
Examples:
Je mi zima.
I am cold.
Myslm, e Zuzan je zima.
I think that Susan is cold.
Komu je zima?
Who is (feels) cold?
Je mi patn.
I feel sick.
Nen mi dobe.
I dont feel well.
Petrovi bylo v noci patn.
Peter felt sick last night.
Tereze taky nebylo dobe.
Tereza didnt feel well either.
5: After the prepositions
PROTI
KVLI
(and some others)
K (= KE) expresses movement approaching towards a place (building ..), but not entering.
Pijdu ke kole a pokm na tebe.
Ill come to (the proximity of) the school and

wait for you.
(I.e.: I wont enter the building.)
Ta tramvaj jezd k Nrodnmu divadlu. The tram goes to (the proximity of) the
National theatre.
Kdy jsem piel k naemu domu, tak
When I came (nearer) to our house, then I
jsem to uvidl.
caught a sight of it.
el jsem k oknu a podval jsem se ven. I went to the window and looked out.
In connection with persons it expresses the idea of movement to someones place:
Mu k tob ztra pijt?
V sobotu pojedu k Petrovi.
Nen mi dobe. Musm jt k doktorovi.
Can I come to you (your place / house )

tomorrow? (= Can I visit you tomorrow?)
Ill travel to Peter (s place) on Saturday.)
I dont feel well. I must go to the doctors.
PROTI
a: against
Pt lid bylo proti tomu nvrhu.
Five persons were against the proposal.
Kdo je pro? Kdo je proti?
Those in favour? Those against?
(Kdo se zdrel hlasovn?)
(Any abstentions?)
Nemte nic proti tomu, kdy otevu
Do you mind my opening the window?
okno?
(= Nevad vm, kdy otevu okno?)
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110
b: opposite (in the spatial meaning, the preposition

NAPROTI may be used as well, without any semantic difference.
Ten obchod je (na)proti hlavnmu ndra. The shop is opposite the central station.
Jejich dm je (na)proti naemu.
Their house is opposite to ours.
KVLI
for the sake of; because of; due to; owing to

Pomohl jsem mu kvli jeho rodin.

Kvli patnmu poas jsme zstali doma.
Kvli nemoci nepiel do koly.
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111
I helped him for the sake of his family.

We stayed at home because of the bad
weather.
He hasnt come to school due to the
illness.
WORD ORDER OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS IN THE DATIVE CASE

Slovosled osobnch zjmen v dativu
A non-prepositional personal pronoun in dative is placed immediately before the
accusative pronoun. The internal order of the enclitics, i.e. second place unstressed
words is arranged in the following way:
1.
My
Kdy
J
Pro
My
2.
3.
JSEM
JSI
JSME
JSTE
SE
SI
Pers.Pron.
DATIVE
Pers.Pron.
ACCUS.
Dem.pron.
TO
TAM
MU
NM
TI
MU
JIM
HO
JE
TO
JI
TO
JSME
JSTE
JSEM
JSI
JSME
SE
TAM
TAM
dali.
poslali?
pjil.
neposlal?
snaili vysvtlit.
Examples:
My jsme mu to dali.
Kdy jste nm je poslali?
J jsem ti to kal.
Pro jsi mu ji tam neposlal?
My jsem se jim to tam snaili vysvtlit.
Mj soused mi je pj.
Minulou nedli jsme vm to nabzeli.
J ti zavolm ztra veer.
Kdy jsi mu to ekl?
On mi to nechtl vysvtlit.
My jsme vm to neslbili.
J jsem mu to chtl poradit.
Pro jsi mu to nepodal?
Kdo ti to poradil?
Jet jsme mu za to jet nepodkovali.
Jak se vm to lbilo?
J jsem ti nerozuml.
Komu jste to ekli?
J jsem mu nemohl pomoct.
Co jet jste si koupili v tom obchod?
Minulou nedli se nm to nehodilo.
www.factumcz.cz
The translation sometimes sounds un-English,

but we try to express all the parts of the
sentence.
We gave it to him.
When did you send them to us?
I told you that.
Why didnt you send it (fem.) to him there?
I tried to explain it for them there.
My neighbour will lend me them.
We offered it to you last Sunday.
Ill ring you up tomorrow evening.
When did you tell him that?
He didnt want to explain it for me.
We didnt promise you that.
I wanted to advise him that.
Why didnt you pass it to him?
Who advised you that?
We have not yet thanked him for it.
How did you like it?
I didnt understand you .
Whom did you tell that?
I couldnt help him.
What else did you buy in that shop?
Last Sunday didnt suit us.
112
INSTRUMENTAL
Instrumentl = sedm pd
31
NOUNS
MASCULINE ANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
Sg. Nom.
MASCULINE INANIMATE
hard conson.
soft conson.
pn
mu
hrad
stroj
Sg. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
pnem
-EM
muem
-EM
hradem
-EM
strojem
-EM
Pl. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
pny
-Y
mui
-I
hrady
-Y
stroji
-I
Sg. Nom.
ena
FEMININE
re
pse
kost
Sg. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
enou
-OU
r
-
psn
-
kost
-
Pl. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
enami
-AMI
remi
-EMI
psnmi
-MI
kostmi
-MI
Sg. Nom.
NEUTER
moe
msto
ndra
Sg. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
mstem
-EM
moem
-EM
ndram
-M
Pl. INSTRUM.
i.e. endings
msty
-Y
moi
-I
ndrami
-MI
Plural
INSTR.
Sg.
INSTR.
masculine + neuter
www.factumcz.cz
tm
jednm
mm
nam
feminine
moj (=mou)
na
masculine + neuter + feminine
tmi
novm
cizm
tou
jednou
mmi
naimi
113
novmi
cizmi
novou
ciz
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Nominative
j
INSTR.
(no prep.)
mnou
INSTR.
se mnou
(after prep.)
ty
on
ona
ono
tebou
jm
jm
s tebou
s nm
s n
s nm
my
nmi
s nmi
vy
oni
vmi
jimi
s vmi
s nimi
Remark: The bare forms od personal pronoun in the instrumental have much lower
occurence than the forms with prepositions the most frequent preposition being s (= with).
who?
what?
somebody
something
Nominative
KDO?
CO?
NKDO
NCO
INSTRUMENTAL
KM ?
M ?
NKM
NM
The most important FUNCTIONS OF INSTRUMENTAL :

(As the very name indicates, the main function of this case is to express instrument, in a
broad sense.)
1: instrument (in English mostly with sth. - in Czech no preposition !)
m jste otevel ty dvee?
Otevel jsem dvee tm novm klem.
Pro pe ervenou tukou?
Kterm knoflkem se vypn to rdio?
Me ho vypnout tm levm knoflkem.
Jme lc, vidlikou a noem.
What did you open the door with?

I opened the door with the new key.
Why are you writing with a red pencil?
Which button is the radio switched off?
You can switch it off with the left button.
We eat with spoon, fork and knife.
2: means of travel
Jedu / Cestuji
vlakem / autobusem / taxkem / vtahem (m.)
autem / metrem / letadlem
(n.)
tramvaj / lod
(f.)
I go by /I travel by / I take
train/ bus / taxi / lift
car// underground/ plane
tram / ship
3 :Nominal part of the predicate

a: profession:
Jeho bratr je uitelem / lkaem / ednkem.
Jeho sestra je uitelkou / lkakou / ednic.
His brother is teacher / doctor / clerk.

His sister is teacher / doctor / clerk.
In this function, instrumental is optional, and it may be replaced by nominative, i.e.:

Jeho bratr je uitel / lka / ednk.
His brother is teacher / doctor / clerk.
Jeho sestra je uitelka / lkaka / ednice.
His sister is teacher / doctor / clerk.
www.factumcz.cz
114
b. other semantic relations:

Boena Nmcov je autorkou Babiky.
Hudba je nejen jeho konkem, ale i
zamstnnm
B.N. is the author of (the book) Grandmother.

Music is not only his hobby, but even
profession.
Instrumental can even here be replaced by nominative, i.e.:

Boena Nmcov je autorka Babiky.
B.N. is the author of (the book) Grandmother.
Hudba je nejen jeho konek, ale i
Music is not only his hobby, but even
zamstnn.
profession.
Mind the question:
M jste?
= Jak mte povoln?
M je v otec?
= Jak povoln m v otec?
What are you by professsion?

What is your profession?
What is your father by professsion?
What profession has your father?
c: After the verb stt se (become), however, the instrumental is compulsory. It cannot be
repaced by nominative.
Jeho dcera se chce stt herekou.
Vclav Havel se stal prvnm eskm
prezidentem.
Potae se staly samozejmost.
His daughter wants to become actress.

V.H. became the first Czech president.
Computers have become a commonplace.
4: KUDY? Which way?

Pjdeme Celetnou ulic.
Te vlak pojede tunelem.
Pojedeme tou druhou silnic.
We will be going along Celetn street.

The train will oow go through a tunnel.
Well take the other road.
(Sometimes also corresponding to the English through, in Czech SKRZ + accus.)

Te vlak pojede tunelem. (instrum.)
Te vlak pojede skrz tunel (accus.)
5 : Object after some verbs:
e.g.:
pohybovat (impf.) pohnout (pf.)
chlubit se (impf.) pochlubit se (pf.)
zabvat se (impf. )- 0
pltvat (impf.) 0
move sth.
boast of
1: deal with; 2: be engaged in
waste
Nepohybuj tm stolem.
Zrann nemohl pohybovat pravou rukou.
On se pod chlub svmi spchy.
Ta kniha se zabv histori stedovku.
Jeho ena se zabv politikou.
Nechci pltvat penzi a asem.
Dont move the table.

The injured could not move his right hand.
He is always boasting about his success.
The book deals with medieval history.
His wife is engaged in politics.
I dont want to waste money and time.
www.factumcz.cz
115
6 : Agent in passive constructions

Amerika byla objevena Kolumbem.
Prask univerziza byla zaloena krlem
Karlem tvrtm.
America was discovered by Columbus

The Prague university was founded by king
Charles IV.
7 : Various adverbial functions

Mluvil tichm hlasem. (= potichu)
Dti skkaly radost.
Vta mus zanat velkm psmenem.
8: after the following six prepositions:
He was speaking in a low voice. (= silently)

The children jumped with joy.
A sentence must start with a capital letter.
S
PED ZA NAD POD MEZI
S (= SE) corresponds to the English WITH, but only in the meaning accompanied by,
never when mentioning the instrument see above! The English counterpart may frequently
be expressed by the conjunction AND.
Mirek el do kina s Lenkou.
Mu jt s tebou?
Ne. Te se mnou neme jt.
Potebuju s vmi mluvit.
Mu mluvit s panem Pospilem?
Mirek went to the cinema with Lenka.

(= M. and L. went to the cinema.)
May I go with you?
No. You cant go with me now.
I need to speak with you /talk to you.
May I talk to Mr Pospil?
The preposition
BEZ
also functions as the opposite to
Pekldal jsi ten text se slovnkem nebo bez

slovnku?
Dte si kvu s mlkem?
- Ne, dkuju. Bez mlka.
, i.e. in English with without .
Did you translate the text with or without

a dictionary?
Will you have coffee with milk?
- No, thank you.. Without milk.
PED (= PEDE)
a: spatial relation:
in front of
Pokm na tebe ped divadlem.
On sedl pede mnou.
.
b: temporal relation: before
To se stalo ped druhou svtovou vlkou.
Mu si ten text pest jet ped schz?
Ill wait for you in front of the theatre.

He was sitting in front of me.
It happened before the World War Two.
May Iread the text before the meeting?
c: temporal relation: ago

Vidl jsem Michala ped tdnem.
Potkal jsem Zuzanu ped hodinou.
I saw Michael a week ago.

I met Susan an hour ago.
d: order:
Vy jste piel pede mnou (I) nebo po mn (L)?
J jsem piel ped vmi.
Did you come before or after me?

I came before you.
www.factumcz.cz
116
ZA
behind
Za divadlem je velk park.

J jsem sedl za tebou.
NAD (=NADE)
There is a large park behind the theatre.

I was sitting behind you.
above
Letli jsme nad mraky.

Je pt stup nad nulou. (= Je plus pt stup.)
Praha le piblin 200 metr nad moem.
POD (=PODE)
We were flying above the clouds.

Its five degrees above zero.
Prague is situated approximately 200
metres above sea level.
below
Pod tou fotografi je njak text.

Venku je deset stup pod nulou. (minus 10
stup)
There is a text below the photo.

Its ten degrees below zero outside.
MEZI
a: between (spatial, temporal and other relations)

Jihlava je mezi Prahou a Brnem.
To bylo mezi prvn a druhou svtovou
vlkou.
Jak je rozdl mezi kopcem a horou?
Jihlava is situated between Prague and Brno.

It was between World War I and World War
II.
What is the difference between a hill and a
mountain?
b: among
Mezi naimi zkaznky je nkolik
zahraninch firem.
There are several foreign companies among

our customers.
Mind the prepositions PED ZA NAD POD MEZI in spatial relations:
PED
ZA
NAD
POD
MEZI
www.factumcz.cz
KDE ?
(= where?) static relation
{
(sth. is somewhere)
+ INSTRUMENTL
KAM ?
(=where to?) dynamic relation
y
(to put sth. somewhere)
+ ACCUSATIVE
Taxk ek ped domem.

idle je za stolem.
Lampa vis nad stolem.
Taka je pod stolem.
Jihlava je mezi Prahou a Brnem.
Taxk pijel ped dm.

Dal jsem tu idli za stl.
Me dt tu lampu nad stl.
Ten lstek spadl pod stl.
Me dt tu idli mezi stl a okno.
117
32
VOCATIVE
Vokativ = pt pd
Vocative has only one function, viz. that of addressing persons (and pets).
(Even inanimate objects may be addressed when personified, but we leave out such marginal
instances in our survey.)
Vocative stays outside the syntactic structure of a sentence (it does not represent any clause
element), and in writing it is separated by commas.
Only nouns in singular are inflected.
(In plural of nouns, vocative forms are equal to those of nominative.
Adjectives and pronouns have no special forms for vocative at all.)
THE FORMS OF VOCATIVE
Masculine animate hard
a: mostly
(except those ending in : k, ch, h)
Nominative
VOCATIVE
-E
pan doktor
pane doktore
pan profesor pane profesore
pan prezident pane prezidente
pan Holub
pane Holube
pan Filip
pane Filipe
Martin
Martine
Michal
Michale
b: those ending in
-k, -ch, -h
Nominative
-k, -ch, -h
Radek
Mirek
pan Novk
pan Svrk
pan Werich
Oldich
pan Tvaroh
c: those ending in -r
preceded by another consonant
Nominative
VOCATIVE
cons.+R
-E
Petr
Pete
pan ministr
pane ministe
bratr
brate
d: proper names ending in -s

Nominative
-s
pan Halas
pan Klaus
VOCATIVE
-kU, -chU, -hU
Radku
Mirku
pane Novku
pane Svrku
pane Werichu
Oldichu
pane Tvarohu
VOCATIVE
-sI
pane Halasi
pane Klausi
Remark: The consonant s is in fact

ambivalent. Although it mostly behaves
as hard, proper names follow the soft
declension pattern mu in all cases.
e: special forms:
Nominative
VOCATIVE
lovk
love
Bh
Boe
syn
synu
www.factumcz.cz
man
God
son
118
Masculine animate soft, and those ending in -tel:

f: mostly
Nominative
g:
those ending in -ec
Nominative
-EC
pan velvyslanec
pan poslanec
pan Palivec
VOCATIVE
-I
Tomi
Miloi
pteli
pane editeli
pane Rybi
Tom
Milo
ptel
pan editel
pan Ryb
VOCATIVE
-E
pane velvyslane
pane poslane
pane Palive
h: Masculine animate ending in -a:

Nominative
-A
pan Svoboda
pan Rika
pan Prochzka
pan pedseda
mil kolega
tta
Feminine:
Every
-a
Nominative
-A
Martina
Jana
Tereza
Lenka
Zuzana
pan doktorka
pan profesorka
pan editelka
VOCATIVE
-O
pane Svobodo
pane Riko
pane Prochzko
pane pedsedo Mr.Chairman
mil kolego
dear colleague
dad
tto
is changed into
-o.
VOCATIVE
-O
Martino
Jano
Terezo
Lenko
Zuzano
pan doktorko
pan profesorko
pan editelko
All the other nouns remain unchanged (i.e. identical with the form of nominative).
As it was mentioned above, vocative plural is identical with the nominative form.
In this connection, it may be useful to remember the following formulas:
Dmy a pnov,
Mil ptel,
Ven kolegyn, ven kolegov,
www.factumcz.cz
Ladies and gentlemen!

Dear friends,
Dear colleagues ((female, male))
119
33
SUMMARIZING SURVEY OF DECLENSION FORMS
The preceding chapters introduced the declension of separate cases, combining forms and
syntactic functions.
Here follows synoptical morphological survey of nouns, adjectives, pronouns and numerals.
The declensional cases are not arranged in the traditional Czech order, i.e. nominative,
genitive, dative, accusative, vocative, locative, lnstrumental, but they are presented in a layout
that is more convenient for foreign learners.
The forms of vocative are intenionally left aside due to the peripheral syntactic position of
this case.
NOUNS
Substantiva = podstatn jmna
(the declension patterns mentioned so far)
MASCULINE ANIMATE
maskulinum ivotn = musk rod ivotn
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
pn
pna
-A
pna
-A
pnovi pnu -OVI / -U
pnovi pnu -OVI / -U
pnem
-EM
mu
mue
mue
mui muovi
mui muovi
muem
-E
-E
-I / -OVI
-I / -OVI
-EM
pni
pny
pn
pnm
pnech
pny
mui
mue
mu
mum
much
mui
-I
-E
-
-M
-CH
-I
-I
-Y
-
-M
-ECH
-Y
MASCULINE INANIMATE
maskulinum neivotn = musk rod neivotn
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
hrad
hrad
hradu
hradu
hrad hradu
hradem
-U
-U
- / -U
-EM
stroj
stroj
stroje
stroji
stroji
strojem
-E
-I
-I
-EM
hrady
hrady
hrad
hradm
hradech
hrady
-Y
-Y
-
-M
-ECH
-Y
stroje
stroje
stroj
strojm
strojch
stroji
-E
-E
-
-M
-CH
-I
120
FEMININE
femininum = ensk rod
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
ena
enu
eny
en
en
enou
-A
-U
-Y
-
-
-OU
re
ri
re
ri
ri
r
-E
-I
-E
-I
-I
-
pse
pse
psn
psni
psni
psn
-
-I
-I
-
kost
kost
kosti
kosti
kosti
kost
-I
-I
-I
-
eny
eny
en
enm
ench
enami
-Y
-Y
-M
-CH
-AMI
re
re
r
rm
rch
remi
-E
-E
-I
-M
-CH
-EMI
psn
psn
psn
psnm
psnch
psnmi
-
-
-
-M
-CH
-MI
kosti
kosti
kost
kostem
kostech
kostmi
-I
-I
-I
-EM
-ECH
-MI
NEUTER
neutrum = stedn rod
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
msto
msto
msta
mstu
mst (mstu)
mstem
-O
-O
-A
-U
- / -U
-EM
moe
moe
moe
moi
moi
moem
-E
-E
-E
-I
-I
-EM
ndra
ndra
ndra
ndra
ndra
ndram
-
-
-
-
-
-M
msta
msta
mst
mstm
mstech
msty
-A
-A
-M
-ECH
-Y
moe
moe
mo
mom
moch
moi
-E
-E
-
-M
-CH
-I
ndra
ndra
ndra
ndram
ndrach
ndrami
-
-
-
-M
-CH
-MI
121
Technical remark:
It is more convenient to rearrange the order of genders in the survey of
adjectives, possessive pronouns and demonstrative pronouns into
masculine animate, masculine inanimate, neuter, feminine.
ADJECTIVES
Adjektiva = pdavn jmna
hard (tvrd)
m.anim.
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
m.inan.
neuter
femin.
m.
an.
m.
inan.
n.
f.
nov
novho
novho
novmu
novm
novm
nov
nov
novho
novmu
novm
novm
nov
nov
novho
novmu
novm
novm
nov
novou
nov
nov
nov
novou
HO
HO
MU
M
M
OU
OU
nov
nov
novch
novm
novch
novmi
nov
nov
novch
novm
novch
novmi
nov
nov
novch
novm
novch
novmi
nov
nov
novch
novm
novch
novmi
m.inan.
neuter
femin.
m.
an.
m.
inan.
n.
f.
ciz
cizho
cizho
cizmu
cizm
cizm
ciz
ciz
cizho
cizmu
cizm
cizm
ciz
ciz
cizho
cizmu
cizm
cizm
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
ciz
HO
HO
MU
M
M
ciz
ciz
cizch
cizm
cizch
cizmi
ciz
ciz
cizch
cizm
cizch
cizmi
ciz
ciz
cizch
cizm
cizch
cizmi
ciz
ciz
cizch
cizm
cizch
cizmi
soft (mkk)
m.anim.
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
122
CH
M
CH
MI
CH
M
CH
MI
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
Pivlastovac (= posesivn) zjmena
Singular
N
A
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
f.
MJ
MHO
MJ
MJ
MOJE M
MOJE M
MOJE M
MOJI MOU
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
MHO
MMU
MM
MM
MOJI M
MOJE M
MOJ
MOJ
MOJ
MOJ
MOJE M
MOJE M
G
D
L
I
MOJE M
MOJE M
M
M
M
MOU
MOJE M
MOJE M
MCH
MM
MCH
MMI
The pronoun TVJ is declined in the same way as mj .

Singular
N
A
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
f.
N
NAEHO
N
N
NAE
NAE
NAE
NAI
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
NAEHO
NAEMU
NAEM
NAM
NAI
NAE
NA
NA
NA
NA
NAE
A
G
D
L
I
NAE
NAICH
NAIM
NAICH
NAIMI
The pronoun V is declined in the same way as n.

The pronoun JEJ is declined in the same way as the adjective ciz.
The pronouns JEHO and JEJICH remain unchanged.
www.factumcz.cz
123
NAE
Ukazovac (= demonstrativn) zjmena
Singular
N
A
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
f.
TEN
TOHO
TEN
TEN
TO
TO
TA
TU
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
TOHO
TOMU
TOM
TM
TI
TY
T
T
T
TOU
TY
TY
G
D
L
I
TA
TA
TY
TY
TCH
TM
TCH
TMI
In the demonstrative pronouns TENHLE / TENTO (this)

and TAMTEN (that)
it is only the part -ten- that is declined (as above). The suffixes -hle , -to or the prefix
tamare added to the declined forms of ten" .
INTERROGATIVE, INDEFINITE, NEGATIVE PRONOUNS
Tzac, neurit, zporn zjmena
A
G
D
L
I
KDO ?
who?
KOHO ?
KOHO ?
KOMU ?
(o) KOM ?
KM
nkdo
somebody
nkoho
nkoho
nkomu
(o) nkom
nkm
nikdo nobody
nikoho
nikoho
nikomu
(o) nikom
nikm
N
A
G
D
L
I
CO ?
what?
CO ?
EHO ?
EMU ?
(o) EM ?
M ?
nco
something
nco
neho
nemu
(o) nem
nm
nic
nothing
nic
nieho
niemu
(o) niem
nim
www.factumcz.cz
124
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Osobn zjmena
without preposition after preposition
N
A
G
D
L
I
--M (= MNE)
M (= MNE)
MI
MN
--MN
MNOU
without preposition
N
A
G
D
L
I
N
A
G
D
L
I
N
A
G
D
L
I
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
TY
T
T
TI
---
In accusative and genitive

the same forms are used
both without and with a
preposition.
The pronunciation of M
and MN is identical.
Mind, however,the spelling!
after preposition
--TEBE
TEBE
TOB
TOB
TEBOU
MY
VY
NS
VS
NS
VS
NM
VM
NS
VS
NMI
VMI
No difference without or after prepositions.
without preposition
after preposition
ON
HO (JEJ)
HO (JEJ)
MU
--JM
--NJ
(NHO)
NJ
(NHO)
NMU
NM
NM
without preposition
after preposition
ONO
HO (JE)
HO (JEJ)
MU
--JM
--NJ
(N)
NJ
(NHO)
NMU
NM
NM
125
The bracketed
forms are used in
higher style;
they may
sometimes sound
obsolete.
without preposition
after preposition
ONA
JI
J
J
--J
--NI
N
N
N
N
without preposition
after preposition
ONI
JE
JICH
JIM
--JIMI
--N
NICH
NIM
NICH
NIMI
N
A
G
D
L
I
N
A
G
D
L
I
Notice:
Mind the short

vowel in accusative,
long vowel in
genitive, locative,
dative, instrumental.
The prepositions ending in a consonant, i.e. od, bez, k, s, v, ped, nad, pod,
add the vowel -e in connection with the inflected forms of the pronoun J ,
i.e.
ODE M, BEZE M
(Genitive)
KE MN
(Dative)
VE MN
(Locative)
SE MNOU, PEDE MNOU, NADE MNOU, PODE MNOU (Instrum.)

The vowel is not added to prepositions in combination
with the other personal pronouns.
www.factumcz.cz
126
CARDINAL NUMERALS
Zkladn slovky
JEDEN has identical inflectional forms with the demonstrative pronoun ten, i.e.:
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
f.
Singular
N
JEDEN
JEDEN
JEDNO
JEDNA
A
JEDNOHO
JEDEN
JEDNO
JEDNU
G
D
L
I
JEDNOHO
JEDNOMU
JEDNOM
JEDNM
Plural
N
A
JEDNI
JEDNY
JEDN
JEDN
JEDN
JEDNOU
JEDNY
JEDNY
G
D
L
I
JEDNA
JEDNA
JEDNY
JEDNY
JEDNCH
JEDNM
JEDNCH
JEDNMI
Remark: The plural forms are used rarely, mostly in connection with pluralia tantum, e.g.
V t mstnosti byly jen jedny dvee.
There was only one door in the room.
etl jsem to v jednch eskch novinch. I read it in a Czech newspaper.
The declension of DVA
m. anim.
N
m. inanim.
DV
The numeral OBA (both) is declined in the same way:

m. anim..
m. inanim.
n.
f.
DVA
DVA
f.
A
G
D
L
I
n.
DV
DVOU
DVMA
DVOU
DVMA
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
OBA
OBA
OB
OBOU
OBMA
OBOU
OBMA
127
OB
TI
N
A
G
D
L
I
TYI
(all genders)
(all genders)
TI
TI
T = TECH
TEM
TECH
TEMI
TYI
TYI
TY = TYECH
TYEM
TYECH
TYMI
Starting from PT, the accusative is equal to nominative,

and in all the other cases the ending -I is added.
N
A
G
D
L
I
PT
EST
SEDM
OSM
DEVT
DESET
PTI
ESTI
SEDMI
OSMI
DEVTI
DESETI
The same applies to jedenct, dvanct, etc.

STO
is declined like msto (neuter)
TISC
is declined like stroj (masculine)
MILION
is declined like hrad (masculine)
INDEFINITE AND INTERROGATIVE NUMERALS

Neurit a tzac slovky
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
}
}
MNOHO
many, much
MNOHA
}
}
NKOLIK
several, a few
NKOLIKA
128
}
}
KOLIK ?
how many?
KOLIKA ?
}
}
TOLIK
so many
TOLIKA
34
NOUNS: FURTHER DECLENSIONAL GROUPS

Podstatn jmna (Substantiva): Dal deklinan skupiny
M. ANIM.
We have so far dealt with masculines ending in consonants.
Traditional Czech grammars mention as regular even two other patterns, one of them
ending in the vowel -A (pedseda), the other ending in the vowel -E (soudce).
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
chairman
pedseda
pedsedu
pedsedy
pedsedovi
pedsedovi
pedsedou
-a
-u
-y
-ovi
-ovi
-ou
pedsedov
pedsedy
pedsed
pedsedm
pedsedech
pedsedy
-ov
-y
-
-m
-ech
-y
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
judge
soudce
soudce
soudce
soudci / soudcovi
soudci / soudcovi
soudcem
-e
-e
-e
-i / -ovi
-i / -ovi
-em
soudci
soudce
soudc
soudcm
soudcch
soudci
-i
-e
-
-m
-ch
-i
Remarks on the pattern pedseda:

forms: in singular: a mixture of masculine and feminine endings
in plural: masculine hard endings (like pn)
Examples of nouns inflected according to this pattern:
common nouns
kolega, m. colleague
tta, m.
dad
starosta, m. mayor
personal first names
Jirka
Olda
Honza
surnames
pan Rika
doktor Fiala
ministr Svoboda
A relatively numerous subgroup of nouns belonging to the pattern pedseda consists of
international words ending in -ista. E.g.:
policeman
turista tourist
policista
pianista pianist
rasista racist
komunista comunist
terorista terrorist
These nouns are declined like pedseda, with one important exception:
In nominative plural, the ending in formal style is -ist , in informal style -isti.
Examples:
formal:
turist, policist, pianist, fotbalist, socialist, komunist, nacist, rasist
informal: turisti, policisti, pianisti, fotbalisti, socialisti, komunisti, nacisti, rasisti
In all the other cases the same endings as pedseda.
Remarks on the pattern soudce:
forms: the same declension as mu, with the exception of singular nominative
poradce, m. adviser, consultant
prvodce, m.
guide
www.factumcz.cz
129
NEUTER
We have intentionally simplified our previous surveys of declensions by leaving out the
pattern kue (= chicken) which has its place in traditional declension paradigms of neuters.
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
kue
kue
kuete
kueti
kueti
kuetem
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
-e
-e
-ete
-eti
-eti
-etem

zve, n. animal
tn, n. puppy
raje, n. tomato
kot, n. broom
kuata
kuata
kuat
kuatm
kuatech
kuaty
-ata
-ata
-at
-atm
-atech
-aty
kot, n. kitten
jehn, n. lamb
A very important noun belonging to this paradigm is dt (child), but in singular only !
There are special inflections in plural, and moreover,
the noun dt changes the Singular neutrum gender into feminine in plural !!!
The change of gender has consequences for adjective and pronoun forms (as well as for
past participle endings). I.e.:
Singular (neuter)
To mal dt ekalo na matku.
The little child was waiting for mother.
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
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child
dt (n.)
dt
dtte
dtti
dtti
dttem
Plural (feminine)
Ty mal dti ekaly na matku.
The little children were waiting for mother.
Here is the noun in all its forms:

children
Plural
N
dti (f. !!!)
A
dti
G
dt
D
dtem
L
dtech
I
dtmi
130
IRREGULAR PLURALS animate masculines

Two frequent nouns are worth mentioning here, both of them animate masculines:
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
man, human being

lovk
lovka
lovka
lovku
lovku
lovkem
people
lid
lidi
lid
lidem
lidech
lidmi
Singular
N
A
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
G
D
L
I
friend
ptel
ptele
ptele
pteli
pteli
ptelem
friends
ptel
ptele
ptel
ptelm
ptelch
pteli
IRREGULAR PLURALS survivals of the ancient dual number

The following four nouns (indicating pair organs) that have preserved the old dual forms:
Singular
ruka, f.
noha, f.
oko, n.
ucho, n.
hand/arm
foot/leg
eye
ear
Plural
UI, f.
RUCE, f.
nohy, f.
OI, f.
hands/arms
feet/legs
eyes
ears
Mind the change of gender: oko, n. oi , feminine; ucho, n. ui, feminine !
Singular forms are regular, but there are various special features in plural.
Singular
ruka
noha
oko
N
ruku
nohu
oko
A
ruky
nohy
oka
G
ruce
noze
oku
D
ruce
noze
oku
L
rukou
nohou
okem
I
Plural
N
ruce
nohy
oi
A
ruce
nohy
oi
G
rukou
nohou
o
D
rukm
nohm
om
L
rukou = rukch
nohou = nohch och
I
rukama
nohama
oima
The four nouns have another special feature in plural instrumental:
The ending -ma influences the preceding adjectives and pronouns:
The expected ending -mi is changed into -ma, e.g.:
Vidl jsem to svma vlastnma oima.
Neme tam jt s tma pinavma rukama.
Pes pohyboval svma dlouhma uima.
www.factumcz.cz
131
ucho
ucho
ucha
uchu
uchu
uchem
ui
ui
u
um
uch
uima
I saw it with my own eyes.

You cant go there with the dirty hands.
The dog was moving its long ears.
DECLENSION OF SOME NOUNS OF LATIN AND GREEK ORIGIN

M. INANIM. -US
Singular
rytmus
rhythm
N
rytmus
A
rytmu
G
rytmu
D
rytmu
L
rytmem
I
Plural
rytmy
N
rytmy
A
rytm
G
rytmm
D
rytmech
L
rytmy
I
NEUTER -MA
Sg.
N
A
G
D
L
I
Pl.
N
A
G
D
L
I
tma
tma
tmatu
tmatu
tmatu
tmatem
topic, theme
tmata
tmata
tmat
tmatm
tmatech
tmaty
Examples:
drama (drama)
schma (scheme, chart)
klima (climate)
Examples :
cyklus (cycle)
rasismus (racism)
komunismus (communism)
nacismus (nazism)
NEUTER -UM
-um preceded by
-um preceded by
a consonant
a vowel
Singular
datum
date
muzeum
museum
N
datum
muzeum
A
data
muzea
G
datu
muzeu
D
datu
muzeu
L
datem
muzeem
I
(The two types differ in Plural.)
Plural
data
muzea
N
data
muzea
A
dat
muze
G
datm
muzem
D
datech
muzech
L
daty
muzei
I
Examples:
centrum (centre)
album (album)
substantivum (noun)
publikum (audience)
www.factumcz.cz
Examples:
stipendium (scholarship)
stadium (stage=phase)
adverbium (adverb)
132
"PLURALIA TANTUM"
Pomnon podstatn jmna
35
There is a number of nouns that only have plural form even if they indicate a singular item
(cf. the English summation plurals, e.g. scissors, trousers). Such Czech nouns are always
combined with plural verb forms, as well as plural forms of pronouns and adjectives.
The forms of pluralia tantum are frequent even with place names, especially names of some of
the Czech towns.
Most of the nouns are feminines or inanimate masculines (consequently, without any
difference in the forms of corresponding verbs, adjectives and pronouns).
Only a few pluralia tantum are neuters.
Declension of a few chosen pluralia tantum
m. inanimate:
money
clothes, dress
name of town
part of Prague
N
penze
aty
Podbrady
Hradany
A
penze
aty
Podbrady
Hradany
G
penz
at
Podbrad
Hradan
D
penzm
atm
Podbradm
Hradanm
L
penzch
atech
Podbradech
Hradanech
I
penzi
aty
Podbrady
Hradany
Remark: penze follows the pattern stroje with the exception of the Genitive form!
aty, Podbrady, Hradany follow the pattern hrady;
feminines following the pattern eny
newspaper
clock
N
noviny
hodiny
A
noviny
hodiny
G
novin
hodin
D
novinm
hodinm
L
novinch
hodinch
I
novinami
hodinami
watch
hodinky
hodinky
hodinek
hodinkm
hodinkch
hodinkami
scissors
nky
nky
nek
nkm
nkch
nkami
trousers
kalhoty
kalhoty
kalhot
kalhotm
kalhotch
kalhotami
N
A
G
D
L
I
history
djiny
djiny
djin
djinm
djinch
djinami
school holidays
przdniny
przdniny
przdnin
przdninm
przdninch
przdninami
birthday
narozeniny
narozeniny
narozenin
narozeninm
narozeninch
narozeninami
N
A
G
D
L
I
Bohemia
echy
echy
ech
echm
echch
echami
Athens
Atny
Atny
Atn
Atnm
Atnch
Atnami
Helsinki
Helsinky
Helsinky
Helsinek
Helsinkm
Helsinkch
Helsinkami
www.factumcz.cz
133
feminines following the pattern re

door
eye-glasses
N
dvee
brle
A
dvee
brle
G
dve
brl
D
dvem
brlm
L
dvech
brlch
I
dvemi
brlemi
N
A
G
D
L
I
Pardubice
Pardubice
Pardubic
Pardubicm
Pardubicch
Pardubicemi
violin
housle
housle
housl
houslm
houslch
houslemi
spa, health resort

lzn
lzn
lzn
lznm
lznch
lznmi
names of Czech towns

Teplice
Luhaovice
Teplice
Luhaovice
Teplic
Luhaovic
Teplicm
Luhaovicm
Teplicch
Luhaovicch
Teplicemi
Luhaovicemi
The forms of Vnoce (Christmas) and Velikonoce (Easter) are best learnt by heart, without
comment.
Christmas
Easter
N
Vnoce
Velikonoce
A
Vnoce
Velikonoce
G
Vnoc
Velikonoc
D
Vnocm
Velikonocm
L
(o) Vnocch
(o) Velikonocch
I
Vnocemi = Vnoci
Velikonocemi = Velikonoci
neuters following the pattern msta
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
mouth
sta
sta
st
stm
stech
sty
back (of the human body)

zda
zda
zad
zdm
zdech
zdy
134
gate
vrata
vrata
vrat
vratm
vratech
vraty
Examples:
Kde jsou moje penze?
as jsou penze.
Mm mlo penz.
Ty m nov aty!
Byl jsi nkdy v Podbradech?
Kter esk noviny te?
To jsou dobr noviny.
Kde jsou ty druh noviny?
esk djiny jsou pro m zajmav.
Tam nahoe jsou velk hodiny. Vid je?
To nejsou tvoje hodinky?
Praha je v echch a Brno je na Morav.
Ty dvee byly oteven.
Tady jsou taky njak dvee!
Kdy tu, potebuju brle.
Jsou to vae brle?
Potebuji nov brle.
Nechte sta oteven.
Ta vrata byla zaven.
Where is my money?
Time is money.
I have little money.
You have a new dress!
Have you ever been to Podbrady?
What Czech newspaper(s) do you read?
This is good newspaper.
Where is the other newspaper?
The Czech history is interesting for me.
There is a big clock there above.- Can you
see it?
Isnt this your watch?
Prague is in Bohemia and B. is in Moravia.
The door was open.
Here is also a door!
When I read, I need eye-glasses.
Are these your eye-glasses?
I need new eye-glasses.
Keep the mouth open.
The gate was closed.
Pluralia tantum cannot use the regular cardinal numbers.

They must be combined with special forms
(called slovky druhov, the question being KOLIKERY? ):
jedny
estery
jedenctery
dvoje
sedmery
troje
osmery
tvery
devatery
patery
desatery
Examples:
Mm jen jedny hodinky.
I have only one watch.
Na stole byly troje noviny.
There are three newspapers on the table.
Pouvm dvoje brle.
I use two (pairs of) eye-glasses.
V t chodb jsou patery dvee.
There are five doors in the corridor.
www.factumcz.cz
135
THE LIST OF PREPOSITIONS

MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK
36
followed by
the case
see
chapter
Ponounced as one unit

with the following word
(= one stress only)
PRO
PES
SKRZ
MIMO
Accus.
Accus..
Accus.
Accus.
23
23
23
23
YES
YES
NO
NO
K
PROTI
NAPROTI
KVLI
Dat.
Dat.
Dat.
Dat.
30
30
30
30
YES
NO
NO
NO
PI
PO
V
NA
O
Loc.
Loc.
Loc.
Loc.
Loc.
Accus.
(Accus.)
29
29
29
29, 23
29
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NAD
POD
PED
ZA
MEZI
Instr.
Instr.
Instr.
Instr.
Instr.
Accus.
Accus.
Accus.
Accus.
Accus.
31,
31,
31,
31,
31,
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
BEZ
BHEM
DO
Z
U
OD
KROM
VEDLE
KOLEM
OKOLO
BLZKO
PODLE
MSTO
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
Gen.
www.factumcz.cz
23
23
23
23
23
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
136
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
37
BASIC SPATIAL PREPOSITIONS AND ADVERBS

Zkladn pedloky a pslovce mstnch vztah
The most frequent prepositions were introduced in connection with the relevant cases
(chapters 28 31). Yet, it may be useful to summarize the partial subsystem of prepositions
indicating spatial relations those that are often problematic for foreign users of Czech.
When referring to place, it is necessary to keep apart static and dynamic relations.
Here are the three most important concepts with the corresponding interrogative adverbs:
movement approaching
staying somewhere
movement away
KAM? (where to?)
KDE? (where?)
ODKUD? (where from?)
KAM ?
Where to ?
KDE ?
Where ?
ODKUD ?
Where from ?
DO + Gen.
V + Loc.
Z + Gen.
NA + Accus.
NA + Loc.
Z + Gen.
K + Dat.
U + Gen.
OD + Gen.
the inside of a place
contact with surface
proximity
Kam jde?
Kde jsi byl?
Where were you?
Odkud jsi piel?
Where have you come from?
Jdu do koly.
Im going to school.
Byl jsem ve kole.
I was at school.
Piel jsem ze koly.
Ive come from school.
Kam jsi dal ten slovnk?

Where did you put the dictionary?
Kde je ten slovnk?
Where is the dictionary?
Odkud jsi vzal ten slovnk?
Where did you take the dictionary from?
Dal jsem ho na stl.

I put it on(to) the table.
Ten slovnk je na stole.
The dictionary is on the table.
Vzal jsem ten slovnk ze stolu.
Ive taken the dictionary from the table.
Kam jede ten autobus?

What is the destination of the bus?
Kde na m pok?
Where will you be waiting for me?
Odkud odjd ten autobus?
Where does the bus depart from?
Ten autobus jede ke kole.

The bus goes to the school.
Pokm na tebe u koly.
Ill be waiting for you near the school.
Ten autobus odjd od koly.
The bus departs fom the school.
www.factumcz.cz
137
NOTICE: When referring to persons, the only possibility is the third line, i.e.
b
K + Dat.
bb
U + Gen.
b
OD + Gen.
...
Kam jde?
Kde jsi byl?
Where were you?
Odkud jsi piel?
Where have you come from?
Jdu k Martinovi.
Im going to (see) Martin)..
Byl jsem u Martina.
I was at Martins place.
Piel jsem od Martina.
Ive come from Martin..
A frequent mistake made by foreigners is using the prepositions of the upper line,
which may sound funny for native Czech speakers!
There are certain nouns that use the second line prepositions for indicating the
inside.
KAM ?
Where to ?
KDE ?
Where ?
ODKUD ?
Where from ?
NA + Accus..
NA + Loc.
Z + Gen.
the inside of a place
Chosen examples of nouns behaving according to this pattern:
pota
ndra
Morava
Slovensko
post office
railway station
Moravia
Slovakia
KAM?
KDE?
ODKUD?
na potu
na ndra
na Moravu
na Slovensko
na pot
na ndra
na Morav
na Slovensku
z poty
z ndra
z Moravy
ze Slovenska
This situation exists even in English where e.g. on the train refers not only to the
contact with surface, but even (and mostly) the inside
www.factumcz.cz
138
SPATIAL ADVERBS
Pslovce (=adverbia) mstnch vztah
The spatial adverbs -in the same way as spatial prepositions- keep apart the following three
concepts:
a: movement approaching ;
b: staying somewhere;
c: moving away from
movement
approaching
y
KAM ?
Where to?
SEM
stationary,
no movement
{
KDE ?
Where?
TADY
here
TAM
TAM
there
NAHORU
up(wards)
DOL
down(wards)
DOPEDU
to the front
DOZADU
to the back
NAPRAVO = DOPRAVA
to the right
NALEVO = DOLEVA
to the left
DOPROSTED
to the middle
DOVNIT
in
VEN
out
DOM
home
www.factumcz.cz
here
there
NAHOE
above
DOLE
below, down
DOPEDU
in the front
DOZADU
at the back
NAPRAVO = VPRAVO
on the left
NALEVO = VLEVO
on the right
UPROSTED
in the middle
UVNIT = VEVNIT
inside
VENKU
outside
DOMA
at home
139
movement
away from
y
ODKUD ?
Where from?
ODTUD pronunc. [otut]
from here
ODTAMTUD [otamtut]
from there
SHORA
from above
ZDOLA
from below
ZEPEDU
from the front
ZEZADU
from the back
ZPRAVA
from the right
ZLEVA
from the left
ZPROSTEDKA
from the middle
ZEVNIT
from the inside
ZVENKU
from the outside
Z DOMOVA
from home
Examples:
y
Prosm t, me sem pijt?
Kdy tam pojedete?
Nahoru jsme jeli vtahem.
Dol jsme li pky.
Me dt tu mapu dopedu.
J jsem dal to kolo dozadu.
Te budeme zahbat doprava.
A hned potom doleva.
Me dt ten stl doprosted.
Pjdeme dovnit?
Jana tady nen. la ven.
Za chvli pjdu dom.
y
Jsem v knihovn a odtud pjdu dom.
li jsme odtamtud v pl dest.
Ten lev vtah pijel shora.
Prav vtah pijel zdola.
Nevidl jsem ho zepedu.
Taxk pijel zezadu.
To erven auto pijelo zprava.
Autobus pijel zleva.
Vzal jsem ten lstek zprostedka.
Vzal jsem si to zevnit.
Piel jsem zvenku. Je tam zima.
Kdy jsi odeel z domova?
J jsem tady.
Poj sem.
www.factumcz.cz
Can you come here, please?

When will you go there?
We took the lift up.
We walked down.
You can put the map to the front.
Ive put the bike to the back.
Well turn right now.
And then immediately to the left.
You can put (place) the table in the middle.
Shall we go in?
Jane is not here. Shes gone out.
Ill go home in a while.
Im in the library, and from here Ill go home.
We went from there =We left the place at 9:30.
The lift on the left came from above.
The lift on the right came from below.
I didnt see him from the front.
The taxi arrived from the back.
The red car came from the right.
The bus came from the left.
I took the ticket from the middle.
I took it from inside.
Ive come from the outside. Its cold there.
When did you leave home?
I am here.
Come here.
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MORE ABOUT ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
Stupovn pdavnch jmen
38
In addition to the categories of gender, number and case, adjectives may even have the
category of gradation.i.e. they may be compared in three degrees, positive, comparative,
superlative, in Czech numbered or called by Latin terms, i.e.
POZITIV
KOMPARATIV
SUPERLATIV
1st degree
2nd degree
3rd degree
prvn stupe
druh stupe
tet stupe
Basic principles for using the three degrees are similar to those in English and other
languages.
Examples:
Praha je velk msto.
Prague is a large town.
POSITIVE:
velk
Praha je vt ne Brno.
COMPARATIVE: vt
Prague is larger than Brno.
Praha je nejvt esk msto. SUPERLATIVE: nejvt P. is the largest Czech city.
As well as in many other languages, even in Czech the most frequently used adjectives have
irregular comparison, and they must be learnt by heart (cf. good-better-best; bad-worseworst). For a foreign learner it may be useful to subdivide the irregular formation into
severeal parts:
part a: (substantial differences)
POSITIVE
COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
dobr
patn
velk
mal
dlouh
krtk
vysok
nzk
irok
zk
drah
blzk
lep
hor
vt
men
del
krat
vy
ni
ir
u
dra
bli
[vi]
[i]
[u]
[dra]
[bli]
nejlep
nejhor
nejvt
nejmen
nejdel
nejkrat
nejvy
nejni
nejir
neju
nejdra
nejbli
[nejvi]
[neji]
[neju]
[nejdra]
[nejbli]
translation of Positive
good
bad, wrong
large
small
long
short
high
low
broad
narrow
1:expensive; 2:dear
near
Remark: The pronunciation, if different from spelling, is introduced in brackets.

SUPERLATIVE is always formed by adding
the prefix NEJ- to the comparative.
no matter whether the comparative formation is regular or irregular.
www.factumcz.cz
141
part b: (suffix - )
POSITIVE
translation of positive
nejhez
nice, pretty
hezk
hez
nejleh
1:easy; 2:light
lehk
leh
nejten
thin
tenk
ten
Remark: There are some more adjectives belonging to this group. Our list is not exhaustive.
part c: (suffix - )
POSITIVE
COMPARATIVE
SUPERLATIVE
star
mlad
tk
bohat
chud
ist
slab
tlust
tvrd
tmav
star
mlad
t
bohat
chud
ist
slab
tlust
tvrd
tmav
nejstar
nejmlad
nejt
nejbohat
nejchud
nejist
nejslab
nejtlust
nejtvrd
nejtmav
old
young
1:difficult; 2:heavy
rich
poor
clean
weak
thick, fat
hard
dark
[te]
Consonant alternation ch
ti
[ti]
nejti
tich
jednodu [jednodu] nejjednodu
jednoduch
silent
simple
Remark: The list is not complete. There are more adjectives belonging to this group.
Most other adjectives form comparative by means of the suffix -j (-ej).
Such formation is considered as regular. The following list only presents a few examples:
part d:
(regular formation)
POSITIVE
krsn
okliv
nov
pinav
rychl
pomal
vesel
smutn
siln
lacin
krsnj
oklivj
novj
pinavj
rychlej
pomalej
veselej
smutnj
silnj
lacinj
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nejkrsnj
nejoklivj
nejnovj
nejpinavj
nejrychlej
nejpomalej
nejveselej
nejsmutnj
nejsilnj
nejlacinj
142
beautiful
ugly
new
dirty
fast, quick, rapid
slow
merry, jolly
sad
strong; stout
cheap
levnj
zajmavj
dleitj
uitenj
znmj
nejlevnj
nejzajmavj
nejdleitj
nejuitenj
nejznmj
pesn
pesnj
strun
strunj
tepl
teplej
studen
studenj
modern
modernj
Consonant alternation
-r
-ej
chytr
chytej
moudr
moudej
ostr
ostej
Conconant alternation
-ck
-tj
praktick
praktitj
teoretick
teoretitj
nejpesnj
nejstrunj
nejteplej
nejstudenj
nejmodernj
levn
zajmav
dleit
uiten
znm
cheap (same as above)

interesting
important
useful
famous, well-known,
familiar
exact
brief, concise
warm
cold
modern
nejchytej
nejmoudej
nejostej
clever
wise
sharp
nejpraktitj
nejteoretitj
practical
theoretical
The comparative and superlative forms are always inflected

like the adjective CIZ !
Remark:
The Czech equivalents of the English analytic forms
are
dleitj nejdleitj
more /most important
zajmavj nejzajmavj
more / most interesting
etc.
Even in Czech, however, analytic forms are sometimes used for less usual adjectives, e.g.:
npadn
vc npadn
nejvc npadn
conspicuous
more conspicuous
most conspicuous
side by side with
npadn
npadnj
nejnpadnj
When comparing two items, COMPARATIVE is used:
NE
Milan je mlad ne Tom.
Tenhle slovnk je dra ne tamten.
THAN
M. is younger than P.
This dictionary is more expensive than that
one.
The difference between the compared items is expressed by means of

the preposition o (+ accusative) :
mlad o dva roky
two years younger
del o ti metry
three metres longer
krat o jednu hodinu
one hour shorter
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143
Even the following constructions are worth mentioning:

MNOHEM lep
O MNOHO lep
} much better
JET lep
still better, even better
Examples:
Lenka je o ti roky mlad ne Zuzana.
Tahle cesta je o dvacet kilometr del ne
tamta.
nor je o ti dny krat ne leden.
L. is three years younger than Z.

This way is 20 km longer than that one.
February is 3 days shorter than

January.
O kolik (let) je Lenka mlad ne Zuzana?
How many years is L. younger than Z.?
O kolik kilometr je ta cesta del?
How many kilometres is the way
longer?
O kolik dn je bezen del ne duben?
How many days is March longer than
April?
Bezen je del o jeden den.
March is one day longer.
Tahle budova je o pt pater vy ne tamta. This building is 5 floors higher than that
one.
Tenhle slovnk je mnohem (= o mnoho) lep This dictionary is much better than that
ne tamten.
one.
Petr je mnohem (= o mnoho) star ne
Peter is much older than Paul.
Pavel.
Michal je velk, ale Roman je jet vt.
M. is tall, but R. is still taller.
Tohle pivo je dobr, ale tamto je jet lep.
This beer is good, but that is still better.
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144
ADVERBS FORMED FROM ADJECTIVES

Adverbia tvoen od adjektiv
39
Adverb is a word class that can be subdivided into various semantic groups, most of them
being uninflected. The adverbs of manner formed from adjectives, however, are
characterized by gradation like adjectives.
Adjectives and adverbs must be kept stictly apart (unlike in English). See the exmples:
Vae etina je velmi dobr.
Your Czech is very good.
The words dobr and good are adjectives. They refer to the noun (etina, Czech).
Mluvte esky velmi dobe.
You speak Czech very well.
The words dobe and well are adverbs. They refer to the verb (mluv, you speak).
The formal distinction between adjective and adverb is sometimes not so clear in English.
Mind the difference in Czech and in English:
To je rychl vlak.
Ten vlak jede rychle.
---
Its a fast train.

The train goes fast.
adjective
adverb
Most adverbs of manner are formed from adjectives by changing the suffix
- into - (-E).
Adjective
ADVERB
rychl
krsn
patn
vn
zajmav
jasn
strun
nebezpen
opatrn
pesn
obyejn
rychle
krsn
patn
vn
zajmav
jasn
strun
nebezpen
opatrn
pesn
obyejn
-e
dobe
chyte
-e
jednodue
tie
-ze
draze
-r
dobr
chytr
-ch
jednoduch
tich
-h
drah
-----
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145
quickly
beautifully
badly
seriously
in an interesting way
clearly
briefly
dangerously
carefully
exactly
usually
well
cleverly
simply
silently
dearly
Adjectives ending -sk, -ck, -zk form adverbs by

shortening the final vowel, i.e.:
Adjective
ADVERB
-SK
esk
slovensk
polsk
-CK
anglick
nmeck
praktick
teoretick
-ZK
hezk
-SKY
esky
slovensky
polsky
-CKY
anglicky
nmecky
prakticky
teoreticky
-ZKY
hezky
in Czech
in Slovak
in Polish
in English
in German
practically
theoretically
nicely
----
The adjectives pomal (slow), ast (frequent)

form adverbs in an irregular way:
pomal
ast
slowly
frequently, often
pomalu
asto
----
Adverbs expressing certain place relations end in -o:

Adjective
ADVERB
blzk
dalek
vysok
nzk
hlubok
blzko
daleko
vysoko
nzko
hluboko
Examples:
Jak daleko je z Prahy do Plzn?
Stanice metra je blzko.
Jak vysoko letlo to letadlo?
To letadlo letlo velmi nzko.
Ta potopen lo le hluboko v moi.
near
far
high
low
deep
How far is it from Prague to Plze?
The unedrground station is near.
How high flew the plane?
The plane flew very low.
The sunken boat lies deep in the sea.
-----
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146
Even some other adverbs may be formed by the suffix -o,

sometimes parallel to the suffix -e:
Adjective
ADVERB
lacin
drah
lehk
tk
lacino
draho
lehko
tko
= lacin
= draze
= lehce
= tce
Examples:
On to lacino koupil a draho prodal.
To se lehko ekne, ale tko udl.
cheap
dear
easily
with difficulty
He bought it cheap and sold dear.

Its easy to say but hard to do.
----
Weather conditions are often expressed by means of the following adverbs:

(Notice that the sentences have no Subject !)
Past tense: (= It was )
Its nice (weather).
Je hezky.
Bylo hezky.
Its beautiful weather.
Je krsn.
Bylo krsn.
The weather is bad.
Je oklivo.
Bylo oklivo.
Its clear weather.
Je jasno.
Bylo jasno.
Je zataeno = Je zamraeno. Its cloudy.
Bylo zataeno.
Its warm.
Je teplo.
Bylo teplo.
Its cold.
Je zima.
Bylo / byla zima.
Its dark.
Je tma.
Bylo / byla tma.
Jak je poas?
Jak je (venku)?
Whats the weather like?
Jak bylo poas?
Jak bylo?
What was the weather like?
Jak bude poas?
Jak bude?
What will the weather be like?
---
The adjective question is JAK? (jak?, jak? ).
The adverb question is JAK? (= how?)
JAK je to auto?
JAK jede to auto?
www.factumcz.cz
To auto je POMAL.
(Adj.)
To auto jede POMALU. (Adv.)
147
COMPARISON OF ADVERBS
Stupovn pslovc
40
Adverbs -as well as adjectives- are compared in three degrees, i.e. positive, comparative,
superlative.
The regular suffix for comparative is -ji (-eji)..
Superlative is formed from comparative by adding the prefix nej- .
POSITIVE
krsn
strun
pesn
jasn
rychle
pozd
pomalu
zajmav
asto
sloit
prakticky
krsnji
strunji
pesnji
jasnji
rychleji
pozdji
pomaleji
zajmavji
astji
sloitji
praktitji
nejkrsnji
nejstrunji
nejpesnji
nejjasnji
nejrychleji
nejpozdji
nejpomaleji
nejzajmavji
nejastji
nejsloitji
nejpraktitji
beautifully, more b-ly, most b-ly

briefly more b-ly, most b-ly
exactly, more e-ly, most e-ly
clearly, more c-ly, most c-ly
quickly, more q-ly, most q-ly
late, later, latest
slowly, more s-ly, most s-ly
in an interesting way
often more frequently, most f-ly
in a complicated way
in a practical way
Some of the frequently used adverbs have irregular comparison:

POSITIVE
hodn
mnoho
moc
mlo
dobe
patn
blzko
daleko
dlouho
vysoko
nzko
hluboko
brzo = brzy
COMPARATIVE
SUPERLATIVE
vce
vc
nejvce
nejvc
much, more, most
mn
lpe
he
ble
dle
dle
ve
ne
hloubji
dve
(m)
lp
h
bl
dl
((dl))
v
n
hloub
dv
nejmn
nejlpe
nejhe
nejble
nejdle
nejdle
nejve
nejne
nejhloubji
nejdve
(nejm)
nejlp
nejh
nejbl
nejdl
((nejdl))
nejv
nejn
nejhloub
nejdv
little, less, least

etc.
Remark: The two forms of comparative and superlative are equivalent in meaning, the
difference being stylistic. The forms in left-hand columns are stylistically higher, the forms
in the right-hand columns are used in less formal style,
The bracketed forms are sub-standard. They are frequently used in everyday spoken Czech,
but they are not approved by the codification of Standard Czech.
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148
Mind also the two constructions concerning both

ADJECTIVES and ADVERBS:
M + Comparative - TM + Comparative
the - the
Examples:
m dv pijde, tm lep msto
dostane.
m vc, tm lp.
m pomaleji mluv, tm lp rozumm.
The earlier you come, the better place you

get.
The more, the better.
The more slowly you speak, the better I
understand.
m je lovk star, tm je opatrnj. The older man is, the more careful (man is).
m vc tu esk noviny, tm vc
The more I read Cz. newspapers, the more I
rozumm.
understand.
m je lto bli, tm jsou dny del.
The nearer summer is, the longer the days.
m rychleji jdeme, tm dv tam
The faster we go, the sooner shall we get
budeme.
there.
m astji to opakuje, tm je to
The more frequently you repeat it, the clearer
jasnj.
it is.
M DL, TM VC
more and more
Lb se mi to m dl tm vc.
Im getting to like it more and more.
Na podzim jsou dny m dl tm krat. The days in autumn are shorter and shorter.
Tvoje vslovnost je m dl tm lep.
Your pronunciation is getting better and
better.
Ceny jsou m dl tm vy.
The prices are getting higher and higher.
Ta gramatika je m dl tm leh.
The grammar is getting easier and easier.
CO + SUPERLATIVE
CO NEJVC
CO NEJDV
CO NEJLEP
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE
Examples:
Vrtm se co nejdv.
eknu to co nejstrunji.
Chtl bych bydlet co nejbl.
Snam se najt co nejleh pklad.
Chci o nm vdt co nejvc.
Musm to udlat co nejrychleji.
Chtl bych se dnes dostat co nejdl.
Zstaneme tam co nejdle.
www.factumcz.cz
Ill be back as soon as possible.

Ill say it as briefly as possible.
Id like to live as near as possible.
Im trying to find the easiest example.
I want to know as much as possible about him.
I must do it as quickly as possible.
Id like to get as far as possible today.
Well stay there as long as possible.
149
NOMINAL FORMS OF ADJECTIVES

Jmenn tvary adjektiv
41
A limited number of adjectives have even short (= nominal) forms. They can only be
used in the predicative function (never as an attribute) and belong mostly to the bookish
expressions. Only a few of them are used in neutral everyday style.
Their grammatical endings are identical with those of
verbal past participle (see chapter 14),
as well as passive participle (see chapter 48) , i.e.
Sg.
Pl.
m. anim.
m.inanim.
f.
n.
-I
-Y
-A
-Y
-O
-A
Among those adjectives that do have the short forms belong e.g..
(First we mention the normal form, then the short form, both of them in singular masc.)
zdrav zdrv
nemocn nemocen mlad mld
star str
healthy
ill, sick
young
old
iv iv
mrtv mrtev
spokojen spokojen astn asten
alive
dead
satisfied
happy
unaven - unaven
neptomn - neptomen
tired
absent
Adam je unaven.
Eva je unavena.
To dt je unaveno.
My vichni jsme unaveni.
Dti jsou unaveny.
Adam is tired.
Eve is tired
The child is tired
We all are tired.
The children are tired.
To unaven dt usnulo.
To dt je unaveno. (short form)
= To dt je unaven. (normal adjective)
attribute
predicate
The tired child fell asleep.

The child is tired.
In living speech, the use such of nominal forms is limited to several fixed constructions.
Examples:
J jsem s tm vsledkem spokojen
Im satisfied with the result.
My jsme taky spokojeni.
We are satisfied too.
Je nkdo ochoten mi pomoct?
Is anybody willing to help me?
Jsem si jist, e Petr zase pijde pozd.
Im sure that Peter will be late again.
J si tak jista nejsem.
I am not so sure. (fem. speaker)
Jsem zvdav, co se stane te.
I wonder what will happen now.
Kolik jsme vm dluni?
How much do we owe you?
Jste jet ochotni pokraovat?
Are you still wiling to continue?
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150
The constructions with RD

Konstrukce se slovem RD
42
The word RD is rated to short (= nominal) adjectives

without having a normal adjectival counterpart
sg.
pl.
m.anim.
RD
RDI
m.inanim.
RD
RDY
f.
RDA
RDY
n.
RDO
RDA
It is used in the following constructions:

a: bt rd
i.e. the form of the verb bt in combination with the appropriate form of the adjective,
followed by a conjunction (mostly starting with the conjunction E),
corresponding to the English to be glad, to be pleased, to be delighted
Jsem rd(a), e vs vidm.
Jsem rda, e vs vidm.
Jsme rdi, e vs vidme.
Budeme rdi, jestli pijdete.
Petr je rd, e tady me zstat.
Zuzana byla moc rda, kdy to slyela.
Jsem rd(a), e se vm to lb.
Byli jsme rdi, e jsme tam nemuseli jt.
Jsme rdi, e meme mluvit esky.
Jsem rd(a), e mme stejn nzor.
Jsem rd(a), e jsem doma.
Jsme rdi, e s nmi souhlaste.
Urit jste rdi, e jste zase doma.
Im glad to see you. male speaker

Im glad to see you. female speaker
We are glad to see you.
Well be glad if you come.
Peter is glad that he can stay here.
Susanne was very glad when she heard it.
Im glad that you like it.
We were glad that we didnt have to go there.
We are glad that we can speak Czech.
Im glad that we are of the same opinion.
Im glad to be at home.
We are glad that you agree with us.
You are surely glad to be at home again.
b: mt rd
i.e. the form of the verb mt in combination with the appropriate form of the adjective,
followed by accusative,
corresponding to the English to like something
Mm rd modrou barvu.
Mm rda modrou barvu.
Mme rdi modrou barvu.
Ve kole jsem ml rd matematiku.
Ve kole jsem mla rda matematiku.
Ve kole jsme mli rdi matematiku.
Mm rd(a) lto.
Jana m rda star esk filmy.
Tom m rd svoji prci.
Mme rdi eskou gramatiku.
Mte rd/rda/rdi klasickou hudbu?
www.factumcz.cz
I like blue colour.

male speaker
I like blue colour
female speaker
We like blue colour.
I liked mathematics at school. male
I liked mathematics at school. female
We liked mathematics at school.
I like summer.
Jane likes (to see) old Czech films.
Thomas likes his job.
We like Czech grammar.
Do you like classical music?
151
The meaning of this construction is similar to the verb lbit se, though mt rd may be felt as
stronger.
Lb se mi modr barva.
I like blue colour.
Mm rd(a) modrou barvu.
I like blue colour.
a stronger feeling
Lbila se mi matematika.
I liked mathematics.
Ml(a) jsem rd(a) matematiku.
I liked mathematics. a stronger feeling
Lb se mi tahle hudba.
I like this music.
Mm rd(a) tuhle hudbu.
I like this music.
a stronger feeling
Lb se nm Praha.
We like Prague.
Mme rdi Prahu.
We like Prague.
a stronger feeling
Lence se lb ten herec.
Lenka likes the actor.
Lenka m rda toho herce.
Lenka likes the actor. (may be even loves)
Mm t rd(a). (= Miluju t.)
I love you. !!!
c: RD + other verbs (in appropriate forms),
corresponding to the English to like to do sth.
Rd se um eskou gramatiku.
= Um se rd eskou gramatiku.
Rda se um eskou gramatiku.
= Um se rda eskou gramatiku.
Rdi se ume eskou gramatiku.
= Ume se rdi eskou gramatiku.
Rd(a) chodm do divadla.
= Chodm rd(a) do divadla.
V lt rdi jezdme k moi.
Eva rda zpv.
Petr rd lyuje.
Rdi vm pomeme.
On si rd dl legraci z jinch lid.
Rd bych to vidl.
Rda bych to vidla.
Rdi bychom to vidli.
I like to learn Czech grammar.
male
I like to learn Czech grammar.
female
We like to learn Czech grammar.

I like going to the theatre.
We like going to the seaside in summer.
Eve likes singing.
Peter likes to go skiing.
Well be glad to help you.
He likes to make fun of other people.
Id like to see it.
the same female speaker
Wed like to see it.
d: The marginal idiomatic construction

Rdo se stalo
is sometimes used as a response to thanks.
E.g.:
Dkujeme za vai pomoc.
Rdo se stalo.
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Thank you for your help.

Welcome.
152
IN NEGATION, the prefix ne- may be connected either with the forms of the verb, or
with the forms of rd. (In the latter case, the vowel is shortened: nerad , nerada, neradi. )
Jsem nerad(a), e se to stalo.
= Nejsem rd(a), e se to stalo.
Nemm rd(a) zimu.
Nikdo ho nem rd.
Nerad(a) o tom mluvm.
Neradi o tom mluvme.
Nemluvme o tom rdi.
Nerad(a) jezdm autobusem.
= Nejezdm rd(a) autobusem.
Nerad(a) si pjuji penze.
Neradi si pjujeme penze.
Im not glad that it happened.

(I feel sorry that it happened.)
I dont like (=I dislike) winter .
Nobody likes him.
I dislike (hate) talking about it.
We dislike (hate) talking about it.
We dont like to talk about it.
I dont like going by bus.
I hate borrowing money.
We hate borrowing money.
COMPARISON (Stupovn)
COMPARATIVE:
RADI = RADJI
Radi (= radji) bych zstal(a) doma.
Mm radi (= radji) lto ne zimu.
Radi (= radji) o tom nebudeme mluvit.
Chcete radi (= radji) kvu nebo aj?
I prefer Id rather
Id rather stay at home.
I prefer summer to winter.
Wed rather not to talk about it.
Will you have rather coffee or tea?
SUPERLATIVE:
NEJRADI = NEJRADJI
V lt nejradi (= nejradji) jezdm
do ciziny.
Kterou barvu m nejradi (= nejradji)?
(Kter je tvoje oblben barva?)
On se nejradi (= nejradji) dv na televizi.
Nejradi (= nejradji) bych zstal doma.
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I like best
I like best to travel abroad in summer.
What colour do you like best?
(What is your favourite colour?)
He likes best watching TV.
Id like best to stay at home.
153
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE
Pdavn jmno pivlastovac
43
The function of possessive adjectives is similar to the English Saxon Genitive.

They are used in attributive function, competing with the genitive of nouns.
There are three conditions for using a possessive adjective:
- It can only refer to a person (never to a thing or phenomenon).
- The person must be determined
(either well-known generally, or at least for the speaker and the listener).
- The person must be indicated by one word only (never two or more words).
Unlike genitive, the possessive adjective is placed before the determined noun.
muzeum Bedicha Smetany (genitive)
Smetanovo muzeum (possess.adj.)
GENITIVE
(two words)
(one word)
Bedich Smetanas Museum

Smetanas Museum
Other examples:
POSSESS. ADJ.
dm Milana Pospila
kancel pana editele
hlas toho zpvka
otzka toho novine
nzor Martina Ke
cesta americkho prezidenta
romny Karla apka
Hamlet Williama Shakespeara
hry Vclava Havla
Milanv dm
editelova kancel
zpvkv hlas
novinova otzka
Martinv nzor
prezidentova cesta
apkovy romny
Shakespearv Hamlet
Havlovy hry
Milans house
the directors office
the singers voice
the journalists question
Martins opinion
presidents journey
apeks novels
Shakespeares Hamlet
Havels plays
Possessive adjective is used in certain fixed collocations.

Examples:
Nobelova cena
Nobel prize
Einsteinova teorie relativity
Einsteins theory of relativity
Newtonovy zkony
Newtons laws
Eiffelova v
the Eiffel tower
Karlova univerzita
Charles university (in Prague)
Ohmv zkon
Ohms law
Possessive adjective is frequent in names of streets, places, bridges, etc.
Genitive
ulice Jana Nerudy
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POSSES. ADJ.
=
Nerudova ulice
Masarykovo ndra
Karlv most
154
N. street
M. station (in Prague)
Charles bridge (in Prague)
Declension of possessive adjectives:
male possessor
m. anim..
Singular:
N
A
G
D
L
I
Adamv
Adamova
Plural:
N
A
G
D
L
I
Adamovi
Adamovy
female possessor
m. anim..
Singular:
N
Evin
A
Evina
G
D
L
I
Plural:
N
A
G
D
L
I
Evini
Eviny
m. inanim.
n.
f.
Adamovo
Adamovo
Adamova
Adamovu
Adamovy
Adamov
Adamov
Adamovou
Adamovy
Adamova
Adamovy
Adamova
Adamovch
Adamovm
Adamovch
Adamovmi
Adamovy
Adamovy
Adamv
Adamv
Adamova
Adamovu
Adamov
Adamovm
m. inanim..
n.
f.
Evin
Evin
Evina
Evinu
Evin
Evinm
Evino
Evino
Evina
Evinu
Eviny
Evin
Evin
Evinou
Eviny
Eviny
Evina
Evina
Eviny
Eviny
Evinch
Evinm
Evinch
Evinmi
Consonant alternations for female possessors:

-ka
-ra
-ga
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-in
-in
-in
Lenka
Petra
Olga
155
Lenin
Petin
Olin
Examples of possessive adjectives:

(Different number, gender and case are presented.)
Number: Sg. Pl.
Gender: m.,f.,n.
Case: N, A, G, L, D, I
Posssessor: Karel ( = king Karel IV. , 1346-1378)
Karlv most byl postaven ve trnctm stolet.
Filozofick fakulta je blzko Karlova mostu.
Na Karlov most je vdycky hodn zahraninch turist.
Pod Karlovm mostem je znm ostrov Kampa.
Karlova univerzita byla zaloena roku 1348.
Karlovu univerzitu zaloil krl Karel IV.
Kter fakulty jsou na Karlov univerzit?
Mte njakou kontakty s Karlovou univerzitou?
Karlovo nmst nen daleko od Vclavskho nmst.
Prosm vs, jak se dostanu na Karlovo nmst?
Ten obchod je blzko Karlova nmst.
Ta budova je na Karlov nmst.
Te pijdme ke Karlovu nmst.
Divadlo ABC je mezi Karlovm nmstm a Vclavskm nmstm.
Jedno z nejznmjch eskch mst jsou Karlovy Vary.
Pt tden pojedu do Karlovch Var.
Ty jsi jet nebyl v Karlovch Varech?
Sg.m.N
Sg.m.G
Sg.m.L
Sg.m.I
Sg.f.N
Sg.f.A
Sg.f.L
Sg.f.I
Sg.n.N
Sg.n.A
Sg.n.G
Sg.n.L
Sg.n.D
Sg.n.I
Pl.N
Pl.G
Pl.L
Possessor: apek ( = the writer Karel apek, 1890-1938)

apkv romn Krakatit se hrl v Nrodnm divadle.
apkova Vlka s mloky byla peloena do rznch jazyk.
Hlavn postava apkovy hry Vc Makropulos je zpvaka Emila
Marty.
Leo Janek pouil apkovu hru jako libreto pro svoji operu.
etl jsem to nkde v apkovch povdkch.
etl jsi apkovy Hovory TGM ?
Sg.f.A
Pl.L
Pl.A
Possessor: Babika (=Grandmother

novel by Boena Nmcov - 1855)
Blzko msta Nchod je znm Babiino dol.
U jsi byl v Babiin dol?
Sg.n.N
Sg.n.L
Possessor: Masaryk (= president T.G.Masaryk,1850-1937)

Vlak odjd z Masarykova ndra v 10:03.
Kter tramvaj jezd k Masarykovu ndra?
Potkali jsme se na Masarykov ndra.
Po Masarykov abdikaci v roce 1935 se stal druhm eskoslovenskm
prezidentem Edvard Bene.
Kdo je rektorem Masarykovy univerzity v Brn?
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156
Sg.m.N
Sg.f.N
Sg.f.G
Sg.n.G
Sg.n.D
Sg.n.L
Sg.f.L
Sg.f.G
Other examples:
Musm koupit nco pro Petrovy dti.
I must buy sth. for Peters children
Po Olin smrti se Vclav Havel znovu

oenil.
Vclav Havel remarried after Olgas

death.
Nael jsem to v sestin pokoji.
I found it in my sisters room.
Topolnkova vlda mla hodn problm. Ts cabinet had lots of problems.

Pojedeme Martinovm autem.
We will go by Martins car.
Maj rdi Jankovy opery.
They like Janeks operas.
Adam ochutnal Evino jablko.
Adam tasted Eves apple.
Hillary Clintonov se stala ministryn

zahrani v Obamov vld.
Hilary Clinton became foreign

secretary in Obamas adminstration.
V Shakespearovch hrch pod

nachzm nco novho.
I always find something new in

Shakespeares plays.
Setkal jsem se tam s editelovmi poradci. I met the managers advisors there.
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FURTHER VERBAL CATEGORIES
44
IMPERATIVE
Imperativ = Rozkazovac zpsob
There are three verb moods in Czech:

Indicative (indikativ = oznamovac zpsob),
Imperative (imperativ = rozkazovac zpsob),
Conditional (kondicionl = podmiovac zpsob).
Imperative is used when requesting (commanding, asking) someone to do something.
In English, the request form is identical with the basic form of a verb, e.g.:
Come here! Translate the sentence! Say it once more! Stay here!
Open the window!
In Czech -as well as in many other languages- the imperative has special forms of its own.
Besides that, it is necessary to distinguish between the forms for ty and those for vy.
E.g.:
Mluv pomalu! (ty)
Mluvte pomalu! (vy)
Speak slowly!
Moreover, there is also a form for the 1st person plural (my), corresponding to the English
construction lets , i.e.:
Mluvme pomalu!
Lets speak slowly.
It differs from the vy form only by using the ending -ME instead of -TE.
Its occurence in practice, however, is not so frequent.
Remark:
Like in other languages, the imperative can often be replaced by other constructions,
mostly using modal verbs either in the indicative or in the conditional mood, e.g.:
Mete mluvit pomalu? (Can you speak slowly)?
Mohl byste mluvit pomalu? (Could you speak slowly?),
which can even sound more polite, both in English and in Czech.
For the sake of politeness, the verb prosm (please) may be added to the imperative.
(The exclamation mark on these pages aims at highlighting the grammatical form.
This might be felt as a very strong command in practice, sounding rather impolite.)
When forming the imperative, its necessary to start from
the indicative form of 3rd person plural, i.e.
(oni) mluv, dlaj, rozumj, pracuj, tou, pou, etc.
First, detach the final - or -ou
(nothing more! i.e.: not the complete ending -aj, -ej, -uj, but just - or -ou ! )
What remains, can be considered imperative basis (which is a hypothetical form only).
The imperative basis may have (a) one consonant at the end
(b) two consonants at the end
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158
In type (a)
the Imperative basis is identical with the real imperative addressing ty,
and the suffix -TE is added for imperative addressing vy
(the suffix -ME for the 1st person plural).
Examples:
type (a):
Imper. basis Imper. ty Imper. vy
(oni) mluv
(oni) pelo
(oni) pinesou
mluv
pelo
pines
for the 1st person plural:

MLUVME ! PELOME !
MLUV !
PELO !
PINES !
PINESME !
MLUVTE !
PELOTE !
PINESTE !
lets speak, lets translate, lets bring
In type (b)
its necessary to add the suffix -I for imperative addresing ty,
the suffix -TE /-ETE for imperative addressing vy
(the suffix -ME/-EME for the 1st person plural).
Examples:
type (b):
(hypothetical
form only )
(oni) eknou
ekn
EKNI !
EKNTE !
(oni) polou
pol
POLI !
POLETE !
(oni) vysvtl
vysvtl
VYSVTLI !
VYSVTLETE !
EKNME ! POLEME !
VYSVTLEME !
speak!
translate !
bring!
say !
send !
explain !
lets say, lets send, lets explain
Additional rule (belonging to the type a):

A regularly occuring change concerns the verbs ending -AJ in 3rd person plural. In the
imperative there is the vowel alternation AJ EJ :
(The number of such verbs amounts to hundreds.)
(oni) dlaj
(oni) pokaj
(oni) se zeptaj
etc.
dlej
pokej
zeptej

DLEJME ! POKEJME !
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DLEJ!
POKEJ !
ZEPTEJ SE !
ZEPTEJME SE !
159
DLEJTE !
POKEJTE !
ZEPTEJTE SE !
do !
wait !
ask !
letdoy, lets wait, lets ask
Other changes:
--------- The stem diphthong -ou- is changed into -u- : (The number of verbs is relatively low.)
Imper. ty
Imper. vy
(oni) koup
buy !
KUPTE !
-ou- -u- KUP !
(oni) nastoup
get on !
NASTUP !
NASTUPTE !
(oni) vystoup
get off !
VYSTUP !
VYSTUPTE !
(oni) pestoup
change (tram) !
PESTUP !
PESTUPTE !
(oni) nekou
dont smoke !
NEKU !
NEKUTE !
--------- Long stem vowel is usually shortened: (The number of verbs is relatively low.)
Imper. ty
Imper. vy
(oni) pou
-- -i- PI !
PITE !
(oni) napou
NAPI !
NAPITE !
(oni) se vrt
VRATE SE !
-- -a- VRA SE !
--------- Other stem vowel changes: (limited number of verbs )
Imper. ty
Imper. vy
write !
write !
come back !
(oni) stoj
stand ! stop !
-o- -- STJ !
STJTE !
--------- The final consonant -n is usually changed into - : (limited number of verbs)
Imper. ty
Imper. vy
(oni) zstanou
-n -
(oni) prominou
(oni)si vzpomenou
ZSTA !
PROMI !
VZPOME SI !
ZSTATE !
PROMITE !
VZPOMETE SI !
stay !
excuse !
remember!
(= recall !)
--------- The final consonant -d (pronounced [d]) is changed into -z :

(limited number of verbs)
Imper. ty
Imper. vy
(oni) odpovd
-d [d] - z ODPOVZ
answer !
ODPOVZTE
(oni) jed
eat !
JEZ
JEZTE
--------- The verbs bt (to be) and pomoct (to help) have irregular Imperative forms:
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Imper. ty
Imper. vy
BU
POMOZ
BUTE
POMOZTE
160
be !
help !
Verb aspect in the imperative:
There is no difference between imperfective (= nedokonav) and perfective (= dokonav)

verbs, as far as the forms are concerned.
There is, however, an important difference in their meaning:
The imperfective (= nedokonav) imperatives refer mostly to the general,
while the perfective (= dokonav) imperatives refer mostly to the particular.
(Remark: Deviations can occur according to context and situation.)
Imperfective verb
(nedokonav)
Perfective verb
(dokonav):
PROSM ZAVREJTE DVEE.
PROSM ZAVETE
DVEE .
Close the door please.

Close the door please .
(meant as a general request- e.g.
(immediate request at the
written as a notice on the door)
particular occasion)
In negative imperative, however, the aspect distinction is neutralized,
and it is only the imperfective verb that is used in negative requests,
no matter whether general situation or particular occasion is meant. I.e.:
Imperfective verb
(nedokonav)
NEZAVREJTE DVEE .
Dont close the door.
(meant both in general and
at the particular occasion)
Examples:
usually, repeatedly
now, at the particular occasion
affirmative tte esk noviny.

Pette tu vtu.
Read Czech newspapers.
Read this sentence.
negative
Nette noviny. Nette tu vtu.
Dont read newspapers. Dont read this sentence.
affirmative Zkouejte to kad den.
Zkuste to jet jednou.
Try it every day.
Try it once more.
negative
Nikdy to sm nezkouejte. Te to nezkouejte.
Never try it alone . Dont try it now.
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161
Imperative of the motion verbs:
If these verbs they are meant as the English come (come here, come along with me), they
make a dictinction between immediately, now on the one hand,
and later, some time in the future on the other hand, as the following chart tries to show:
English: COME !
now
walking, on foot
POJ!
later on
POJTE
PIJ ! PIJTE !
*
* The forms
are pronounced
POJE ! POJETE !
PIJE ! PIJETE !
POJ
POJTE
PIJ
PIJTE
[po ]
[pote ]
[pi ]
[pite ]
If they correspond to the English go !, the distinction now later disappears:

English: GO !
walking, on foot
JDI ! JDTE !
JE ! JETE !
The situation in negative requests is illustrated in the following chart:

walking, on foot
NECHO ! NECHOTE !
dont go / dont come (walking)
NEJEZDI ! NEJEZDTE !
dont go / dont come (by car )
Examples:
Poj(te) sem.
Poj(te) se mnou.
Poje(te) se mnou.
Pij(te) ztra.
Pije(te) k nm v sobotu.
Jdi / jdte dom.
Je(te) tramvaj.
Necho(te) sem.
Necho(te) tam.
Nejezdi / nejezdte sem.
Nejezdi / nejezdte tam.
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Come here. (now, walking)

Come (along) with me.
Come with me. (by car/train ) (= Join me.)
Come tomorrow. (walking)
Come to us on Saturday. (by car/train )
Go home. (walking)
Take a tram.
Dont come here. (walking)
Dont go there. (walking)
Dont come here. (by car/train )
Dont go there. (by car/train )
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CONDITIONAL
Kondicionl = Podmiovac zpsob
45
The Conditional verb mood corresponds to the English constructions with would.
j
j
ty
ty
on
ona
ono
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
BYCH
BYCH
BYS
BYS
BY
BY
BY
BYCHOM
BYSTE
BY
BY
BY
el
la
el
la
el
la
lo
li
li
li
ly
la
I would go
I would go
you would go
you would go
he would go
she would go
it would go
we would go
you would go
they would go
they would go
they would go
male speaker
female speaker
male person addressed tykn
female person addressed tykn
m.anim.
m.inanim.+ f.
n.
vy
vy
BYSTE
BYSTE
el
la
you would go
you would go
one male person vykn

one female person vykn
Word order: The forms BYCH, BYS, BY, BYCHOM, BYSTE, BY are always placed after the
first nominal or adverbial group, i.e. they always occupy the second place (in the same way
as the auxiliary verbs jsem, jsi, jsme, jste in the past tense indicative):
1
j
ty
on
ona
ono
my
vy
oni
ony
ona
2
BYCH
BYS
BY
BY
BY
BYCHOM
BYSTE
BY
BY
BY
3
el / la
el / la
el
la
lo
li
li
li
ly
la
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1
el / la
el / la
el
la
lo
li
li
li
ly
la
vy
BYSTE
el / la
el / la BYSTE
2
BYCH
BYCH
BY
BY
BY
BYCHOM
BYSTE
BY
BY
BY
Even in combination with reflexive pronouns, personal pronouns in Accusative, and adverb
tam, the conditional forms follow the same word order rules as the auxiliary verb.
See the examples below.
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163
1
J
Bl
Ty
Nepoznal
On
Sml
Ona
Neekla
My
li
Kdy
Podvali
Oni
Chtli
J
Vrtila
3 .
2
A
BYCH
BYCH
BYS
BYS
BY
BY
BY
BY
BYCHOM
BYCHOM
BYSTE
BYSTE
BY
BY
BYCH
BYCH
D
bl.
SE
SE.
nepoznal.
HO
HO.
sml.
SE
SE.
neekla.
TO
TO.
TAM
TAM.
SE
SE
podvali?
NA TO
NA TO ?
T
T
SE
SE
li.
TAM
TAM.
chtli vidt.
vidt.
vrtila.
Translation of the above mentioned sentences:

J bych se bl.
Bl bych se.
Ty bys ho nepoznal.
Nepoznal bys ho.
On by se sml.
Sml by se.
Ona by to neekla.
Neekla by to.
My bychom tam li.
li bychom tam.
Kdy byste se na to podvali?
Podvali byste se na to?
Oni by t chtli vidt.
Chtli by t vidt.
J bych se tam vrtila.
Vrtila bych se tam.
} I would be afraid.
} You wouldnt recognize him.
} He would laugh.
} She wouldnt say that.
} We would go there.
When would you have a look at it?
Would you have a look at it?
} They would like to see you.

} I would return there. (female speaker)
REFLEXIVE VERBS Conditional in 2nd person singular:

The regularly expected combinations bys se, bys si are changed into BY SES, BY SIS.
E.g.:
Ty by ses sml.
You would laugh.
Sml by ses.
What would you wish?
Co by sis pl?
I.e. the same forms SES, SIS as in the past tense indicative.
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Examples:
INDICATIVE
CONDITIONAL
To je chyba.
Its a mistake
It would be a mistake.
To by byla chyba.
Chcete nco ct?
Do you want to say anything?
Would you like to say anything?
Chtl byste nco ct?
Moji kamardi ti pomou.
My friends will help you.
Nkte moji kamardi by ti pomohli. Some of my friends would help you.
Chceme to vdt.
We want to know it.
We would like to know it.
Chtli bychom to vdt.
Jeho manelka to neudl.
His wife will not do it.
His wife wouldnt do it.
Jeho manelka by to neudlala.
Mus pijt vas.
You must arrive in time.
You should have to arrive in time.
Musel bys pijt vas.
Jak se ta kniha jmenuje?
Whats the name of the book?
What would be the name of the book?
Jak by se ta kniha jmenovala?
Sejdeme se ped domem.
Well meet in front of the house.
Wed meet in front of the house tomorrow.
Ztra bychom se seli ped domem.
Jedeme autem.
We go by car.
We would go by car.
Jeli bychom autem.
My tam nejdeme.
We dont go there.
We wouldnt go there.
My bychom tam neli.
Nkter firmy se toho neboj. Some companies are not afraid of it.
Some companies wouldnt be afraid of it.
Nkter firmy by se toho nebly.
To trv moc dlouho
It takes too much time.
It would take too much time.
To by trvalo moc dlouho.
To je moc drah.
Its too expensive.
It would be too expensive
To by bylo moc drah.
V kolik hodin se vrt?
What time will you come back?
What time would you come back?
V kolik hodin by ses vrtil?
Tamti studenti t nesly.
Those students cant hear you.
Those students wouldnt hear you.
Tamti studenti by t neslyeli.
Mu mu to ct?
May I tell him that?
Could I tell him that?
Mohl bych mu to ct?
Co si pejete?
What do you wish?
What would you wish?
Co byste si pl/pla/pli?
Nikdo tomu nerozum.
Nobody understands it.
Nobody would understand it.
Nikdo by tomu nerozuml.
Jak se tam dostane?
How will you get there?
How would you get there?
Jak by ses tam dostal?
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CONDITIONAL CLAUSES :
The Czech counterpart to the English conjunction if in conditional clauses is KDYBY

The conjunction KDYBY has a special feature it has verbal inflection
(= it is conjugated):
(j)
(ty)
(on, ona, ono)
(my)
KDYBYCHOM
(vy)
KDYBYSTE
(oni, ony, ona) KDYBY
KDYBYCH
KDYBYS
KDYBY
The conjunction is followed by past participle (in the same way as it is in English).
Examples:
Kdybych ml penze, koupil bych si nov auto.
If I had money, I would buy a new car. (male speaker)
Kdybych mla as, udlala bych to hned.
If I had time, I would do it immediately.(female speaker)
Kdybys bydlel v Praze, vidli bychom se kad den.
If you lived in P., we would see each other every day.
Kdyby byl doma, byla by oteven okna.
If he were at home, the windows would be open.
Kdybychom to vdli, tak bychom se neptali.
If we knew it, we wouldnt ask.
Kdybyste byli tady, vidli byste zajmavou vc.
If you were here, youd see an interesting thing.
Kdyby to hledali, nali by to.
If they were looking for it, they would find it.
In the above mentioned examples, the condition is unreal, both in Czech and in English
Kdybych ml penze
Kdybych mla as
Kdybys bydlel v Praze..
Kdyby byl doma
Kdybychom to vdli
Kdybyste byli tady
Kdyby to hledali
www.factumcz.cz
If I had money
If I had time
If you lived in P.
If he were at home
If we knew it
If you were here
If they were looking for it
166
the reality is:

I dont have money
I havent got any time.
You dont live in Prague.
He isnt at home.
We dont know it.
You are not here.
They are not looking for it.
The condition neednt be absolutely unreal. It can often be a hypothetical statement:

(The English translation may either be the conditional mood, or various other constructions,
such as: In case If you should etc.)
Kdybych to neuml peloit, zeptm se t.
In case I cant translate it, Ill ask you.
Kdybys nco poteboval, me mi zavolat.
In case you need sth., you can ring me up.
Kdyby prelo, vzal bych si detnk.
If it should rain, Id take an umbrella.
Kdybychom ztra nemohli pijt, zavolme vm.
If we cant come tomorrow, well ring you up.
Kdybyste nemu nerozumli, mete se m zeptat.
In case there is sth. you dont understand, you can ask me.
Kdyby pili apkovi, poproste je, aby na m pokali.
If the apek family should come, ask them to wait for me..
USEFUL CONSTRUCTIONS:
CHTL(A) BYCH + Infinitive
= RD(A) BYCH + Past Part.
Id like to
Chtl(a) bych to vidt.
Rd(a) bych to vidl(a).

Id like to see it.
Chtl(a) bych zstat tady.
Rd(a) bych zstal(a) tady.
Id like to stay here.
Chtl(a) bych jt dom.
Rd(a) bych el/la dom.
Id like to go home.
Chtli bychom mluvit s Markem.
Rdi bych mluvili s Markem.
Wed like to talk to Mark.
Chtli bychom se vs na nco
Rdi bychom se vs na nco zeptali.
zeptat.
Wed like to ask you a question.
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167
46
THE CONDITIONAL CONJUNCTION JESTLI, JESTLIE

Podmnkov spojka JESTLI, JESTLIE
The Czech equivalent of the English conditional conjunction IF may be either the inflected
conjunction KDYBY (see chapter 45, Conditional),
or JESTLI = JESTLIE
The conjunction JESTLI = JESTLIE is used in open conditions (usually connected
with the indicative mood.)
Examples:
1
Jestli(e) mte s pstrojem njak

problmy, porate se s vrobcem.
2 Jestli(e) u nejsou dn otzky, konm
svoji pednku a dkuji vm za
pozornost.
3 Jestli(e) vechno pjde podle naich
pln, bude ta prce hotov pt tden.
4 Jestli(e) existuje njak podezen,
obrtme se na policii..
5 Jestli(e) si pejete dal informace, rdi
vs navtvme.
6 Jestli(e) se sejdou prezidenti, bude to
uiten pro ob zem.
7 Jestli(e) s nimi budete mluvit, mete
jim laskav vydit mj vzkaz.
8 Jestli(e) se najde njak lep een,
meme o tom diskutovat.
9 Jestli(e) jste dostal n mail, je vm
zejm situace jasn.
10 Jestli(e) se vm to hod, meme se
setkat ztra v devt u m.
If you have any problems with the device,

consult the manufacturer.
If there are no more questions, I finish my
lecture and thank you for your attention.
If everything goes according to our plans,
the work will be finished next week.
If there is any suspition, well contact the
police.
If you wish any further information, well
be glad to visit you.
If the presidents meet, it will be useful for
the two countries.
If you speek to them, you can kindly
deliver my message to them.
If a better solution is found, we can
discuss it
If you have received our e-mail, the
situation is obviously clear to you.
If it suits you, we can meet at my place
tomorrow at five.
There is no semantic difference between the two forms. Stylistically, the conjunction
JESTLIE is usually felt more formal than JESTLI.
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168
THE POSTPOSITIONED CONDITIONAL CONJUNCTION LI

Postponovan podmnkov spojka LI
In bookish style the postpositioned conjunction -LI (connected by a hyphen to the finite
verb) occurs with exactly same meaning as the conjuctions JESTLIE and JESTLI, the
differrence being purely stylistic.
See examples of the same sentences:
1
Mte-li s pstrojem njak problmy,

porate se s vrobcem.
Nejsou-li u dn otzky, konm svoji
pednku a dkuji vm za pozornost.
Jestli(e) mte s pstrojem njak

problmy, porate se s vrobcem.
2
Jestli(e) u nejsou dn otzky, konm
svoji pednku a dkuji vm za
pozornost.
3 Pjde-li vechno podle naich pln, bude Jestli(e) vechno pjde podle naich
ta prce hotov pt tden.
pln, bude ta prce hotov pt tden.
4 Existuje-li njak podezen, obrtme se Jestli(e) existuje njak podezen,
na policii.
obrtme se na policii.
5 Pejete-li si dal informace, rdi vs
Jestli(e) si pejete dal informace, rdi
navtvme.
vs navtvme.
6 Sejdou-li se prezidenti, bude to uiten Jestli(e) se sejdou prezidenti, bude to
pro ob zem.
uiten pro ob zem.
7 Budete-li s nimi mluvit, mete jim
Jestli(e) s nimi budete mluvit, mete
laskav vydit mj vzkaz.
jim laskav vydit mj vzkaz.
8 Najde-li se njak lep een, meme o Jestli(e) se najde njak lep een,
tom diskutovat.
meme o tom diskutovat.
9 Dostal-li jste n mail, je vm zejm
Jestli(e) jste dostal n mail, je vm
situace jasn.
zejm situace jasn.
10 Hod-li se vm to, meme se setkat ztra Jestli(e) se vm to hod, meme se
v devt u m.
setkat ztra v devt u m.
THE CONJUNCTION JESTLI IN OBJECT CLAUSES

Spojka JESTLI v pedmtnch vtch
The conjunction JESTLI (but not jestlie) is also used in object clauses as a counterpart
of the English if or whether:
Nevm, jestli to chcete slyet.
Zeptali se m, jestli jsem tam byl.
Nikdo nev, jestli je to pravda.
Neptm se, jestli jste to udlal vy.
I dont know whether you want to hear it.

They asked me whether I had been there.
Nobody knows if it is true.
I am not asking whether it was you who did it.
See more examples in chapter 60, Indirect Speech.
www.factumcz.cz
169
47
MT as a modal verb
MT jako modln sloveso
The reason for introducing a modal verb at this place is its functional relationship with the
conditional.
The verb MT is primarily equivalent to the English have, own, possess.
Besides that, the verb MT is used in modal functions that can be roughly descibed like this:
a: asking for advice
1 Co mm dlat?
2 J nevm, co mm dlat.
3 Nevdl jsem, co mm dlat.
4 Mm j zavolat?
5 Mm jt s tebou?
6 Mme vm to vysvtlit?
7 Mm tam jt?
8 Mm rozsvtit?
9 Kde mm zaparkovat?
10 Kdy mme pijet?
11 Kam to mm dt?
12 Mm to koupit?
13 Mme mu to ct?
14 Jak to mme udlat?
15 Jak to mm napsat?
16 Kterou tramvaj mm jet?
17 Komu to mm poslat?
18 Pro se to mm uit?
What shall I do?

I dont know what I shall do.
I didnt know what I should do
Shall I ring her up?
Shall I go with you?
Shall we explain it for you?
Shall I go there?
Shall I switch on the light?
Where shall I park?
When shall we come?
Where shall I put it?
Shall I buy it?
Shall we tell him (that)?
How shall we do it?
How shall I write it?
What tram shall I take?
Whom shall I send it to?
Why shall I learn it?
The same sentences may be used in conditional with a more tentative shade:
1 Co bych ml dlat?
What should I do?
2 J nevm, co bych ml dlat.
I dont know what I should do.
3 Nevdl jsem, co bych ml dlat.
I didnt know what I should do
4 Ml bych j zavolat?
Should I ring her up?
5 Ml bych jt s tebou?
Should I go with you?
6 Mli bychom vm to vysvtlit?
Should we explain it for you?
7 Ml bych tam jt?
Should I go there?
8 Ml bych rozsvtit?
Should I switch on the light?
9 Kde bych ml zaparkovat?
Where should I park?
10 Kdy bychom mli pijet?
When should we come?
11 Kam bych to ml dt?
Where should I put it?
12 Ml bych to koupit?
Should I buy it?
13 Mli bychom mu to ct?
Should we tell him (that)?
14 Jak bychom to mli udlat?
How should we do it?
15 Jak bych to ml napsat?
How should I write it?
16 Kterou tramvaj bychom mli jet?
What tram should I take?
17 Komu bych to ml poslat?
Whom should I send it to?
18 Pro bych se to ml uit?
Why should I learn it?
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170
b: reporting another persons request or advice (indirect speech):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Petr kal, e na nj mme pokat.

Jana k, e tam nem chodit.
Doktor mi ekl, e mm zstat doma.
Oni kaj, e mme pijt ztra.
Martin kal, e mme jet devtkou.
J jsem ti kal, e to nem dlat.
Petra kala, e j m zavolat.
J jsem ti kal, e o tom nem mluvit.
Policie kala, e nemme nic dlat.
On ti kal, e to nem otvrat.
Peter said that we should wait for him.

Jane says that you shouldnt go there.
The doctor advised me to stay at home.
They say that we should come tomorrow.
M. said that we should take (tram) No nine.
I told you that you shouldnt do that.
P. said that you should ring her up.
I told you that you shouldnt talk about it.
Police said that we shouldnt do anything.
He told you that you shouldnt open it.
The same content can be expressed by means of the conjunction aby (See chapter 60 Indirect Speech). Notice that the conjunction aby is always followed by past
participle, regardless of the temporal relations.
The following examples repeat the same sentences as above.
Both types of indirect requests are widely used in everyday speech.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Petr kal, e na nj mme pokat.

Jana k, e tam nem chodit.
Doktor mi ekl, e mm zstat doma.
Oni kaj, e mme pijt ztra.
Martin kal, e mme jet devtkou.
J jsem ti kal, e to nem dlat.
Petra kala, e j m zavolat.
J jsem ti kal, e o tom nem mluvit.
Policie kala, e nemme nic dlat.
On ti kal, e to nem otvrat.
Petr kal, abychom na nj pokali.

Jana k, abys tam nechodil(a).
Doktor mi ekl, abych zstal(a) doma.
Oni kaj, abychom pili ztra.
Martin kal, abychom jeli devtkou.
J jsem ti kal, abys to nedlal(a).
Petra kala, abys j zavolal(a).
J jsem ti kal, abys o tom nemluvil(a).
Policie kala, abychom nic nedlali.
On ti kal, abys to neotvral(a).
c: reporting what is said (a hearsay)

1
Ztra m pret.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ten vlak m pijet na druh

nstupit.
Prezident m mt dnes veer projev.
To auto m bt opraven ztra.
Tady m bydlet ten znm herec.
Tohle m bt velmi dobr lk.
Tady m bt njak schze.
Za pt rok tady m bt dlnice.
Pan editel m pijt za chvli.
10
M se zvyovat cena benzinu.
www.factumcz.cz
It should rain tomorrow. (They say itll

rain)
The train is due to platform two.
The president is to hold a speech tonight.
The car should be repaired tomorrow.
The famous actor is said to live here.
This is said to be a very good medicament.
There should be a meeting here.
A motorway is planned to be here in five
years.
The director is expected to come in a
moment.
The petrol price is going to increase.
171
d: expressing what is desirable, advisable:

In combination with conditional: equivalent to the English should, ought to:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mli bychom si vzt taxk.

To by se nemlo dlat.
U bychom mli jt.
Pr. Mli bychom zstat doma.
Ml by sis koupit nov auto.
Mli bychom si odpoinout.
Neml bys na to spolhat.
Mla bys pestat kouit.
Neml bys utrcet tolik penz.
Ml bych se vrtit do soboty.
We should take a taxi.

It shouldnt be done.
We should go now.
Its raining. We ought to stay at home.
You ought to buy a new car.
We should have a rest.
You should not rely on it.
You should stop smoking.
You should not spend so much money.
I should be back by Saturday.
e: If the above mentioned sentences are expressed not by the conditional, but by the
indicative in past tense, they correspond to the English should have done (= but
havent done):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mli jsme si vzt taxk.

To se nemlo stt.
U jsme mli jt.
Pr. Mli jsme zstat doma.
Ml sis koupit nov auto.
Mli jsme si odpoinout.
Neml jsi na to spolhat.
Mla jsi pestat kouit.
Neml jsi utrcet tolik penz.
Ml jsem se vrtit do soboty.
www.factumcz.cz
We should have taken a taxi.

It shouldnt have happened.
We should have gone.
Its raining. We should have stayed at home.
You should have bought a new car.
We should have had a rest.
You shouldnt have relied on it.
You should have stopped smoking.
You shouldnt have spent so much money.
I should have returned by Saturday.
Mli bychom to udlat.
We should (ought to) do it.
Mli jsme to udlat.
We should have done it.
172
PASSIVE VOICE
Pasivum = Trpn rod
48
The relation between agent and goal may be expressed either in active voice (aktivum =
inn rod) or in passive voice (pasivum = trpn rod).
Lets compare the following two sentences:
Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
The corresponding Czech translation is:
Shakespeare napsal Hamleta.
Hamlet byl napsn Shakespearem.
The passive construction of the verb is based on the same principle as in English, i.e. it
consists of
the appropriate form of the verb BT (to be) and the passive participle.
There are, however, several important differences. They are summarized on the following
lines:
PASSIVE PARTICIPLE (pasivn participium = ptomn inn pest)
Passive Participle has different forms, corresponding to the number and gender of the
relevant clause subject, as it can be seen in the chart where the participle napsn (written)
serves as example.
m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
Singular
napsn
napsn
napsna
napsno
Plural
napsni
napsny
napsny
napsna
(It may seem strange to choose just the participle written, but on the contrary,
its a suitable example. It illustrates another special feature of Czech, viz. that
even titles of books -as well as films etc.- are conjugated.)
See the examples on the following lines.
(The name of the book is underlined, the passive construction is printed in capitals.)
Hordubal BYL NAPSN v roce 1933.

Kamenn most BYL NAPSN v roce 1944.
Babika BYLA NAPSNA v roce 1855.
Msteko na dlani BYLO NAPSNO v r. 1940.
Zbablci BYLI NAPSNI v r.1958.
Oste sledovan vlaky BYLY NAPSNY v r. 1965.
Povdky z jedn kapsy BYLY NAPSNY v r. 1929.
Moje zlat emesla BYLA NAPSNA v r. 1990.
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173
the noun in the title

of the book
m.anim.
(persons name)
most, m.neiv
(bridge)
babika, f.
(grandmother)
msteko, n.
(little town)
zbablci pl.m.anim. (cowards)
vlaky pl.m.inanim. (trains)
povdky pl.f.
(tales)
emesla pl.n.
(trades, crafts)
Notice that the endings of passive participle are identical with those of active past participle
of the verbs (see chapter 14) and nominal forms of adjectives (see chapter 41) , i.e.
m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
Singular
---
---
-A
-O
Plural
-I
-Y
-Y
-A
The same endings are used for both imperfective (=nedokonav) and perfective
(=dokonav) verbs the semantic difference corresponding to the basic aspectual
distinction, which may be formulated in a simplified way as the action in duration or the
action as a whole.
Example:
Program byl mnn.
The programme was (being) continous or uncompleted process
changed.
Program byl zmnn.
The programme was changed.
completed process
Past participle is formed from the infinitive in the following way.

(The chart mentions only the singular masculine forms.)
(The division into groups only serves the purpose of our explanations.)
group (a)
INFINITIVE
- AT
- ovAT
- T
examples
pozvat
opakovat
dt
group (b)
INFINITIVE
-T
-ET
-IT
www.factumcz.cz
see
hear
improve
rozhodnout
-N
-EN
-EN
decide
-NUT
vidn
slyen
zlepen
-IT
-YT
174
seen
heard
improved
examples
rozhodnut
decided
examples
PAST PART.
use
wash
invited
repeated
given; put
examples
PAST PART.
examples
pout
umt
pozvn
opakovn
dn
PAST PART.
examples
group (d)
INFINITIVE
-T
-T
-N
-ovN
-N
examples
group ( c )
INFINITIVE
-NOUT
invite
repeat
give; put
vidt
slyet
zlepit
examples
PAST PART.
pouit
umyt
used
washed
There are several deviations from the above mentioned rules, the most important being
consonant alternations in group (b):
INFIN.
-TIT
-DIT
-SIT
PAST PART.
-CEN
-ZEN
-EN
Examples:
vrtit
platit (impf.)
zaplatit (pf.)
ztratit
chytit
return
pay
pay
lose
catch
vrcen
placen
zaplacen
ztracen
chycen
returned
paid
paid
lost
caught
narodit se
uklidit
nahradit
to be born
tidy
replace
narozen
uklizen
nahrazen
born
tidied
replaced
hlen
haen
uhaen
reported
extinguished
extinguished
hlsit
report
hasit (impf.) extinguish
uhasit (pf.) extinguish
Several isolated verbs in group (c):
INFIN.
zamknout
odemknout
navrhnout
PAST PART.
lock
unlock
suggest, propose
zamen = zamknut
locked
odemen = odemknut
unlocked
navren
suggested, proposed
A few isolated verbs in group (d):

INFIN.
otevt
zavt
PAST PART.
open
close, shut
oteven
zaven
open(ed)
closed, shut
Some others:
INFIN.
st (impf.)
pest (pf.)
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PAST PART.
read
read
ten
peten
175
read
read
DECLENSION OF NOMINAL PARTS OF PASSIVE CONSTRUCTIONS

Skloovn jmennch len pasivnch konstrukc
The agent of the passive construction is expressed by the instrumental case
(Shakespearem = by Shakespeare)
ACTIVE:
PASSIVE:
Shakespeare
NOMINATIVE
Shakespeare
napsal
Hamlet
NOMINATIVE
Hamlet
byl napsn
Kolumbus
NOMINATIVE
Columbus
objevil
wrote
was written
Hamleta.
ACCUSATIVE
Hamlet.
Shakespearem.
INSTRUMENTAL
by Shakespeare.
Similarly:
ACTIVE:
PASSIVE:
discovered
Amerika
NOMINATIVE
America
byla objevena
was discovered
Ameriku.
ACCUSATIVE
America.
Kolumbem.
INSTRUMENTAL
by Columbus.
or
ACTIVE:
PASSIVE:
Lka
NOMINATIVE
The doctor
Zrann
NOMINATIVE
The injured
prohldne
will check-up
bude prohldnut
will be checked-up
zrannho.
ACCUSATIVE
the injured..
lkaem.
INSTRUMENTAL
by the doctor..
Passive constructions of this type are not so frequently used in Czech as they are in English.
The reason is the existence of an active parallel to the English passive constructions:
Hamleta napsal Shakespeare.
Ameriku objevil Kolumbus.
Zrannho prohldne lka.
It is the inflected form (the case) that clearly points to
the accusative Hamleta, Ameriku, zrannho as the goal,
and the nominative Shakespeare, Kolumbus, lka as the agent.
The declension form (case) plays a more important part than the word order.
www.factumcz.cz
176
Passive participle has higher occurence in constructions where the agent remains
unexpressed:
Examples:
Amerika byla objevena v roce 1492.
Jeho lnek byl publikovn loni.
Pednka byla zruena.
Byly vybrny vhodn pklady.
Byly popsny dva takov ppady.
To zbo u je zaplaceno.
Ta konference byla dobe zorganizovna.
Nebyly pozorovny dn zmny.
Kde bylo to zbo koupeno?
Ty lstky byly zaplaceny vera.
Jednn bude obnoveno.
Chyby jsou opraveny.
Dm byl prodn za dva miliony.
Plny byly uskutenny.
Politick strany byly zakzny.
Smlouva byla podepsna.
Deset lid bylo zranno.
Ti vojci byli zabiti.
Vsledky jsou zveejnny tady.
Postup je popsn na stran 56.
Karlova univerzita byla zaloena roku 1348.
America was discovered in 1492.

His paper was published last year.
The lecture has been cancelled.
Suitable examples were chosen.
Two such cases were described.
The goods have (already) been paid for.
The conference was well organized.
No changes were observed.
Where have the goods been bought?
The tickets were paid (for) yesterday.
The negotiation will be renewed.
The mistakes have been corrected.
The house was sold for two millions.
The plans were realized.
Political parties were banned.
The contract was signed.
Ten people (persons) were injured.
Three soldiers were killed.
The results are published here.
The procedure is described on page 56
Charles University was founded in 1348.
Its useful to mention the following fixed expressions:

BYLO EENO
BYLO MI EENO
BYLO NM EENO
It was said
I was told
We were told
Examples:
Bylo mi eeno, e tady bude ekat taxk.
Bylo nm to eeno minul tden.
Bylo mi eeno, abych sem piel.
Bylo nm eeno, abychom tady pokali.
Kdy vm to bylo eeno?
www.factumcz.cz
I was told that the taxi would be waiting here.

We were told (that) last week.
I was told to come here.
We were told to wait here.
When were you told that?
177
THE LONG (= ADJECTIVAL) FORM OF PASSIVE PARTICIPLE

Dlouh (= adjektivn) tvar pasivnho participia
The long form of passive participle is formed from the basic form by adding adjectival
endings:
m. anim.
m. inanim.
f.
n.
Singular
Plural
Examples:
zvolen prezident
vyeen problm
napsan vta
zaven okno
pozvan host
vybran pklady
odeslan zprvy
opraven auta
zrann idi
pipraven projev
doporuen kniha
skonen cvien
zabit vojci
ohlen vsledky
vydan knihy
znien msta
elected president
solved problem
written sentence
closed window
invited guests
chosen examples
sent messages
repaired cars
injured driver
prepared speech
recommended book
finished exercise
killed soldiers
announced results
published books
destroyed town
Mind the difference in the vowel length in group (a):
sg.m.
sg.f.
sg.n.
pl.m.anim.
pl.m.inanim + f.
pl.n.
BASIC PASSIVE PARTIC.
ADJECTIVAL FORM
udln, opakovn, napsn

udlna, opakovna, napsna
udlno, opakovno, napsno
hledni, pozorovni, pozvni
hledny, pozorovny, dny
hledna, pozorovna, dna
udlan, opakovan, napsan

hledan, pozorovan, pozvan
hledan, pozorovan, hledan
hledan, pozorovan, dan
The long forms are inflected in the same way as adjectives.

Examples:
To je typick zhada zamenho pokoje.
Marie stla u otevenho okna.
etl jsem to v jednom peloenm lnku.
Dal jsem ty vci do pipravenho kufru.
Musm vrtit tu vypjenou knihu.
Pes ekal ped zavenmi dvemi.
Tady je nkolik neopravench chyb.
Nkte z pozvanch novin nepili.
Ve zmnn situaci to nebylo mon.
Thats a typical mystery of a locked room.

Mary was standing by the open window.
I read it in a translated article.
I put the things into the prepared luggage.
I must return the borrowed book.
The dog was waiting in front of the closed door.
Here are a few uncorrected mistakes.
Some of the invited journalists didn t come.
It wasnt possible in the changed situation.
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178
49
VERBAL NOUN
Verbln substantivum (Podstatn jmno slovesn)
Verbal noun has no semantic conection with the passive,

but due to its formation it seems suitable to mention it in this connection.
Verbal noun is formed from the passive participle by adding the suffix .
Infinitive
Passive Part.
Verbal Noun
pozvat
opakovat
kouit
vidt
st
prominout
narodit se
pozvn
opakovn
kouen
vidn
ten
prominut
narozen
pozvn
opakovn
kouen
vidn
ten
prominut
narozen
Examples:
ekn na Godota
To ekn je moc dlouh.
Dkujeme vm za vysvtlen.
Dkujeme za pozvn.
Prosm za prominut.
Vzal jsem si prky pro span.
Tady je parkovn zakzno.
To je velk zlepen.
Nemm doma nic k pit.
Tady chyb rok narozen.
Opakovn je matka moudrosti.
To se mi stalo pi placen.
To bylo ped objevenm Ameriky.
Mm pro vs dleit oznmen.
Mte jet njak pn?
Pi psan pekladu jsem pouval slovnk.
Ped zapnutm pstroje tte nvod.
inviting, invitation
repeating, repetition
smoking
seeing
reading
excusing
birth
Waiting for Godot

The waiting is too long.
Thank you for the explanation.
Thank you for the invitation.
I ask for excuse.
I have taken sleeping pills.
Parking is forbidden here.
Thats a great improvement.
I have nothing to drink at home.
The year of birth is missing here.
Repeating is the mother of wisdom.
It happened to me when I was paying.
It was before the discovery of America.
I have an important announcement for you.
Do you wish anything else?
I used dictionary when writing the
translation.
Read instruction before switching on the
device.
The gender of verbal noun is neuter (pattern ndra).

The examples show various possibilities of English translations.
Remark:
There might be two topics for a linguistic discussion:
a) semantic distinction between verbal nouns formed from imperfective and
perfective verbs;
b) the relation of the Czech verbal noun to the English verbal noun and gerund
In this survey, however, we leave these questions unnoticed.
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179
REFLEXIVE, RELATIVE AND INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

REFLEXIVE PRONOUN
Zvratn zjmeno
50
The reflexive pronoun SE was introduced in chapter 19, partly as a properly reflexive
object, partly as an inherent component of the verbs called refexiva tantum especially in
connection with the important rules concerning word order. So far only the forms SE and SI
have been mentioned.
The complete declension pattern of the pronoun is equal to that of the personal pronoun ty,
i.e.:
without
after
preposition
preposition
N
(SE)
---
A
G
D
L
I
SE
SE
SI
--SEBOU
SEBE
SEBE
SOB
(o) SOB
the form of Nominative only

as the name of the pronoun
The syntactic semantics of the pronoun is multifunctional and it is summarized in the

following paragraphs:
A: THE PROPERLY REFLEXIVE FUNCTION, corresponding to the English myself,
yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves, contrasting with transitive
verbs. (See also chapter 19.)
The proper form corresponds to the syntactic functions of grammatical cases (see chapters 21,
28 31.)
TRANSITIVE
REFLEXIVE
J t nevidm.
J SE nevidm.
I cant see you..
I cant see me / myself. (e.g. in a mirror)
L.H.Oswald zastelil prezidenta Kennedyho. Ernest Hemingway SE zastelil.
L.H.Oswald shot president Kennedy.
Ernest Hemingway shot himself.
Ona to dl pro tebe..
Ona to dl pro SEBE.
She is doing it for you.
She is doing it for herself.
Mu ti pomoct?
Myslm, e SI musm pomoct sm.
Can I help you?
I think I must help myself.
On mi nerozum
On asi nerozum (sm) SOB.
He doesnt understand me.
He may not understand himself.
Oni pod mluv o fotbale.
Oni pod mluv o SOB.
They are always talking about football.
They are always talking about themselves..
J jsem t v tom filmu nepoznal.
J jsem SE v tom filmu nepoznal.
I didn recognize you in the film.
I didnt recognize me/myself in the photo.
Podvej se na m.
Podvej se na SEBE.
Look at me.
Look at yourself.
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180
Sometimes, the presence or absence of se indicates different meanings, e.g.:

uit
nauit
teach
uit se
nauit se
vracet
vrtit
return =give/put/send/carry/pay back
vracet se } return = come/go back

vrtit se
learn
The reflexive relation must be kept apart from the transitive function. E.g.:
transitive
reflexive
Potebju umt auto.
I need to wash the car.
Potebuju se umt.
I need to wash (myself).
(The English I wash, I comb has the Czech counterparts myju se, eu se
Such verbs cannot exist without a grammatical object, either transitive, or reflexive.)
Mind the following constructions:
with (one)self
S SEBOU
pronunciation [sebou]
Examples:
Nemm s sebou dost penz.
M s sebou mapu?
M Petr s sebou kle?
Vezmeme s sebou taky Tome?
Mte s sebou njak prkaz?
Oni si vzali vechny vci s sebou.
I havent enough money with me.

Do you have a map with you?
Has Peter keys with himself?
Shall we take Thomas with us too?
Have you got any identity card with you?
They took all the things with themselves.
MT NA SOB
to have on (clothes), to wear
Co ml idi na sob?
What had the driver on?
Jana mla na sob nov kabt.
Jane was wearing a new coat.
VZT SI NA SEBE
to put on (cothes), wear
Co si mm vzt na sebe?
What shall I put on?
The idiomatic expression
(DVAT SI)
DT SI, DM SI, DAL SI
Examples:
Co si dte?
Dte si kvu?
Co si dme?
Dm si jet jedno pivo.
www.factumcz.cz
} to have, to take, to order (for eating/drinking)

What will you have (to drink/to eat)
Will you have some coffee?
What shall we have? What shall we order?
Ill have another (glass of) beer.
181
B: RECIPROCITY, coresponding to the English each other, one another

The proper form corresponds to the syntactic functions of grammatical cases (see chapters 21,
28 31.)
Znme SE u hodn let.
We have known each other for many years.
Kdy jsme byli dti, ekali jsme NA SEBE ped kolou.
When we were children, we used to wait for each other in front of the school
Oni se NA SEBE jen dvali, a nic nekali.
They were only looking at each other, not saying anything.
Bydleli jsme VEDLE SEBE.
We lived next to each other. (next door)
Kad rok SI poslme vnon pohledy.
Every year we send each other Christmas cards.
Pospilovi a Horkovi bydl NAD SEBOU
The family P. and the family H. live above each other. (one floor up / down)
Jezdme K SOB o vkendech.
We travel to each other during weekends. (= we visit each other )
Vy SE neznte?
You dont know each other?
(= You havent met before?)
Myslm, e jsme SE u vidli.

I think we have seen each other. (= I think weve met before.)
Mluvili jsme o tom jen MEZI SEBOU.
We spoke about it only among ourselves / with each other.
C: REFLEXIVA TANTUM i.e. the reflexive pronoun makes an inherent part of

certain verbs, without having ny meaning of its own.
Only the forms SE and SI are used in this function. (Not the other grammatical cases.)
E.g.: dvat se podvat se (look),
smt se zasmt se (laugh)
uit se nauit se (learn)
vracet se vrtit se (return)
bt se
(be afraid)
pt si (wish)
brt si vzt si (take)
(See chapter 19.)
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182
D: EXPRESSING A GENERAL SUBJECT

Only the form SE is used. (Not the other grammatical cases.)
(The construction is similar to the Spanish se, the French on,
Swedish man or to the German Man-Stze.)
k se
Spanish
French
Swedish
German
Se dice
On dit
Man sger
Man sagt
(The English translation varies, often it is a passive construction,.)

k se, e Praha je hezk.
Tady se mluv esky.
Tady se se nesm parkovat.
Jak se to ekne esky?
Plat se u pokladny.
Ztra se zan v devt.
S tm se nemus spchat.
Nev se, kdo to udlal.
People say that Prague is attractive.

Czech is spoken here.
Parking is forbidden here.
What is the Czech expression for it?
You pay at the cash desk.
Tomorrow, the beginning is at nine.
There is no hurry about it
It is not known who has done it.
E: PASSIVE FUNCTION
Zjistily se nov skutenosti.
Ztra se bude volit nov pedseda.
Ta informace se nesm zveejnit.
Pihlka se mus podat osobn.
Ty problmy se u vyeily.
New facts have been found out.

New chairman will be elected tomorrow.
The information must not be published.
The application must be handed in person.
The problems have been solved.
The Czech language distinguishes two passive constructions:

sloen pasivum (composed passive) (= trpn rod) see chapter 48,
and reflexivn pasivum
We have chosen such examples where both constructions may coexist, without any semantic
difference.
Reflexivn pasivum
Zjistily se nov skutenosti.
Ztra se bude volit nov pedseda.
Ta informace se nesm zveejnit.
Pihlka se mus podat osobn.
Ty problmy se u vyeily.
Sloen pasivum
Byly zjitny nov skutenosti
Ztra bude volen nov pedseda.
Ta informace nesm bt zveejnna.
Pihlka mus bt podna osobn.
Ty problmy u byly vyeeny.
Such equivalence, however, is not possible always, and the choice depends on various
semantic and stylistic circumstances, including even the lexical semantics of particular verbs.
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183
51
REFLEXIVE POSSESSIVE PRONOUN

Zvratn pivlastovac zjmeno
If the owned item (standing in the syntactic function of object or adverbial) belongs to the
human being standing in the syntactic function of subject, the posessive ponoun SVJ should
be used instead of the non-reflexive personal pronouns
mj (moje ), tvj (tvoje ), jeho, jej, n (nae ), v (vae ), jejich .
The morphological forms of the reflexive pronoun have equal declensional endings like the
pronoun MJ, i.e.:
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
f.
Singular
N
A
SVHO
SVJ
SVOJE= SV SVOJI = SVOU
G
D
L
I
Plural
N
A
SVHO
SVMU
SVM
SVM
--SVOJE = SV
--SVOJE = SV
SVOJ = SV
SVOJ = SV
SVOJ = SV
SVOJ = SVOU
--SVOJE = SV
--SVOJE = SV
G
SVCH
D
SVM
L
SVCH
I
SVMI
(The ostensible lack of the nominative forms has its logical explanation in the impossibility of
the pronoun of functioning as a syntactic subject of a clause.)
The pronoun is used when the owner functions as the grammatical subject.
Examples:
To je
mj slovnk.
This is
my dictionary.
Ty m
mj slovnk?
Do you have
my dictionary?
you my dictionary
J mm
SVJ slovnk.
I have
my (own) dictionary
I - my dictionary
Tohle bylo
na mm stole.
on my table.
This was
Nael jsem to
na SVM stole.
I have found it
on my (own) table.
I - on my table
Kdy jsi mluvil
s mm bratrem?
When did you talk
to my brother?
you - my brother
Budu mluvit
se SVM bratrem ztra.
I am going to talk
to my brother tomorrow.
I - to my brother
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184
The appropriate forms of the reflexive possessive pronoun may refer to any person, depending
on the grammatical subject. Mind the following examples:
J mm svj slovnk.
J mm svoji taku.
J mm svoje auto.
Ty m svj slovnk.
Ty m svoji taku.
Ty m svoje auto.
On m svj slovnk.
On m svoji taku.
On m svoje auto.
Ona m svj slovnk.
Ona m svoji taku.
Ona m svoje auto.
Kad msto m svho starostu.
Kad msto m svoje smrovac slo.
My mme svho tlumonka.
My mme svj slovnk.
My mme svoji taku.
My mme svoje auto.
Vy mte svj slovnk.
Vy mte svoji taku.
Vy mte svoje auto.
Oni maj svj slovnk.
Oni maj svoji taku.
Oni maj svoje auto.
I have my dictionary.
I have my bag.
I have my car.
You have your dictionary.
You have your bag.
You have your car.
He has his (own) dictionary.
He has his (own) bag.
He has his (own) car.
She has her (own) dictionary.
She has her (own) bag.
She has her (own) car.
Every town has its (own) mayor.
Every town has its (own) post code.
We have our (own) interpreter.
We have our dictionary.
We have our bag.
We have our car.
You have your dictionary.
You have your bag.
You have your car.
They have their (own) dictionary.
They have their (own) bag.
They have their (own) car.
Its impossible to state the reference of an isolated phrase of the type svoje auto, svj dm,
svm ptelm, etc., unless the grammatical subject of the sentence is mentioned.
Compare the following lists of sentences showing the identity of the owner and the owned
item for each grammatical person in different grammatical cases:
Subject J
ekm na svho souseda.
Dvm se na svj program.
Koupil jsem drek pro svoji ptelkyni.
Zapomnl jsem ty papry na svm stole.
Pjdu tam se svm kolegou.
Mm dobr zprvy pro svoje ptele.
Napsal jsem to na svm potai.
Pojedu na nvtvu ke svm rodim.
Pojedu tam se svmi znmmi.
Dostal jsem zprvu od svch ptel.
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I my
I am waiting for my neighbour.
I am looking at my programme.
I have bought a present for my girlfriend.
I have left the papers on my desk.
I will go there with my colleague.
I have good news for my friends.
I wrote it on my computer.
I will visit my parents.
I will go there with my friends.
I have got a message from my friends.
185
Subject TY
you your
M ty penze na svm kont.

Mluvil jsi se svm fem?
Myslm, e jsi to dala do sv taky.
Zn svj program na pt tden?
You have the money on your account.

Have you spoken to your boss?
I think you put it into your bag.
Do you know your programme for next
week?
Havent you an office of your own?
Have you told your neighbour?
You always have your own opinion.
You have the papers on your desk.
Did you buy a present for your
girlfriend?
Did you say that to your wife?
Ty nem svoji kancel?

ekl jsi to svmu sousedovi?
Ty m vdycky svj nzor.
M ty papry na svm stole.
Koupil jsi drek pro svoji ptelkyni?
ekl jsi to sv manelce?
Subject MY
we our
Nejdv musme udlat podek ve svch

vcech.
Byli jsme ve svm hotelu.
ekali jsme na sv kolegy.
Nali jsme to ve sv kanceli.
Dme vm svoji novou adresu.
My na to mme svj nzor.
Jeli jsme svm autem.
Dali jsme ty papry na svj stl.
Nevidli jsme svho fa.
Mluvili jsme se svmi sousedy.
First we must make order in our things.

We were at our hotel.
We were waiting for our colleagues.
We found it in our office.
Well give you our new address.
We have our (own) opinion about it.
We were driving our (own) car.
We put the papers on our desk.
We didnt see our boss.
We were speaking to our neighbours.
Subject VY
Mli byste si udlat podek ve svch
vcech.
Byli jste ve svm hotelu?
Potkali jste svoje kolegy?
Byli jste ve sv kanceli?
Mete mi dt svoji novou adresu?
Mete nm ct svj nzor?
Jeli jste svm autem?
Pro jste nedali ty papry na svj stl?
Vidli jste svho fa?
Mluvili jste se svmi sousedy?
www.factumcz.cz
you your
You ought to make order in your things.
Were you at your hotel?
Did you meet your colleagues?
Were you at your office?
Can you give me your new address?
Can you tell us your opinion?
Did you drive your car?
Why didnt you put the papers on your
desk?
Did you see your boss?
Did you speak to your neighbours?
186
Subject
ON
Petr je ve svm pokoji.

Martin to dal do svho auta.
Tom pomh svmu bratrovi.
Radek mi dal svoji novou adresu.
On nael to slovo ve svm slovnku.
On ek na svho kolegu.
Pan Klma jezd svm autem.
Karel hled svoji taku.
Milan vdycky odmyk svm klem.
Karel apek o tom psal ve svch
romnech.
Subject
Boena Nmcov o tom psala ve svch

povdkch.
she her (own)

Jane is in her room.
Petra put it into her car.
Lenka helps her brother.
Petra gave me her new address.
She found the word in her dictionary.
She is waiting for her colleague.
Ms. ern drives her car.
Zuzana is looking for her bag.
Blanka always locks up with her (own)
key.
Boena Nmcov wrote about it in her
stories.
ONI
Oni jsou ve svm pokoji.

Oni to dali do svho auta.
Oni pomhaj svmu sousedovi.
Hlovi mi dali svoji novou adresu.
Oni nali to slovo ve svm slovnku.
Oni ekaj na svho kolegu.
Oni jezd svm autem.
Oni hledaj svj hotel.
Oni vdycky odmykaj svm klem.
Nkte spisovatel o tom psali ve svch
romnech.
www.factumcz.cz
Peter is in his room.

Martin put it into his car.
Thomas helps his brother
Radek gave me his new address.
He found the word in his dictionary.
He is waiting for his colleague.
Mr. Klma drives his car.
Karel is looking for his bag.
Milan always locks up with his (own)
key.
Karel apek wrote about it in his novels.
ONA
Jana je ve svm pokoji.

Petra to dala do svho auta.
Lenka pomh svmu bratrovi.
Petra mi dala svoji novou adresu.
Ona nala to slovo ve svm slovnku.
Ona ek na svho kolegu.
Pan ern jezd svm autem.
Zuzana hled svoji taku.
Blanka vdycky odmyk svm klem.
Subject
he his (own)
they their (own)

They are in their room.
They put it into their car.
They help their neighbour.
The Hla family gave me their new
address.
They found the word in their dictionary.
They are waiting for their colleague.
They drive their car.
They are looking for their hotel.
They always lock up with their key.
Some writers wrote about it in their
novels.
187
NOTICE:
In the 1st and 2nd person (both singular and plural) no misunderstanding can occur if the
speaker doesnt use the pronoun svj properly (i.e. if the speaker uses pronouns mj,
tvj, n v in the same way as in English.
The situation is different in the 3rd person (both singular and plural) where the reflexive
pronoun plays a very important semantic part and using either reflexive or non-reflexive
pronoun may change the meaning substantially.
Compare the following sentences:
Petr jel do Brna se SVOJ manelkou
Peter went to B. with his (own) wife.
Petr jel do Brna s jeho manelkou.
Peter went to B. with his (sb.elses) wife.
Zuzana si vzala SVOJE kle.
Zuzana took her (own) keys.
Zuzana si vzala jej kle.
Zuzana took her (sb. elses) keys.
Novkovi jeli SVM autem.
The family Novk went by their (own) car.
Novkovi jeli jejich autem.
The family Novk went by their (sb. elses) car.
Martin to chce napsat a hled SVOJI tuku.
Martin wants to write it and he is looking for his
(own) pencil.
Martin to chce napsat, ale Petr m jeho tuku.
Martin wants to write it, but Peter has his
(= Martins) pencil.
Nali to ve SVM pokoji.
They found it in their (own) room.
Nali to v jejich pokoji.
They found it in their (sb.elses) room.
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188
He his (own)
He his (sb. elses)
She her (own)
She her (sb. elses)
They their (own)
They their (sb. elses)
He his (own)
He sb.elses
They their own

They their (sb. elses)
RELATIVE PRONOUN KTER

Vztan zjmeno KTER
52
The pronoun KTER functions as

(a) an interrogative pronoun asking about identity, mostly corresponding to the English
which ?
Examples:
Kter dm je v?
Which house is yours?
Kter tramvaj tam jezd?
Which tram goes there?
Kter nstupit?
Which platform?
(b) It is used as a relative pronoun, introducing adjectival relative clauses, (corresponding
to the English that, who, which or zero pronoun).
Examples:
Ten pn, kter vs hledal, pijde ztra.
The man who was looking for you will come

tomorrow.
The man (whom) you were looking for will
come
Whats the name of the film we saw
yesterday?
Is this the dictionary (that) you need?
His brother, who is a doctor, lives in O.
Thats the news that was on the radio.
This is the (female) singer we heard.
Here is the word (that) I dont know.
The politicians who knew it didnt say it.
Are these the keys you are looking for?
Ten pn, kterho jste hledal, pijde ztra.

Jak se jmenuje ten film, kter jsme vidli
vera?
Je to ten slovnk, kter potebuje?
Jeho bratr, kter je lka, bydl v Ostrav.
To je ta zprva, kter byla v rdiu.
To je ta zpvaka, kterou jsme slyeli.
Tady je to slovo, kter neznm.
Politici, kte to vdli, to neekli.
Jsou to ty kle, kter hled?
The declension follows the pattern of hard adjectives.

Mind the regular consonant alternation r in Nom.Pl. masculine animate.
m.anim.
Sg.
N
A
G
D
L
I
Pl.
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
m.inanim.
kter
kterho
n.
f.
kter
kter
kter
kterou
kter
kter
kter
kterou
kterho
ktermu
kterm
kterm
kte
kter
kter
kter
kter
kter
kterch
kterm
kterch
ktermi
189
kter
kter
The relative pronoun must be used in the same gender, umber and case as the noun it replaces.
This is illustrated by the following examples, where the upper line presents a complex
sentence consisting of a main clause and a subordinate clause introduced by the relative
pronoun KTER.
In written form, the relative clause is separated by comma.
The lower line retells the contents of the clause, replacing the pronoun by the respective
noun.
Unlike in English,
there is no formal difference between defining and non-defining
relative clauses in Czech;
the pronoun KTER refers both to persons and things.
Examples:
Podvej se na tu knihu, kter le na stole.
f. sg. N
Ta kniha le na stole.
te jet tu knihu, kterou jsem ti pjil?
f. sg. A
J jsem ti tu knihu pjil.
To mi ekla ta pan, vedle kter jsem sedl.
f. sg. G
Sedl jsem vedle t pan.
Na druhm dku je to slovo, ktermu nerozumm.
n.sg. D
Nerozumm tomu slovu.
Tady je ten slovnk, ve kterm jsem nael to slovo.
m.sg. L
Nael jsem to slovo v tom slovnku.
To je ten vlak, kterm pojedeme.
m.sg. I
My pojedeme tm vlakem.
Mm ptele, kte to vd.
m.pl. N
Ti moji ptel to vd.
Dval jsem se na dva filmy, kter jsem vidl u dv.
m.pl. A
Vidl jsem ty filmy u dv.
To jsou problmy, kterch se bojm.
m.pl. G
Bojm se tch problm.
Kde jsou ti novini, kterm jsi to ekl?
m.pl. D
ekl jsi to tm novinm.
To jsou vci, o kterch budeme mluvit.
f.pl. L
Budeme mluvit o tch vcech.
Jak se jmenujou ti sousedi, s ktermi jsi mluvil?
m.pl. I
Ty jsi mluvil se sousedy.
www.factumcz.cz
190
The pronoun JEN is sometimes used in bookish style with the same function as the
pronoun KTER. In accusative, genitive, dative, locative and instrumental it is inflected like
the appropriate personal pronouns, distinguishing even between the forms used without
preposition and those with prepositions.
m.anim.
m.inanim.
n.
Singular
jen
jen
je
N
jeho/nho
jej/nj
je/n
A
jeho/nho
G
jemu/nmu
D
-----/nm
L
jm/nm
I
Plural
ji
je
je
N
je/n
A
jich/nich
G
jim/nim
D
----/nich
L
jimi
I
Examples:
politik, jen (= kter) to navrhl
een, je (= kter) hledme
zmna, je (= kter) zaala
to pravidlo, jemu (= ktermu) nerozumme
problm, o nm (= o kterm) budeme mluvit...
letadlo, jm (= kterm) prezident pilet
hereka, s n (= se kterou) pan XY pijel
studenti, jich (= kterch) se to tk
f.
je
ji/ni
j/n
j/n
---/n
je
the politician who proposed it

the solution (that) we are looking for
the change that started
the rule (that) we dont understand
the problem (that) well talk about
the plane (that) the presidnet will arrive
the actress with whom Mr.XY arrived
the students who are concerned
RELATIVE PRONOUN CO
refers to the whole preceding statement. Its English counterpart is which.
The pronoun is declined like CO with added suffix -, i.e.:
N+A: CO G: EHO D: EMU L: EM I: M
Nikdo nechybl, co m pekvapilo.
Martina um nkolik jazyk, co je v jejm
novm zamstnn uiten.
enk udlal v prvn vt chybu,
eho si posluchai vimli.
Ona k, e nikdy nebyla v Praze,
emu nemu vit.
Jej manel zemel bhem cesty,
o em se psalo ve vech novinch.
Oni chtj vyhlsit stvku,
s m my nesouhlasme.
www.factumcz.cz
Nobody was absent, which surprised me.

Martina knows several languages,which is
useful in her new job.
The speaker made a mistake in the first
sentence, which was noticed by the audience.
She says she has never been in Prague,
which I cant believe.
Her husband died during the jouney,
which was discussed in all newspapers.
They want to declare a strike
with which we dont agree
191
53
VERBAL ADJECTIVE
Pdavn jmno slovesn
The reason for introducing this topic here (and not in the section of adjectives, i.e.
chapters 38 43) is the functional affinity between the verbal adjective and relative clauses.
Verbal adjective corresponds to the English -ing participle in attributive function, i.e.
doing, sitting, having, going, being, carrying, existing
and even in Czech it can be rated as present participle (ptomn pest).
It is formed from the 3rd person plural of the present indicative by adding the suffix -C.
3rd person plural
(oni) dlaj
(oni) sed
(oni) maj
(oni) jdou
(oni) jsou
(oni) nesou
(oni) existuj
(oni) tou
(oni) bydl
(oni) vedou
(oni) stoj
(oni) mluv
(oni) pracuj
(oni) se boj
(oni) se znaj
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
zvonc telefon
auto pijdjc zleva
normln myslc lid
hrajc si dti
pacienti lec v nemocnici
existujc problmy
rostouc ceny
lid vracejc se z prce
pijdjc vlak
hoc hotel
udlosti probhajc v USA
nzko letc letadlo
oban bydlc na venkov
spc koka
rodiny majc finann problmy
dv eny jdouc po chodnku
sekretka mluvc temi jazyky
hlas opakujc stejnou vtu
uitel uvajc potae
dti dvajc se na televizi
www.factumcz.cz
Verbal Adjective
dlajc
sedc
majc
jdouc
jsouc
nesouc
existujc
touc
bydlc
vedouc
stojc
mluvc
pracujc
bojc se
znajc se
ringing phone
car coming from the left
normally thinking people
playing children
patients lying in hospital
existing problems
rising prices
people returning from work
arriving train
burning hotel
events happening in USA
low flying plane
citizens living in the country
sleeping cat
families having financial problems
two women going along the pavement
secretary speaking three languages
voice repetaing the same sentence
teachers using computers
children looking at TV
192
The participial constructions can be replaced by relative clauses

introduced by the conjunction KTER:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
zvonc telefon
auto pijdjc zleva
normln myslc lid
hrajc si dti
pacienti lec v nemocnici
existujc problmy
rostouc ceny
lid vracejc se z prce
pijdjc vlak
hoc hotel
udlosti probhajc v USA
nzko letc letadlo
oban bydlc na venkov
spc koka
rodiny majc finann problmy
dv eny jdouc po chodnku
sekretka mluvc temi jazyky
hlas opakujc stejnou vtu
uitel uvajc potae
dti dvajc se na televizi
telefon, kter zvon /zvonil

auto, kter pijd /pijdlo/ zleva
lid, kte normln mysl
dti, kter si hraj /hrly
pacienti, kte le /leeli / v nemocnici
problmy, kter existuj /existovaly
ceny, kter rostou / rostly
lid, kte se vracej /vraceli/ z prce
vlak, kter pijd /pijdl
hotel, kte ho /hoel
udlosti, kter probhaj /probhaly/ v USA
letadlo, kter let /letlo/nzko
oban, kte bydl /bydleli/ na venkov
koka, kter sp /spala
rodiny, kter maj /mly/ finann problmy
dv eny, kter jdou /ly/ po chodnku
sekretka, kter mluv temi jazyky
hlas, kter opakuje /opakoval/ stejnou vtu
uitel, kte uvaj /uvali/ potae
dti, kter se dvaj /dvaly/ na televizi
The participles are declined like soft adjectives.

idi si neviml auta pjdjcho zleva.
The driver didnt notice the car coming from the left
idi si neviml auta, kter pijdlo zleva.
The driver didnt notice the car that was coming from the left
Some participles functions as nouns (with adjective inflections), e.g.:

studujc (either masculine or feminine)
cestujc (m. , f.)
spolubydlc (m., f.)
www.factumcz.cz
student
passenger, traveller
roommate
193
54
RELATIVE CLAUSES - PRONOMINAL

Vztan vty - zjmenn
The constructions contain two correlative pronouns.

Notice that both of them must be inflected!
(Remark: The English equivalents may vary, one of the words sometimes being absent.)
TEN, KDO
he who
(the person who) (those who)
To si me dovolit jen ten, kdo m dost penz. Only those who have enough money can
afford it.
Rd bych mluvil s tm, kdo ti tohle ekl.
Id like to speak to the person who told you
that.
Na kiovatce mus dt pednost tomu, kdo At the cross-roads you must give way to those
pijd zprava.
coming from right.
Dvej se na toho, s km mluv.
Look at the person you are speaking to.
Ten, koho ses na to ptal, tomu asi sm moc
The person whom you asked about it didnt
nerozuml.
probably understand it well.
Vra to tomu, od koho sis to pjil.
Give it back to the person you borrowed it
from.
Ten, komu je pes 65 let, me dostat slevu. Theres reduction for those over 65.
To se tk jen toho, kdo m esk obanstv. This concerns only those with Czech
citizenship.
Vdycky se mluv o tom, komu se poda
Those who succeed in doing sth.
udlat nco mimodnho.
extraordinary are always spoken about.
Dej to tomu, o kom si mysl, e je nejlep. Give it to the person you think to be the best
one.
TO, CO
what
To je pesn to, co se mi lb.

Pro mluv o tom, emu nerozum?
Thats exactly what I like.

Why are you talking about something you
dont understand?
Do you understand what is being talked
about?
Whats the difference between what you said
yesterday and what you are saying today?
Thats exactly what Im not satisfied with.
I cant believe what happened.
Here is what Ive been looking for such a long
time.
Everyone boasts about what oneself is most
proud of.
Notice what is going to be talked about.
What is called the thing that you switch on the
lamp with? Its a switch.
Rozum tomu, o em se mluv?

Jak je rozdl mezi tm, co jsi kal vera
a co k dnes?
To je prv to, s m nejsem spokojen.
Nemu vit tomu, co se stalo.
Tady je to, co jsem tak dlouho hledal.
Kad se chlub tm, na co je nejvc pyn.
Vimni si toho, o em se te bude mluvit.
Jak se jmenuje to, m se rozsvcuje lampa?
To je vypna.
www.factumcz.cz
194
NKDO, KDO
someone who
Je jet nkdo, kdo tomu nerozum?
Is there still anybody who doesnt understand

it?
Zn nkoho, kdo by mi mohl pomoct?
Do you know someone who could help me?
Byl to asi nkdo, s km jsi chodil do koly.
It was probably someone you attended school
with. (= a previous class-mate of yours)
Oni mluvili o nkom, koho j neznm.
They were talking about a person I dont
know .
Existuje nkdo, o kom si mysl, e je lep
Is there anybody you consider to be better
ne ty?
than you?
O tom me diskutovat jen s tm, komu
You can discuss it only with a person that
to je pln jasn.
understands it perfectly.
Dej to nkomu, kdo to opravdu potebuje.
Give it to someone who really needs it.
Kdy mluv s nkm, koho nezn,
When talking to a person you dont know, you
mus mu v etin vykat.
have to use the vy-form in Czech.
V o nkom, kdo by mi to mohl vysvtlit?
Do you know (about) a person that could
explain it for me?
To by ti mohl ct nkdo, kdo byl v Austrlii. Someone who has been to Australia could tell
you that.
NCO, CO
something / anything that
Tady je nco, co by t mohlo zajmat.
Here is something that could be interesting

for you.
Is there anything you are afraid of?
How can you speak like this about a thing you
have never seen?
Were not going to talk about a thing that
doesnt matter to you.
There may have been something else you
didnt notice.
We cant be satisfied with something where
there are so many mistakes.
The child may be afraid of something we dont
know about.
Why do you protest against a thing that
doesnt concern you?
Now Im going to say something you may be
surprised at.
Can you help me with something that I dont
know how to do?
Existuje nco, eho se boj?

Jak me takhle mluvit o nem, co jsi
nikdy nevidl?
Nebudeme mluvit o tom, na em ti nezle.
Mon tam bylo jet nco, eho sis neviml.
Nememe bt spokojeni s nm, v em je
tolik chyb.
To dt se teba boj neho, o em my
nevme.
Pro protestuje proti tomu, co se t netk?
Te eknu nco, emu se asi budete divit.
Me mi pomoct s nm, co j neumm?
www.factumcz.cz
195
VECHNO, CO
all that
Musm si te pipravit vechno,

co budu ztra potebovat.
On je vdycky spokojen se vm, co dostane.
Nemus vit vemu, emu v ostatn.
To dt se boj veho, co nezn.
Now I have to prepare all that Ill need

tomorrow.
Hes always satisfied with all that he gets.
You neednt believe all that the others believe.
The child is afraid of all that it (he/she)
doesnt know.
Did you understand all that was spoken about
there?
You always see some faults in all that I do.
Rozuml jsi vemu, o em se tam mluvilo?

Ty vdycky vid njak chyby ve vem,
co j dlm.
V tom lnku jsem popsal vechno,
co jsem tam vidl.
J budu souhlasit se vm, s m bude
souhlasit ty.
Mete se m zeptat na vechno, emu
nebudete rozumt.
J se nesmju vemu, emu se smje ty.
In the article I have described all that I saw

there.
Im going to agree with all that youll agree
with.
You can ask me about all that you dont
understand.
I dont laugh at all things that you laugh at.
KAD, KDO
everybody who
all (those) who
To ti me ct kad, kdo tam byl.

Me s nmi jet kad, komu se to hod.
To se d ct o kadm, kdo skonil vysokou
kolu.
Zavolej kadmu, o kom v, e neodjel na
vkend.
To se tk kadho, kdo se narodil po roce
1990.
Anybody who was there can tell you that.

Anyone for whom its suitable may go with us.
This can be said about all those who
graduated from a university.
Ring up all those that you know didnt leave
for the weekend.
This concerns all those born after 1990.
The construction KAD, KDO may have its equivalent in VICHNI, KTE.
VICHNI, KTE
all (those) who
To ti mou ct vichni, kte tam byli.

Mou s nmi jet vichni, kterm se to hod.
All of those who were there can tell you that.

All those for whom its suitable may go with
us.
This can be said about all those who
graduated from a university.
Ring up all those that you know didnt leave
for the weekend.
This concerns all those born after 1990.
To se d ct o vech, kte skonili vysokou

kolu.
Zavolej vem, o kterch v, e neodjeli na
vkend.
To se tk vech, kte se narodili po roce
1990.
Rd bych podkoval vem, kte m sem
pozvali.
www.factumcz.cz
Id like to thank all those who invited me to

come.
196
PRONOUNS KAD VICHNI
55
Zjmena kad vichni
The pronoun KAD (every) has regular adjectival declension in singular.

The corresponding plural form is VICHNI.
The mutual relation KAD VICHNI corresponds to the English every all :
every student all students
every example all examples
every tram all trams
every word all words
kad student vichni studenti

kad pklad vechny pklady
kad tramvaj vechny tramvaje
kad slovo vechna slova
The declension forms of VICHNI :
m. anim.
m. inanim.
N
A
G
D
L
I
VICHNI
VECHNY
f.
VECHNY VECHNY
VECHNY VECHNY
VECH
VEM
VECH
VEMI
n.
VECHNA
VECHNA
Examples:
Singular:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Kad novin ml njakou otzku.

On zn kadou hospodu v Praze.
Ona o tom pe v kadm dopise.
Nevm, jestli se to kadmu hod.
Kad okno bylo oteven.
Kad lovk m njak problmy.
V kad kapse mm njak papry.
Rozumte kadmu slovu ?
Every (each) journalist had a question.

He knows every pub in Prague.
She writes about it in every letter.
I dont know whether it suits everyone.
Every (each) window was open.
Every man has some problems.
I have some papers in every (each) pocket.
Do you understand every word ?
The same sentences in plural:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Vichni novini mli njak otzky.

On zn vechny hospody v Praze.
Ona o tom pe ve vech dopisech.
Nevm, jestli se vm to vem hod.
Vechna okna byla oteven.
Vichni lid maj njak problmy.
Ve vech kapsch mm njak papry.
Rozumte vem slovm v t vt?
www.factumcz.cz
197
All the journalists had some questions.

He knows all pubs in Prague.
She writes about it in all letters.
I dont know whether it suits all of you.
All windows were open.
All people have some problems.
I have some papers in all pockets.
Do you understand all the words in the
sentence ?
VECHNO
The singular form VECHNO corresponds to the English all, everything.
It is treated as neuter and it is inflected in the following way:
N
A
G
D
L
I
VECHNO
VECHNO
VEHO
VEMU
VEM
VM
Examples:
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
To je vechno.
ekl jsem vm vechno.
To dt se boj veho.
Rozumte vemu?
Mluvili jsme o vem.
J jsem spokojen se vm.
Thats all.
I told you all (everything).
The child is afraid of everything.
Do you understand everything?
We talked about everything.
Im satisfied with everything.
198
56
ADJECTIVAL INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Not all of the following words -with adjectival declension- are rated as indefinite pronouns in
Czech grammar, but the situation may look different in comparison with English. In any case,
they express various kinds and degrees of identity, difference, definitness, indefinitness.
NJAK
Potebujeme njak velk taky.
etl jste njakou eskou knihu?
Tady je njak kl.
Mte njak otzky?
Byl to Michal? Ne, to byl (njak) jin kolega.
some, any, a ( indefinite)

We need some large bags.
Have you read a / any Czech book?
Here is a key. (unknown, unidentified)
Have you any questions? (any at all)
Was it M.? No, it was another colleague..
NKTER
Nkter den pojedu do Brna.
Nkter filmy v televizi jsou vborn.
Nkte lidi mysl, e to nen dleit.
Nkter esk silnice jsou velmi patn.
some (of a -more or less- limited number)

Ill go to Brno some day.
Some TV films are excellent.
Some people think that it isnt important.
Some Czech roads are very bad.
JIN
Je to stejn otzka jako minule?
Ne, to je jin otzka.
Dnes mm jin auto ne vera.
another, different
Is it the same question as last time?
No, its another (a different) question.
I have another car today than yesterday.
the same as x different from
STEJN JAKO x JIN NE

(ten) DRUH (mostly in singular)
Je tohle vae kancel? Ne. Moje kancel je
ta druh.
Je to pan Jelnek? Ne, to je ten druh pn.
the other
Is this your office?
No. My office is the other one.
Is this Mr J.? No, thats the other
gentleman.
OSTATN (only in plural)

Dva novini byli ei, ostatn byli cizinci.
the others
Two (of the) journalists were Czechs, the
others were foreigners.
RZN (in plural only, i.e.

rzn, rzn, rzn)
Novini mli rzn otzky.
Ve filmu hrli rzn et herci.
Vidl jsem rzn ciz msta.
Na stole jsou, slovnky, papry, pera a
rzn jin vci.
various
www.factumcz.cz
The journalists asked various questions.

Various Czech actors played in the film.
I have seen various foreign towns.
There are dictionaries, papers, pens and
various other things on the desk.
199
Notice also the pronouns corresponding to the English

who else, someone else, nobody else,
what else, something else, nothing else
N
A
G
D
L
I
who else
kdo jin
koho jinho
koho jinho
komu jinmu
(o) kom jinm
km jinm
N
A
G
D
L
I
what else
co jinho
co jinho
eho jinho
emu jinmu
(o) em jinm
m jinm
someone else
nkdo jin
nkoho jinho
nkoho jinho
nkomu jinmu
(o) nkom jinm
nkm jinm
something else
nco jinho
nco jinho
neho jinho
nemu jinmu
(o) nem jinm
nm jinm
nobody else
nikdo jin
nikoho jinho
nikoho jinho
nikomu jinmu
(o) nikom jinm
nikm jinm
nothing else
nic jinho
nic jinho
nieho jinho
niemu jinmu
(o) niem jinm
nim jinm
Examples:
Kdo jin to v?
Nikdo jin to nev.
Koho jinho ses na to ptal?
Komu jinmu jsi to ekla?
Neekla jsem to nikomu jinmu.
Koho jinho jsi tam vidla?
Poprosm o pomoc nkoho jinho.
Nikoho jinho nepros. J ti pomu.
Mn se to lb, nkomu jinmu ne.
Nechci slyet o nikom jinm.
Nemluv o tom s nikm jinm.
Me tam jet s nkm jinm.
Who else knows it?

No one else knows it.
Whom else did you ask about it?
Whom else did you tell?
I didnt tell anyone else.
Whom else did you see there?
Ill ask someone else to help me.
Dont ask anybody else. Ill help you.
I like it, some others dont.
I dont want to hear about anyone else.
Dont speak about it with anybody else.
You can go there with someone else.
Co jinho se ti tam lbilo?

Nic jinho nechci.
To je nco jinho.
emu jinmu se smje?
Co jinho bych ml dlat?
Nemu vm ct nic jinho.
Mohli bychom mluvit o nem jinm?
O em jinm chce mluvit?
Oni nemluvili o niem jinm.
Ona niemu jinmu nev.
m jinm se d otevt ta krabice?
Ta krabice se ned otevt nim jinm.
What else did you like there?

I didnt want anything else.
Thats something else.
What else are you laughing at?
What else should I do?
I cant tell you anything else.
Could we talk about something else?
What else do you want to talk about?
They didnt talk about anything else.
She doesnt believe anything else.
What else can the box be opened with?
The box cant be opened with anything else.
www.factumcz.cz
200
57
NEGATIVE PRONOUNS AND ADVERBS

Zporn zjmena a pslovce
NIKDO
NIC
DN
NIKDY
NIKDE
NIKAM
NIJAK
nobody
nothing
no (followed by a noun)
never
nowhere
nowhere (to no place)
in no way
THESE WORDS ARE ALWAYS CONNECTED WITH

NEGATIVE VERB FORM,
WHICH RESULTS IN DOUBLE NEGATION,
SOMETIMES EVEN MULTIPLE NEGATION.
Examples:
Nikdo nen dokonal.
J jsem tam nikoho nevidl.
Nic se nestalo.
J nemu nic ct.
On se nebl nieho.
dn pravidlo nen bez vjimky.
Nikdy jsem nebyl v Austrlii.
Ten kl nikde nen.
J nikam nepjdu.
To se ned nijak vysvtlit.
Nikde nebyl dn taxk.
J jsem nikdy nikde nic neztratil.
www.factumcz.cz
Nobody is perfect.
I saw nobody there.
Nothing happened.
I cant say anything.
He wasnt afraid of anything.
No rule is without exception.
I have never been to Australia.
The key isnt anywhere.
I wont go anywhere.
It cant be explained in any way.
3 negations
There wasnt any taxi anywhere.
I have never lost anything anywhere. 4 negations
201
SELECTED TYPES OF CLAUSES NOT MENTIONED SO FAR

THE CONJUNCTION ABY
Spojka ABY
58
This -frequently used- conjunction is inflected according to number and person:

(j)
ABYCH
(ty)
ABYS
(on, ona, ono) ABY
(my)
ABYCHOM
(vy)
ABYSTE
(oni, ony, ona) ABY
It is always followed by the appropriate form of past participle without regard to the
temporal relations in the particular situation.
Avoid the frequent foreigners mistake of using infinitive or other verb forms !!!
Examples:
bt
mt
vdt
j male
j female
ty male
ty female
on
ona
ono, to
my m.anim.
my f.
vy pl. m.anim.
vy pl. f.
oni
ony
ona
abych byl
abych byla
abys byl
abys byla
aby byl
aby byla
aby bylo
abychom byli
abychom byly
abyste byli
abyste byly
aby byli
aby byly
aby byla
abych ml
abych mla
abys ml
abys mla
aby ml
aby mla
aby mlo
abychom mli
abychom mly
abyste mli
abyste mly
aby mli
aby mly
aby mla
abych vdl
abych vdla
abys vdl
abys vdla
aby vdl
aby vdla
aby vdlo
abychom vdli
abychom vdly
abyste vdli
abyste vdly
aby vdli
aby vdly
aby vdla
vy sg. male
vy sg.female
abyste byl
abyste byla
abyste ml
abyste mla
abyste vdl
abyste vdla
Examples:
Musm jt rychle, abych piel / pila vas.
Mus jt rychle, abys piel / pila vas.
Mus jt rychle, aby piel vas.
Mus jt rychle, aby pila vas.
Musme jt rychle, abychom pili vas.
Muste jt rychle, abyste pili vas.
Mus jt rychle, aby pili vas.
Muste jt rychle, abyste piel / pila vas.
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I must go fast, so as to come in time.

You
He
She
We
You
They
You (one person vykn)
202
Reflexive verbs in 2nd person singular use the forms aby ses, aby sis.
Vezmu si baterku, abych se nebl. (j)

Vezmi si baterku, aby ses nebl.
(ty)
Uku vm jet jin modely, abyste si mohla
vybrat.
(vy)
Uku ti jet jin modely, aby sis mohla
vybrat.
(ty)
Chce, abychom se na to podvali? (my)
Chtl bych, aby ses na to podval.
(ty
Ill take a flashlight so as not to be afraid.

Take a flashlight so as not to be afraid.
I l show you some more models, so that you
can make your choice.
I l show you somemore models, so that you
can make your choice.
Do you want us to have a look at it?
I would like you to have a look at it.
The conjunction ABY is used

a:
IN FINAL CLAUSES
Poslouchm rdio, abych vdl, co se dje.
Im listening to the radio so as to know whats

going on.
Poslouchej rdio, abys vdl, co se dje.
Listen to the radio so as to know whats
going on (so that you might know whats
going on)..
J ti to slo napu, abys ho nezapomnla.
Ill write the number (for you), so that you
shouldnt forget it.
ekla to nahlas, aby to vichni slyeli.
She said it aloud, so that everyone might hear
it.
Musme u jt, abychom nepili pozd.
We must go now, so as no to be late.
Ztra vm to pinesu, abyste se na to podval. Ill bring it to you tomorrow, so that you
might have a look at it.
Zstanu tady s dtmi, abyste mohli jt do
Ill stay here with the children, so that you
divadla.
could go to the theatre.
On to ekl jen proto, aby ses smla.
He said it just for you to laugh.
Mohl byste rozsvtit, abychom to lpe vidli? Could you switch on the light so that we might
see it better?
Musm tu gramatiku kad den opakovat,
I must repeat the grammar every day in order
abych se ji nauil.
to learn it.
Zavete dvee, aby ns nikdo neslyel.
Close the door lest anybody should hear us.,
Spchme, abychom stihli autobus.
We are in a hurry to catch our bus.
Vezmi si tenhle kabt, aby ti nebyla zima.
Put on this coat so as not to be cold.
km to te, abychom se potom vyhnuli
Im mentioning it now so as to avoid any
njakmu nedorozumn.
further misunderstanding.
Vezmu si mapu, abych to msto nael.
Ill take a map so as to find the place.
Oni si vzali mapu, aby to msto nali.
They have taken a map so as to find the place
(so that they could find the place).
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b: IN OBJECT CLAUSES AFTER CERTAIN VERBS , e.g.

chtt
want
potebovat
need
pt si
wish
radit poradit
advise
prosit poprosit
beg, ask
dat podat
request
navrhovat navrhnout
suggest, propose
Chci, abys to ekl jet jednou.

Chceme, aby to kad vdl.
Chcete, abych tam el?
Chtj, abychom na n pokali.
Potebuju, abys tady zstal.
Radm ti, abys to nedlal.
Pejete si, abychom vm to poslali?
Prosm t, abys o tom s nikm nemluvili.
Prosme, abyste tady nekouili.
dme vs, abyste ihned odeli..
Navrhuji, abychom skonili.
Mu vs poprosit, abyste tady pokali?
I want you to say it once more.

We want everyone to know it.
Do you want me to go there?
They want us to wait for them.
I need you to stay here.
I advise you not to do it.
Do you wish that we send it to you?
I beseech you not to mention it to anybody.
We request (ask you) no to smoke here.
We request you to leave immediately.
I suggest that we should finish.
May I ask you to wait here?
c: IN OBJECT CLAUSES AS A MEDIATED REQUEST

(see also chapter 60 Verb tense in the indirect speech):
Petr k, abys tam nechodil.
(= Petr k, e tam nem chodit.)
J jsem vm kal, abyste to nedlali.
ekneme jim, aby pili ztra.
Eva kala, abys na ni pokala.
Oni kali, abychom jeli tmhle vlakem.
editel jim ekl, aby pipravili novou
smlouvu.
Kdo ti kal, abys to dlal?
www.factumcz.cz
Peter says that you should not go there.

I told not to do it.
Well tell them to come tomorrow.
Eve said that you should wait for her.
They said that we should take this train.
The manager told them to prepare a new
contract.
Who told you to do that?
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59
OBJECT CLAUSES WITH ABY, E AND THE INFINITIVE

Pedmtn vty se spojkami E, ABY a s infinitivem
Foreign learners are often confused by using the prepositions ABY, E and the infinitive
constructions in object clauses.
Without any detailed systematic clasification, the following paragraphs introduce a few basic
facts illustrated by examples.
A: same person vs. different persons:
the same person
chtt
infinitive
potebovat
infinitive
pt si
infinitive
Examples:
Chci to udlat.
I want to do it.
Chci, abys to udlal.
I want you to do it.
Pejeme si tam jt taky.
We wish to go there too.
Pejete si, abychom tam li s vmi?
Do you wish us to go there with you?
Potebujeme to vidt te hned.
We need to see it right now.
Potebujeme, abyste to taky vidli.
We wish you to see it too.
Jana tady nechce zstat.
Jane doesnt want to stay here.
Jana nechce, aby tady Petr zstal.
Jane doesnt want Peter to stay here.
B: Notice also the folowing constructions:
Mu vm pomoct?
Can I help you?
Chcete, abych vm pomohl?
= Mm vm pomoct?
Do you want me to help you?
= Shall I help you?
Pejete si, abych vm pomohl?
Do you wish that I should help you?
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205
different persons
abych, abys, aby
abych, abys, aby
abych, abys, aby
II
I you
we we
you us
we we
we - you
she she
she - him
C: Statement vs. Request
kat ct
tell
volat zavolat
ring up
vzkazovat vzkzat
leave a message
pipomnat pipomenout
remind
pst napsat
write (and let know)
mailovat
mail
nkomu (Dat.),
sb.
nkomu (Dat.),
sb.
nkomu (Dat.),
for sb.
nkomu (Dat.),
sb.
nkomu (Dat.),
sb.
nkomu (Dat.),
sb.
(a) statement
(b) request
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
e (+ Indicative)
aby (= e + mt)
Examples:
Petr kal,
e se mu ten film moc lbil. (a)

abys k nmu veer piel. (b)
= e k nmu m veer pijt. (b)
statement
request
Lenka ti volala,
e ten koncert zan u v pl sedm. (a)

abys na ni pokal u koly. (b)
= e na ni m pokat u koly. (b)
statement
request
Tom vm vzkazuje,
e se vrt ztra veer. (a)

abyste na nj dnes neekali. (b)
= e na nj dnes nemte ekat. (b)
statement
request
Eva pipomnla Adamovi,
e jeho bratr m narozeniny.

aby svmu bratrovi koupil drek.
= e m svmu bratrovi koupit drek.
statement
request
Zuzana napsala Mart,
e se v Brn setkala s Helenou. (a)

aby j poslaly ty fotografie. (b)
= e j maj poslat ty fotografie..b)
statement
request
David mi mailoval,
e neme najt kle. (a)

abych mu pomohl hledat kle.
= e mu mm pomoct hledat kle.
statement
request
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206
D: Some verbs can only be followed by the conjunction ABY (never E !!!)
(It is sometimes possible to use an infinitive construction.)
e.g.:
nkomu (Dat.), aby = aby nkdo (Nom.)
dovolovat dovolit
allow, permit
zakazovat - zakzat
prohibit, disallow
pikazovat pikzat
order
rozkazovat rozkzat
command
doporuovat doporuit
recommend
radit - poradit
advise
navrhovat navrhnout
propose, suggest
Examples:
Kdo Petrovi dovolil, aby ten dm prodal?
= Kdo dovolil, aby Petr ten dm prodal?
Who allowed Peter to sell the house?
Matka zakzala dtem, aby se dvaly na televizi.
= Matka zakzala, aby se dti dvaly na televizi.
Mother didnt allow the children to watch TV.
Policie pikzala idii, aby zastavil.
= Policie pikzala, aby idi zastavil.
= Policie pikzala idii zastavit.
The police ordered the driver to stop.
Lka doporuil pacientovi, aby zstal v posteli,
= Lka doporuil, aby pacient zstal v posteli.
= Lka doporuil pacientovi zstat v posteli.
The doctor recommended the patient to stay in bed.
Ministr zahrani poradil prezidentovi, aby tam nejezdil.
= Ministr zahrani poradil, aby tam prezident nejezdil.
The foreign secretary advised the president not to travel there.
Studenti navrhli uiteli, aby se podval do slovnku.
= Studenti navrhli, aby se uitel podval do slovnku
The students advised the teacher to consult a dictionary.
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60
VERB TENSE IN INDIRECT SPEECH

Slovesn as v nepm ei
Temporal relations in indirect speech (also called quoted or reported speech) are expressed in
a different way than in English if the projecting clause is situated to the past.
In relation to the process of the projecting clause,
the present tense (ptomn as) in the reported speech expresses a simultaneous process,
the past tense (minul as) in the reported speech expresses a preceeding process,
the future tense (budouc as) in the reported speech expresses a following process.
Tom kal, e na tebe ek na ndra.
Tom said that he was waiting for you at the station.
Tom kal, e na tebe ekal na ndra, ale kdy jsi nepiel, tak jel dom.
Tom said that he had been waiting for you at the station,
but as you didnt come, he went home.
Tom kal, e na tebe bude ekat v pl devt na ndra.
Tom said that he would be waiting for you at the station at half past eight.
DIRECT SPEECH
INDIRECT SPEECH
Declarative - present
On k: Bydlm v Praze.
On k, e bydl v Praze
He says: I live in Prague.
He says that he lives in Prague.
On k: Bydlel jsem v Praze.
On k, e bydlel v Praze
He says: I lived in Prague.
He says that he lived in Prague.
On k: Budu bydlet v Praze.
On k, e bude bydlet v Praze.
He says: I will live in Prague
He says that he will live in Prague.
Declarative - past
On ekl, e bydl vPraze.
On ekl: Bydlm v Praze.
He said that he lived in Prague.
He said: I live in Prague.
On ekl: Bydlel jsem v Praze.
On ekl, e bydlel v Praze.
He said that he had lived in Prague.
He said: I lived in Prague.
On ekl: Budu bydlet v Praze.
On ekl, e bude bydlet v Praze.
He said: I will live in Prague.
He said that he would live in Prague.
Interrogative (yes-no) - present
On se t pt: te tu knihu?
He asks you: Are you reading the book?
On se t pt: etl jsi tu knihu?
He asks you: Have you read the book?
On se t pt: Bude st tu knihu??
He asks you: Will you read the book?
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On se t pt, jestli te tu knihu.

He aks you whether you are reading the book.
On se t pt, jestli jsi etl tu knihu.
He aks you whether you had read the book
On se t pt, jestli bude st tu knihu.
He aks you whether you will read the book
208
Interrogative (yes-no) - past

On se t ptal: te tu knihu?
On se t ptal, jestli te tu knihu.
He asked you:Are you reading the book?
He aked whether you were reading the book
On se t ptal. etl jsi tu knihu?
On se t ptal, jestli jsi etl tu knihu.
He asked you: Have you read the book?
He asked whether you had read the book
On se t ptal: Bude st tu knihu?
On se t ptal, jestli bude st tu knihu.
He asked you: Will you read the book?
He aked whether you would read the book
The examples of indirect imperative clauses offer even a chance of comparing the temporal
and modal interrelations of the conjunction ABY and the verb MT in its modal function.
DIRECT SPEECH
Imperative - present
INDIRECT SPEECH
On mi k: Napi to esky.
He tells me: Write it in Czech.
On mi k, abych to napsal esky.

On mi k, e to mm napsat esky.
He tells me to write it in Czech.
He says that I should write it in Czech.
On ti k: Dej to na stl.
He tells you: Put it on the table.
On ti k, abys to dal na stl.

On ti k, e to m dt na stl
He tells you to put it on the table.
He says that you should put it on the table.
On mu k: Pokej na m.
He tells him: Wait for me.
On mu k, aby na nj pokal.
On mu k, e na nj m pokat.
He tells him to wait for him.
He says that he should wait for him.
On nm k: Zstate doma.
He tells us: Stay at home.
On nm k, abychom zstali doma.

On nm k, e mme zstat doma.
He tells us to stay at home.
He says that we should stay at home.
On vm k: Nedlejte to.
He tells you: Dont do that.
On vm k, abyste to nedlali.
On vm k, e to nemte dlat.
He tells you not to do that.
He says that you shouldnt do that.
On jim k: Nejezdte autem.

He tells them: Dont drive the car.
On jim k, aby nejezdili autem.

On jim k, e nemaj jezdit autem.
He tells them not to drive the car.
He says that they shouldnt drive the car.
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209
DIRECT SPEECH
INDIRECT SPEECH
Imperative - past
On mi ekl: Napi to esky.

He told me: Write it in Czech.
On mi ekl, abych to napsal esky.

On mi ekl, e to mm napsat esky.
He told me to write it in Czech.
He said that I should write it in Czech.
On ti ekl: Dej to na stl.

He told you: Put it on the table.
On ti ekl, abys to dal na stl.

On ti ekl , e to m dt na stl
He told you to put it on the table.
He said that you should put it on the table.
On mu ekl: Pokej na m.
He told him: Wait for me.
On mu ekl, aby na nj pokal.

On mu ekl, e na nj m pokat.
He told him to wait for him.
He said that he should wait for him.
On nm ekl: Zstate doma.

He told us: Stay at home.
On nm ekl, abychom zstali doma.

On nm ekl, e mme zstat doma.
He told us to stay at home.
He said that we should stay at home.
On vm ekl: Nedlejte to.

He told you: Dont do that.
On vm ekl, abyste to nedlali.

On vm ekl, e to nemte dlat.
He told you not to do that.
He said that you shouldnt do that.
On jim ekl: Nejezdte autem.

He told them: Dont drive the car.
On jim ekl, aby nejezdili autem.

On jim ekl, e nemaj jezdit autem.
He told them not to drive the car.
He said that they shouldnt drive the car.
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61
TEMPORAL CLAUSES AND TEMPORAL PREPOSITIONS

Vedlej asov vty a pedloky asovch vztah
The temporal relations preceding simultaneous following may frequently be expressed

either by verb tenses and the appropriate verb aspect (see Chapter 16), or by prepositions.
(Foreign learners are influenced by the English non-finite ING-forms and they are often
unable to keep apart the two types of Czech constructions, which may result in various
misunderstandings.) The basic principles can be illustrated (in a rather simplified way) like
this:
Conjunction + Aspect
Preposition + Case
NE (=DV NE ) + Perfective verb
PED + Instrumental
before
KDY + Imperfective verb
PI + Locative
during
KDY + Perfective verb
PO + Locative
after
Each pair of the following examples shows the same situation expressed
(a) as a complex sentence with subordinate temporal clase,
(b) as a simple sentence containing prepositional temporal adverbial:
PRECEDING ACTION
1a:
Ne (=Dv ne) zapne ten pstroj,

peti si cel nvod.
1b: Ped zapnutm toho pstroje
si peti cel nvod.
Before you switch on the device,

read the whole instruction.
Before switching on the device
read the whole instruction.
2a:
Ne zaalo pedstaven,
bylo divadlo pln.
2b: Ped zatkem pedstaven
bylo divadlo pln.
Before the performance started,

the theatre was full
Before the beginning of the performance
the theatre was full.
3a:
Ne jsem usnul,
poslouchal jsem hudbu.
3b: Ped usnutm
jsem poslouchal hudbu.
Before I fell asleep,

I (had) listened to music.
Before falling asleep
I (had) listened to music.
4a:
Ne piel editel,
zamstnanci si vypravovali vtipy.
4b: Ped pchodem editele
si zamstnanci vypravovali vtipy.
Before the director arrived,

the employees were telling jokes
Before the arrival of the director
the employees were telling jokes
5a:
Before you leave the house,

check the doors and the windows.
Before leaving the house
check the doors and the windows.
Ne odejde z domu,
zkontroluj dvee a okna
5b: Ped odchodem z domu
zkontroluj dvee a okna
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211
SIMULTANEOUS ACTION
6a:
6b:
7a.
7b:
8a:
8b:
9a:
9b:
A budu pst ten lnek,

mu pouvat internet?
Pi psan toho lnku
mu pouvat internet?
When I write the paper,

may I use the internet?
While writing the paper
may I use the internet?
Kdy idi pedjdl,

nepodval se do zrctka.
Pi pedjdn
se idi nepodval do zrctka.
While the driver was overtaking,

he didnt look at the mirror.
While overtaking
the driver didnt look at the mirror.
Kdy chce pejt ulici,

mus ekat na zelenou.
Pi pechzen ulice
mus ekat na zelenou.
When you want to cross the street,

you have to wait for the green (light).
When crossing the street
you have to wait for the green (light).
Kdy jsme oslavovali jeho narozeniny, While we were celebrating his birthday,
vypili jsme nkolik lahv vna.
we drank up several bottles of wine.
While celebrating his birthday
Pi oslav jeho narozenin
jsme vypili nkolik lahv vna.
we drank up several bottles of wine.
10a: Kdy se Petr hol,

vdycky si v koupeln zpv.
10b: Pi holen
si Petr vdycky v koupeln zpv.
When Peter is shaving,

he is always singing in the bathroom.
While shaving
Peter is always singing in the bathroom.
FOLLOWING ACTION
11a: Kdy jsem piletl do Ruzyn,
zavolal jsem Katce.
11b: Po pletu do Ruzyn
jsem zavolal Katce.
When I had arrived at Ruzyn,

I rang up Kate.
After arrival at Ruzyn (Prague airport)
I rang up Kate.
12a. A se vrtm z Londna,

pijdu t navtvit.
12b: Po nvratu z Londna
t pijdu navtvit.
When I have returned from London

Ill come to see you.
After returning from London
Ill come to see you.
13a: Kdy jsem nastoupil do vlaku,

dval jsem se z okna.
13b: Po nastoupen do vlaku
jsem s dval z okna.
When I had got on the train,

I was looking out of the window.
After getting on the train,
I was looking out of the window.
14a: A skonm tuhle prci,

pjdu dom.
14b: Po skonen thle prce
pjdu dom.
When I have finished this job,

Ill go home.
After finishing this job
Ill go home.
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212
REMARKS:
Mind the different use of cases caused by different syntactic relations:

Ne zapne
Before you switch on
Ped zapnutm
Before (the) switching on
A skonm
When I have finished
Po skonen
After (the) finishing
Kdy jsme oslavovali
When we were celebrating
Pi oslav
During the celebration
ten pstroj,
ACCUSATIVE (object)
the device
toho pstroje
GENITIVE (attribute)
(of ) the device
tuhle prci,
ACCUSATIVE (object)
this work
thle prce
(of) this work
jej narozeniny,
ACCUSATIVE (object)
her biirthday
jejch narozenin
of her birthday
Remember that the temporal conjunction (Engl. when)

is KDY for present and past,
A for the future !
A s nm bude mluvit,
ekni mu to.
When you talk to him,

tell him (that).
A pojedu do Brna,
podvm se na to.
When I travel to Brno,

Ill have a look at it.
(See also the sentences 6 and 12 above.)
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62
TEMPORAL CONJUNCTIONS (selected)

asov spojky (vbr)
The Czech equivalents of the English WHEN:

KDY
a: as an interrogative adverb
b: as a conjunction in object clauses
Examples:
a:
Kdy zan ten film?
Kdy jste se narodil?
Kdy se to stalo?
b:
When does the film begin?

When were you born?
When did it happen?
Nepamatuji se, kdy jsem to vidl.

Nevm, kdy se vrtm.
Zeptej se ho, kdy m Petr narozeniny.
I dont remember when I saw it.

I dont know when I will be back.
Ask him about the date of Peters birthday.
KDY
as a temporal conjunction concerning the present and the past
Examples:
Kdy mluvm esky, dlm hodn chyb. When I speak Czech, I make lots of mistakes.
Kdy jsme tam byli, nieho zvltnho
When we were there, we didnt notice
jsme si nevimli.
anything special.
Kdy v jeho zemi vypukla vlka, bylo
When the war broke up in his country, he
mu deset let.
was ten years.
A
as a temporal conjunction concerning the future
Examples:
A pt pojedu do Prahy, tak ti to
When I travel to Prague next tim, Ill buy it
koupm.
for you.
Udlm to, a budu mt vc asu.
Ill do it when I have more time.
A to nape, rd bych si to peetl.
When you finish writing it, Id ike to read it.
KDY
as a conditional conjunction, equal to JESTLI(E)
Examples:
Kdy (= Jestli) nemu nerozum, tak se If you dont understand anything, you can
zeptej.
just ask.
Kdy (= Jestli) se ti ten film nelb,
If you dont like the film, we can switch off
meme vypnout televizi.
the TV.
Kdy (= Jestli) budu moct, pijedu
If I can, Ill arrive on Saturday.
v sobotu.
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Distinguish:
temporal relations:
KDY to pu,
KDY jsem to psal
KDY jsem to napsal
A to budu pst,
A to napu,
When Im writing it,

When I was writing it,
When I had written it,
When I write it, (in future)
When I have written it, (in
future)
Present
Past imperf. verb
Past perf. verb
Future imperf verb
Future perf. verb
temporal, object, conditional relations:

Zavolm ti, A se vrtm.
Ill ring you up,

when I come back.
Ill ring you up
and let you know when Ill come back.
If I come back,
Ill ring you up.
Zavolm ti, KDY se vrtm.

KDY (= JESTLI) se vrtm, zavolm ti.
Other temporal conjunctions:

ZATMCO
WHILE
Zatmco budete ekat, mete si

prohldnout tyhle fotografie.
Zatmco dti byly ve kole, ona uklidila
cel byt.
JAKMILE ( = HNED JAK)
As soon as I know it, Ill ring you up.

As soon as you cross the bridge, turn
right.
BEFORE
Dv ne nco ekne, peti si tenhle

dopis.
Ne jsem si koupil lstek, byl vlak pry.
www.factumcz.cz
While the children were at school, she

tidied the whole flat.
AS SOON AS
Jakmile to budu vdt, zavolm ti

= Hned jak to budu vdt, zavolm ti.
Jakmile pejedete most, zahnte
doprava.
= Hned jak pejedete most, zahnte
doprava.
NE = DV(E) NE
While you wait, you can view these photos.
Before you say anything, read this letter.

Before I bought the ticket, the train was
away.
215
DOKUD
AS LONG AS
Dokud dti sp, meme sedt na

balkn.
Dokud jsem ml dost penz, mohl jsem
si to dovolit.
As long as the children are sleeping, we

can sit at the balcony.
As long as I had enough money, I could
afford it.
DOKUD NE
TILL, UNTIL
connected with negative verb form
Dokud nedostaneme vai odpov,
musme pokat.
Dokud se t nikdo nept, tak o tom
nemluv.
We must wait till we get your anwer.

Dont speak about it till (before) anybody
asks you.
TEMPORAL PREPOSITIONS PED , ZA

preceding
PED + Instrumental
following
ZA + Accusative
ped chvl
za chvli
a while ago
ped hodinou
an hour ago
ped dvma hodinami
two hours\ago
ped temi dny
three days ago
ped tdnem
a week ago
ped mscem
a month ago
ped pti msci
five months ago
ped rokem
a year ago
ped nkolika roky / lety
a few years ago
in a while
za hodinu
in (after) an hour
za dv hodiny
in (after) two hours
za ti dny
in (after) three days
za tden
in (after) a week
za msc
in (after) a month
za pt msc
in (after) five months
za rok
in (after) a year
za nkolik rok /let
in (after) a few years
www.factumcz.cz
216
63
MISCELLANEOUS
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
AND CONNECTING EXPRESSIONS
A
I
JAK TAK
NEBO
BU NEBO
JEDNAK JEDNAK
NA JEDN STRAN
NA DRUH STRAN
ALE
NEJEN ALE I
DOKONCE
TAK
TAKE
TEDY
PROTO
PROTOE
PESTO
KROM TOHO = MIMO TO
MSTO TOHO
NAPROTI TOMU
V TOM PPAD
V OPANM PPAD
V DNM PPAD
VLASTN
PECE
NICMN
(rather bookish)
ZAPRV ZADRUH - ZATET
AND
AND ALSO, EVEN
BOTH AND
OR
EITHER OR
PARTLY PARTLY
ON THE ONE HAND
ON THE OTHER HAND
BUT
NOT ONLY BUT ALSO
EVEN
SO, (CONSEQUENTLY)
SO THAT
SO THAT
THATS WHY
BECAUSE
IN SPITE OF IT
BESIDES THAT
-
ON THE OTHER HAND
IN THAT CASE
IN THE OPPOSITE CASE
IN NO CASE
AS A MATER OF FACT
YET, STILL,
NEVERTHELESS
FOR THE FIRST FOR THE
SECOND FOR THE THIRD
(The English equivalents are only approximate.)

FREQUENT ABBREVIATIONS
written
pronounced
atd.
tj.
aj.
apod.
zvl.
a tak dle
to je, to jest
a jin
a podobn
zvlt
www.factumcz.cz
etc.
i.e.
and other(s)
and similarly
viz.
217
Examples:
Petr je ve kole a Jana pracuje.
Budu doma v sobotu i v nedli.
Peter is at school and Jane is working.

Ill be at home on Saturday and even on
Sunday.
On to ovld jak teoreticky, tak prakticky. He masters it both in theory and in
practice.
Dte si kvu nebo aj?
Will you have coffee or tea?
Mete mluvit bu esky nebo anglicky
You can speak either Czech or English.
Odpovdl jsem jak mailem, tak
I answered both by e-mail and by SMS.
esemeskou
Na jedn stran je to zajmav, ale na
On the one hand, its interesting, but on
druh stran to nen pln pesn.
the other hand, its not quite accurate.
Nemm dost penz, tak si to nemu
I dont have enough money, so I cant
koupit.
buy it.
Nemm dost penz, take si to nemu
-koupit.
Nemm dost penz, nemu si to tedy
-koupit.
Mm vechno hotovo, take si te mu
I have done all my work, so I can take a
odpoinout.
rest now.
U je dost pozd, a proto se vmi
Its rather late, thats why Ill say
rozloum.
goodbye.
Ml jsem na sob svetr, a pesto mi byla I was wearing a sweater, and yet I was
zima
cold.
J jsem mu volal, ale on neodpovdal.
I was ringing him up, but he didnt
answer.
Prelo nejen v pondl, ale i v ter.
It was raining not only on Monday, but
even on Tuesday.
V test je vborn. Dokonce bez jedin
Your test is excellent. Even without a
chyby.
single mistake.
V tom ppad nemu nic dlat.
In that case, I cant do anything.
V dnm ppad to neudlm.
In no case will I do it.
V opanm ppad budeme muset hledat In the opposite case, well have to look
njak jin een.
for another solution.
V tom textu je hodn chyb a krom toho There are many mistakes in the text, and
(= mimo to) tam pln chyb nkolik
besides that, several words have been
slov.
left out.
erven byl studen, ale naproti tomu
It was cold in June, but in July, on the
v ervenci bylo horko.
contrary, it was hot.
Oni vlastn maj pravdu.
As a matter of fact, they are right.
Vlastn se nic nestalo.
In fact, nothing happened.
Uil jsem se to dva dny, a pece tomu
I was learning it for two days, and yet, I
nerozumm.
dont understand it.
Pece jsem ti to kal.
I did tell you that
www.factumcz.cz
218
WORD ORDER
Slovosled
64
There are strictly fixed rules concerning the number two position of the
enclitics, i.e. auxiliary verbs, reflexive pronouns and unstressed forms of personal pronouns.
This fact was underlined and several times repeated in the pertinent chapters (14, 19, 24, 30),
with lots of examples.
With this exception, the Czech word order is relatively free. The inflected forms
(especially the category of case in nominal parts of speech) are usually sufficient for carrying
the information about the syntactic relations.
An important part is played by the functional sentence perspective, i.e. starting

from the theme (= the known topic) and aiming at the rheme (= the new information) at
the end of a sentence. The functional perspective often functions as an equivalent to the
English category of determination. Compare the following sentences:
(1 a)
syntactic elements
functional perspective
Slovnk
subject
theme
The dictionary
je
Na stole
adverbial
theme
je
is
na stole.
adverbial
rheme
on the table.
(1 b)
syntactic elements
functional perspective
There is
a dictionary
Subject
slovnk.
subject
rheme
on the table
Adverbial
Sentence (1 a) is an adequate answer to the question

(explicit or only implicit)
KDE je slovnk?
=
WHERE is the dictionary?
According to the situation, the definiteness of the dictionary may
(but need not) be supported by the demonstrative pronoun, i.e.
TEN slovnk je na stole.
Sentence (1 b) is an adequate answer to the question
(explicit or only implicit)
CO je na stole?
=
WHAT is it on the table??
According to the situation, the indefiniteness of a dictionary may
(but need not) be supported by the indefinite pronoun , i.e.
Na stole je NJAK slovnk.
www.factumcz.cz
219
The word order flexibility can be illustrated by the following sentence consisting of
syntactic subject, finite verb, object, spatial adverbial, temporal adverbial.
Veronika
subject
visited
Vfin
Clara
object
in Prague
spatial adv.
last week
temporal adv.
The Czech translation may use the same word order as English, i.e.
Veronika
navtvila
Klru
v Praze
minulou sobotu.
This, however, is not the only possibility. Other variations are used quite frequently
depending on the functional scale connected with the cohesion and coherence of the
utterance. The following examples sound quite natural (and the remaining permutations
cannot be eliminated either.)
Veronika
Veronika
Veronika
V Praze
Minulou sobotu
Klru
Klru
Minulou sobotu
Klru
Minulou sobotu
navtvila
minulou sobotu
minulou sobotu
Veronika
Veronika
Veronika
navtvila
navtvila
minulou sobotu
navtvila
minulou sobotu
navtvila
navtvila
minulou sobotu
navtvila
navtvila
minulou sobotu
Klru
navtvila
v Praze
v Praze
v Praze
Klru
navtvila
v Praze
v Praze
v Praze
v Praze
Veronika
Klru
Klru.
Klru.
v Praze.
Klru.
Klru.
minulou sobotu.
Veronika.
Veronika.
v Praze.
Veronika.
Compare also the relations of passive constructions (using the same example
that was introduced in chapter 48, Passive Voice).
ACTIVE:
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
napsal
wrote
Hamleta.
Hamlet.
PASSIVE:
Hamlet
Hamlet
byl napsn
was written
Shakespearem.
by Shakespeare.
There are no differences in word order between Czech and English

in the above mentioned sentences.
In Czech, however, there is a possibility of expressing the changed
functional perspective even in an active construction,
just by means of changing the word order:
ACTIVE:
Hamleta
Accus. (= Object)
napsal
Shakespeare.
Nomin. (= Subject)
The syntactic function of the inflectional forms (accusative nominative)

plays a more important part in expressing the semantic relations than
the word order does.
www.factumcz.cz
220
It should also be mentioned that there are clauses without any subject,
corresponding to the English empty IT subject. Examples:
Its raining
It was raining.
Its looking like rain.
Its snowing.
It was snowing.
Its going to snow.
Its cold.
It was cold.
Its nice weather.
The weather was nice.
Pr.
Prelo.
Bude pret.
Sn.
Snilo.
Bude snit.
Je zima.
Byla zima.
Je hezky.
Bylo hezky.
and some more expressions concerning weather conditions
It may be useful to repeat the unusual expressing of syntactic relations

with the person concerned expressed by the dative Case. (See chapter 30, Dative.)
Tomu novmu editeli
Dative
The new manager
je
tyicet let.
is
forty years.
Ta nov kniha
Nomin. (Subject)
se
m seste
DATIVE
M seste
DATIVE
se moc lbila
moc lbila.
or
ta nov kniha.
Nominative (Subject)
Both of these sentences correspond to the English

My sister liked the new book very much.
It may help to reformulate the English version into
Ta nov kniha
The new book
www.factumcz.cz
se moc lbila
appealed much
221
m seste
to my sister.
WORD FORMATION: SELECTED TOPICS

Tvoen slov: vybran tmata
INTRODUCTORY REMARK
New words are predominantly formed by derivation, i.e. adding suffixes or prefixes to the
basic word.
The derivation of adverbs from adjectives (mostly corresponding to the English suffix -ly)
was described in chapter 39.
The following pages focus on selected topics that can be considered most important from a
non-native users point of view, i.e. the changes of
nouns to nouns
with the subdivision of
female from male
diminutives
numerals to nouns
verb prefixes
65
WORD FORMATION: FEMALE NOUNS from MALE NOUNS
Unlike in English, the nouns denoting profession and nationality make clear distinction
between males and females, the most frequent derivational suffixes being -KA, -ICE, -YN.
masculine
feminine -KA
student
uitel
editel
doktor
profesor
lka
oban
obyvatel
spisovatel
pekladatel
mal
soused
prezident
premir
diplomat
majitel
idi
novin
herec
zpvk
www.factumcz.cz
studentka
uitelka
editelka
doktorka
profesorka
lkaka
obanka
obyvatelka
spisovatelka
pekladatelka
malka
sousedka
prezidentka
premirka
diplomatka
majitelka
idika
novinka
hereka
zpvaka
222
student
teacher
director, directress
doctor
professor
doctor, physician
citizen
inhabitant
writer
translator
painter
neighbour
president
prime minister
diplomat
owner
driver
journalist
actor, actress
singer
cizinec
ech
Slovk
Polk
Rakuan
Nmec
Anglian
Amerian
Rus
Francouz
Ital
panl
Portugalec
Ital
vcar
Holanan
Belgian
Dn
Nor
vd
Islanan
Fin
cizinka
eka
Slovenka
Polka
Rakuanka
Nmka
Anglianka
Amerianka
Ruska
Francouzka
Italka
panlka
Portugalka
Italka
vcarka
Holananka
Belgianka
Dnka
Norka
vdka
Islananka
Finka
masculine
feminine
ptel
kolega
pedseda
ministr
poslanec
velvyslanec
soudce
prvodce
dchodce
ek
Turek
ptelkyn
kolegyn
pedsedkyn
ministryn
poslankyn
velvyslankyn
soudkyn
prvodkyn
dchodkyn
ekyn
Turkyn
masculine
feminine
ednk
dlnk
hudebnk
ednice
dlnice
hudebnice
www.factumcz.cz
foreigner
Czech
Slovak
Pole
Austrian
German
English
American
Russian
French
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Swiss
Dutch
Belgian
Danish
Norwegian
Swedish
Icelander
Finn
-YN
friend
colleague
chairman
minister
Member of Parliament
ambassador
judge
guide
pensioner
Greek
Turk
-ICE
clerk, official
worker
musician
223
Female personal proper names are often derived from the masculine forms by adding
the suffix -A. Examples:
male name
female name
male name
female name
Ivan
Jan
Jaroslav
Martin
Micha(e)l
Ivana
Jana
Jaroslava
Martina
Micha(e)la
Miroslav
Petr
Radek
Roman
Zdenk
Miroslava
Petra
Radka
Romana
Zdeka
FEMALE SURNAMES are mostly formed by adding the suffix -OV.

male
female
pan Novk
Martin Kov
Adam Holas
doktor Musil
pan Novkov
Petra Kovov
Eva Holasov
doktorka Musilov
The noun pan (Mrs., Ms.)

is feminine and remains
unchanged in all cases.
Male names ending in -ek, -el, -ec leave out the vowel -e- in the female forms, e.g.:
pan Horkov
pan Horek
Vclav Havel
Dagmar Havlov
pan profesor Moravec pan profesorka Moravcov
Male names ending in -a leave out the vowel and add the suffix ov, e.g.:
Milo Svoboda
Markta Svobodov
Marek Janota
Tereza Janotov
Miroslav Phoda
Lenka Phodov
If the male surname has the form of adjective, the female surname also uses the
corresponsing adjectival form, e.g.:
pan Vesel
pan Vesel
David ern
Jana ern
pan editel Horeck
pan docentka Horeck
All the female surnames have adjectival declension, e.g.:.
N
A
G
D
L
I
www.factumcz.cz
Jana Tesaov
Janu Tesaovou
Jany Tesaov
Jan Tesaov
Jan Tesaov
Janou Tesaovou
pan doktorka Dlouh

pan doktorku Dlouhou
pan doktorky Dlouh
pan doktorce Dlouh
pan doktorce Dlouh
pan doktorkou Dlouhou
224
The female suffix -ov (i.e. with long -) should not be confused with the suffix of
possessive adjectives (with short -A) i.e. Masarykova ulice Karlova univerzita, etc (See
chapter 43.)
Examples:
MASCULINE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
FEMININE
Rd bych mluvil s panem poslancem.

Nad stolem ml fotografie znmch
herc.
Chvli jsem mluvil se sousedem.
Dostal jsem formul od toho ednka.
Dobr den, pane doktore.
To je pro pana editele.
Oba idii chtli zaparkovat.
Gratuluji vm, pane velvyslane.
Chodil jsem do koly s jeho bratrem.
Byl jsem tam se dvma pteli.
Ven pane pedsedo!
Prosm vs, je tady pan profesor?
Ten spisovatel dostal Nobelovu cenu.
kal mi to jeden znm.
To jsou moji kolegov.
Premir tomu novinovi neodpovdl.
Byli tam dva ei a jeden Nmec.
Jak se jmenuje ten zpvk?
Oba uitel to vidli.
To je dopis od pana Konenho.
www.factumcz.cz
225
Rd bych mluvil s pan poslankyn.

Nad stolem ml fotografie znmch
hereek.
Chvli jsem mluvil se sousedkou.
Dostal jsem formul od t ednice.
Dobr den, pan doktorko.
To je pro pan editelku.
Ob idiky chtly zaparkovat.
Gratuluji vm, pan velvyslankyn.
Chodil jsem do koly s jeho sestrou.
Byl jsem tam se dvma ptelkynmi.
Ven pan pedsedkyn!
Prosm vs, je tady pan profesorka?
Ta spisovatelka dostala Nobelovu cenu.
kala mi to jedna znm.
To jsou moje kolegyn.
Premir t novince neodpovdl.
Byly tam dv eky a jedna Nmka.
Jak se jmenuje ta zpvaka?
Ob uitelky to vidly.
To je dopis od pan Konen.
DIMINUTIVES
Deminutiva = Zdrobnliny
66
Diminutives are nouns indicating smallness.

They are formed by the use of sufffixes, sometimes accompanied by alternations in stem
vowels or consonants.
They often bear the connotation of pleasantness.
The diminutiveness is sometimes doubled, e.g.:
strom
stromek (diminutive)
stromeek (double diminutive)
Using diminutives is frequently connected with emotional attitude which may be
stronger than the size expression.
The following list of examples presents a tentative classification of semantic connotations
a: the diminutive refers mostly to the size; the emotional connotation is not so strong;
-the English equivalents may sometimes be two different nouns, e.g.
ulice = street, ulika = lane,
chodba = corridor, chodbika = aisle
strom
dm
stl
ko
kus
kufr
kl
m
papr
obraz
schod
zahrada
kapsa
eka
chodba
ulice
krabice
sklenice
lhev
dra
chvle
lo
lampa
msto
okno
kolo
dvee
vrata
zrcadlo
www.factumcz.cz
DIMINUTIVE
DOUBLED DIMIN.
stromek
domek
stolek
kok
kousek
kufk
klek
mek
paprek
obrzek
schdek
zahrdka
kapsika
ka
chodbika
ulika
krabika
sklenika
lahvika
drka
chvilka
loka
lampika
msteko
oknko
koleko
dvka
vrtka
zrctko
stromeek
domeek
stoleek
koek
kousek
kufek
chvilika
lodika
226
translation of the
basic form
tree
house
table, desk
basket
bit
suitcase
key
ball
paper
picture
stair
garden
pocket
river
corridor aisle
street lane
box
glass
bottle
hole
while
boat
lamp
town
window
wheel
door
gate
mirror
b: The diminutive forms of a few nouns do not express smallness, but they are synonyms to
the basic nouns. I.e.: These are in fact no diminutivess any longer.
kniha
strana
pse
vejce
slunce
=
=
=
=
=
book
page
song
egg
sun
knka
strnka
psnika
vajko
slunko
c: The meaning of a few diminutives is so far from the basic nouns, that they represent
independent lexical units with different translation to other languages:

veer
k
slovnk
ruka
kola
knihovna
hvzda
ra
evening
horse
dictionary
hand, arm
school
library; bookcase
star
line
verek
konek
slovnek
ruka, ruika
kolka
knihovnika
hvzdika
rka
evening party
hobby
vocabulary
pointer, needle (of a device)
nursery
small bookcase
asterisk
1:comma,
2:length mark of the Czech
vowels
d: The emotional connotation prevails strongly over the expression of smallness.

This type of diminutives is used by adults talking to children (sometimes excessively).
It occurs even in the adultsspeech, with various connotations:
vlak
auto
ptk
bratr
sestra
pes
postel
koile
hospoda
mlko
voda
pivo
dt
zve
svtlo
vc
www.factumcz.cz
train
car
bird
brother
sister
dog
bed
shirt
pub
milk
water
beer
child
animal
light
thing
vlek
autko
ptek
bratek
sestika
pejsek
postlka
koilka
hospdka
mlko
vodika
piveko
dtko
zvtko
svtlko
vcika
227
NUMERALS USED AS NOUNS

Substantivizovan slovky
67
When telling the number of tram, bus, hotel room, school mark, value a banknote, number of
a player etc., etc., the numeral is often used in the form of a noun.
It is possible to say both
slo jedna, slo dv ,slo deset, slo patnct, slo ticet pt
(number one, number two, number ten, number fifteen, number thirty-five) and
jednika, dvojka, destka, patnctka, ptatictka.
numeral
NOUN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
jeden / jedna / jedno

dva / dv
ti
tyi
pt
est
sedm
osm
devt
deset
jedenct
dvanct
tinct
trnct
patnct
estnct
sedmnct
osmnct
devatenct
dvacet
jednika
dvojka
trojka
tyka
ptka
estka
sedmika
osmika
devtka
destka
jedenctka
dvanctka
tinctka
trnctka
patnctka
estnctka
sedmnctka
osmnctka
devatenctka
dvactka
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
ticet
tyicet
padest
edest
sedmdest
osmdest
devadest
sto
tictka
tyictka
padestka
edestka
sedmdestka
osmdestka
devadestka
stovka
200
500
dv st
pt set
dvoustovka
ptistovka
1000
tisc
tiscovka
www.factumcz.cz
228
For the nouns indicating numbers higher than 21, the German system is used:
21
22
dvacet jedna = jed(e)nadvacet

dvacet dva = dvaadvacet
jed(e)nadvactka
dvaadvactka
34
42
57
63
75
89
98
155
324
ticet tyi
tyicet dva
padest sedm
edest ti
sedmdest pt
osmdest devt
devadest osm
sto padest pt
ti sta dvacet tyi
tyiatictka
dvaatyictka
sedmapadestka
tiaedestka
ptasedmdestka
devtaosmdestka
osmadevadestka
stoptapadestka
tistatyiadvactka
The nouns are feminines and are declined in the regular way.
Examples:
K tomu hotelu jezd ptka a estadvactka.
Pojedeme devtkou.
J ekm na tiadvactku.
Pestoupme z osmiky na patnctku.
Sedmika je astn slo.
k se, e tinctka nos smlu.
Bydlm v osmadvactce.
Mete mi dt ptatictku?
Kdo bydl v sedmnctce?
Te teme destku.
Tady jsou dv ptistovky.
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229
(Trams) No.5 and 26 go to the hotel.

Well take (tram) No. 9.
Im waiting for No. 23.
Well change from No. 8 to 15.
Seven is a lucky number.
No.13 is said to bring bad luck.
Im staying in (room) No. 28.
Can I get (the key ) No. 35?
Who is staying in (room) No. 17?
We are reading (sentence) No. 10 now.
Here are two 500 crown banknotes.
MOTION VERBS AND PREFIXES

Slovesa pohybu a prefixy
68
The verbs jt chodit, jet jezdit are discussed in chapter 17.

The same distinction between particular and usual movement applies even to some other
verbs, with analogical features.
Its hardly possible to translate a particular verb with its specific subtleties into any nonSlavonic language.
Comments on the following chart (repeating much of what was said in chapter 17):
All of these verbs are imperfective (=nedokonav); they lack any perfective (=dokonav)
counterparts.
Our chart places the verbs related to particular occasion in the left-hand part.
These verbs have special forms for Future Tense (=budouc as), and they dont use the
auxiliary verb budu, which was explained in connection with the verbs jt and jet.
The verbs expressing usual movement are placed in the right-hand part of our chart.
From the morphological point of view, they are quite regular (thats why it is sufficient to
mention their infinitives only).
Remark: The English explanation in our chart is rather a comment than a real translation.
p a r t i c u l a r
Infin.
o c c a s i o n
usually
Present Past
Part.
Future
JT
jdu
el
pjdu
movement on foot, walking
CHODIT
JET
jedu
jel
pojedu
JEZDIT
NST
nesu
nesl
ponesu
carry, bear (in hand, on shoulders ) NOSIT
VZT
vezu
vezl
povezu
VST
vedu
vedl
povedu
transport,
carry when using means of travel
lead
LETT letm
letl
poletm
BET bm
bel pobm
www.factumcz.cz
Comment:
230
Infinitive (all
tenses regular)
VOZIT
VODIT
fly
LTAT
run
BHAT
There is a close relation between the verbs on the first four lines. This is briefly expressed in
the following survey, and then illustrated by means of simple examples:
1
JDU
NESU
CHODM
NOSM
JEDU
VEZU
JEZDM
VOZM
Petr JDE k Tomovi

a NESE mu nov knihy.
Petr CHOD k Tomovi

a NOS mu nov knihy.
Petr JEDE k Tomovi

a VEZE mu nov knihy.
Petr JEZD k Tomovi

a VOZ mu nov knihy.
P. goes to (see/visit) T. and brings him new

books. (he is walking and carrying the books in
a briefcase, pocket ) at a particular
occasion.
P. is in the habit of going to T. and bring him
new books (walking, carrying books in a
briefcase, pocket).
analogically to (1), but with the important
difference of not walking, but going by car,
tram, train ...
analogically to (2), but with the important
difference of not walking, but using car, bus,
tram, train
Examples for the verbs vst-vodit; lett-ltat; bet-bhat :

Martina kad den vod dti do koly.
M. conducts (her) children to school every

day.
Dnes vede dti jej manel.
Her husband is conducting the children
today.
Letadlo SA do Stockholmu lt jednou The SA plane for Stockholm flies once a
denn.
day.
Pt tden poletm do Pae.
Ill fly to Paris next week.
Spchm. Bm na zastvku tramvaje. Im in a hurry. Im running to the tram
stop.
Kad veer bhm v parku.
I jog in the park every evening.
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231
VERB PREFIXES
Motion verbs can be combined with prefixes, the most important of which are shown in the
following chart, together with simplified symbols and English comment.
The prefixed verbs form a system of their own and each of them can only be understood as
a part of the whole. (All the Czech verb prefixes are inseparable unlike in German.)
PREFIX
Comment
Symbol
PI-
approaching
OD-
direction away
V-
entering
VY-
1:
getting out of
VY-
2:
upwards
S-
1:
downwards
S-
2:
together
ROZ-
apart
PE-
over, from one side to the other
PRO-
passing through
The prefixes modify the basic meaning of the verbs.

E.g. the verb nst (carry) can be combined with prefixes od-, vy-, pe- , which results in
the verbs odnst (carry away), vynst (1: carry out; 2: carry up), penst (carry over) etc.,
the verb lett (fly) can be combined with prefixes pro-, pe- , which results in the verbs
prolett (fly through), pelett (fly over) etc.
As we have mentioned, the basic motion verbs are always imperfective (= nedokonav);
there are no perfective (= dokonav) counterparts.
The verbs with prefixes, however, form complete aspect pairs.
E.g. if the prefixes od-, vy-, pe- are attached to the basic verb nst, the complete aspect
pairs are
odnet
vynet
penet
odnst
vynst
penst
Similarly, the combination of the prefixes pi-, pro-, pe- with the basic verb lett results in
the pairs
piltat
proltat
peltat
pilett
prolett
pelett
etc.
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232
If a prefix is added, even the verbal form undergoes certain changes. The following chart
offers a systematic survey. The first two columns repeat the basic verbs (as they were
mentioned at the beginning of this chapter), the third column presents the verb forms that are
attached to prefixes.
JT
CHODIT
{ -CHZET
-JT
go (on foot), walk
JET
JEZDIT
{ -JDT
-JET, -JEDU, -JEL
go (means of travel)
NST
NOSIT
-NET
{ -NST,
-NESU, -NESL
carry , bear (in hand, on

shoulders ..)
VZT
VOZIT
{ -VET
-VZT, -VEZU, -VEZL
carry , transport (by car, train

)
VST
VODIT
{ -VDT
-VST, -VEDU, -VEDL
lead
LETT LTAT
{ -LTAT
-LETT
fly
BET BHAT
{ -BHAT
-BHNOUT,-BHNU,-BHL
run
The prefixes can be combined with the verbs, as it is shown in the following chart.
-CHZET
-JT
-JDT
-JET
-NET
-NST
-VET
-VZT
-VDT
-VST
-LTAT
-LETT
-BHAT
-BHNOUT
PIODVVYSROZPEPRO-
Theoretically, all combinations are possible. In practice, however, some of them are
unusual, some may have various additional meanings (mostly idiomatic).
Such combinations resemble the English verb-adverb combinations (phrasal verbs). Even
other languages use similar prefixes (e.g. German wegbringen, hinausbringen, bertragen).
Any direct translation, however, may be disputable.
www.factumcz.cz
233
The most frequently used prefix + verb combinations are presented in the following
paragraphs. The English translation tries to comment the meaning of particular verbs.
prefix PI-
approaching
pichzet
pijt, pijdu, piel
come (walking)
pijdt
pijet, pijedu, pijel
come, arrive (car)
pinet
pinst, pinesu, pinesl
bring (sth., walking)
pivet
pivzt, pivezu, pivezl
bring (sth., by car, lorry, train )
pivdt
pivst, pivedu, pivedl
bring a person , fetch
piltat
pilett
arrive flying
come running
pibhat
pibhnout, pibhnu, pibhl
Pijdu za chvli.
Pan Vesel jet nepiel.
N vlak jet nepijel?
Pijedu v nedli.
Me mi pinst pivo?
Pinesl jsem ti nov slovnk.
Do obchodu pivezli nov zbo.
J ti to pivezu.
Pivedl jsem hosta.
Kdo pivede dti ze koly?
Letadlo z Frankfurtu prv piletlo.
Piletm v ptek.
Pes pibhl k pnovi.
A t dti usly, hned pibhnou.
www.factumcz.cz
Ill come in a moment.

Mr Vesel hasnt come yet.
Hasnt our train arrived yet?
Ill come on Sunday.
Can you bring me (some) beer?
I have brought you a new dictionary.
They have delivered new goods to the shop.
Ill take it with me for you. (by car )
Ive brought a guest.
Who will fetch the children from school?
The plane from F. has just landed.
Ill come (by plane) on Friday.
The dog came running to his master.
When the children hear you, theyl come
running at once.
234
prefix OD-
leaving
odchzet
odejt, odejdu, odeel
leave walking
odjdt
odjet, odjedu, odjel
leave car, tram, bus, train
odnet
odnst, odnesu, odnesl
carry away in hand, on shoulders
odvet
odvzt, odvezu, odvezl
carry away in car, train, lorry
odvdt
odvst, odvedu, odvedl
lead / carry a person away
odltat
odlett
depart flying
odbhat
odbhnout, odbhnu, odbhl
run away
V kolik hodin jste odeli z domova?

eknu ti to, a Martin odejde.
Pan editel odjel do Nmecka.
J odnesu tyhle knihy.
Mete odvzt zavazadla.
Jana nejdv odvedla dti do koly a pak la
do prce.
Lenka odletla do Londna.
Dti odbhly do zahrady.
What time did you leave home?

Ill tell you after Martin has left.
The director has left for Germany.
Ill carry these books away.
You can carry away the luggage.
Jane conducted the children to school first
and then she went to work.
Lenka has flown to London.
The children ran away to the garden.
useful nouns
ARRIVAL
walking
DEPARTURE
pchod
odchod
train, bus, tram Y
PJEZD
ODJEZD
airplane
PLET
ODLET
Notice: long vowel pin connection with nouns
www.factumcz.cz
235
prefix V-
entering
vchzet
vejt, vejdu, veel
enter, come in on foot
vjdt
vjet, vjedu, vjel
enter, come in car, train
prefix VY-
getting / taking out of
vychzet
vyjt, vyjdu, vyel
walk out
vyjdt
vyjet, vyjedu, vyjel
go out, drive out
vynet
vynst, vynesu, vynesl
take sth. out
vyvet
vyvzt, vyvezu, vyvezl
transport out;
Kdy jsem veel do pokoje, vidl

jsem, co se stalo.
Kudy se vchz do hlavn budovy?
Vchod je tamhle napravo.
Z banky vyli dva mui.
Vjel jsem do gare.
Um vyjet z gare?
Je tady moc idl. J dv vynesu.
Co se vyv z t zem?
export
When I entered the room, I saw what had

happened.
Which way is it possible to get into the main
building? (= Where is the entrance )
The entrance is over there on the left.
Two men went out of the bank.
I drove into the garage.
Can you drive out of the garage?
There are too many chairs here. Ill take two (of
them) out.
What is exported from the country?
Notice:
} to export
vyvet
} to import
dovet
dovzt, dovezu, dovezl
vvoz, m. = export, m. export
dovoz, m. = import, m. import
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236
prefix VY-
upwards
vychzet
vyjt, vyjdu, vyel
walk up
vyjdt
vyjet, vyjedu, vyjel
go up (means of travel)
vynet
vynst, vynesu, vynesl
carry upwards walking
vyvet
carry upwards by car
prefix S-
downwards
schzet
sejt, sejdu, seel
walk down
sjdt
sjet, sjedu, sjel
go down, drive down
Nahoru jsme vyjeli vtahem.

Dol jsme seli pky.
Vtah ns vyvezl nahoru.
Pak jsme pomalu sjeli dol.
Mete vynst ten stl do prvnho
poschod?
Vyli jsme nahoru.
Seli jsme dol.
www.factumcz.cz
We took a lift up.

We walked down.
The lift took us up.
Then we went down slowly.
Can you carry the table up to the second
floor?
We went up(stairs).
We went down(stairs).
237
prefix S-
+ REFLEXIVE PRONOUN SE
together
schzet se
sejt se, sejdou se, seli se
gather, meet
sjdt se
sjet se, sjedou se, sjeli se
gather means of travel
sbhat se
sebhnout se, sebhnou se, sebhli se
run together
prefix ROZ-
+ REFLEXIVE PRONOUN SE
leaving in different directions
rozchzet se
rozejt se, rezejdou se, rozeli se
disperse, part, separate
rozjdt se
rozjet se, rozjedu se, rozjel se
drive in different directions
roznet
roznst, roznesu, roznesl
hand out, distribute , carry to various

places walking
rozvet
rozvzt, rozvezu, rozvezl
deliver to various places means of

travel
Kadou sobotu se schzm s kamardy.

Schzme se v jedn mal hospod.
Prezidenti rznch zem se sjeli na
konferenci.
Seli jsme se v est, pak jsme dv hodiny
povdali a v osm jsme se rozeli.
Lid se sbhali k t nehod.
Kdy pijela policie, dav se rozeel.
Njak kluk roznesl tyhle reklamy.
Tohle auto rozv zbo do rznch
obchod.
www.factumcz.cz
On Saturdays I meet my friends.

We meet (gather) in a small pub.
Presidents of various countries gathered at
the conference.
We met (gathered) at six, then we were
talking for two hours, and we left (for our
respective destinations) at eight.
People came running to the accident.
When the police arrived, the crowd
dispersed
A boy distributed these fly sheets.
The car (lorry) delivers goods to various
shops.
238
prefix PE-
across, over
pechzet
pejt, pejdu, peel
cross, walk from one side to another
pejdt
pejet, pejedu, pejel
cross means of travel
penet
penst, penesu, penesl
take sth. over/ across in hand , on shoulders
pevet
pevzt, pevezu, pevezl
take sth. over/ across means of travel
pevdt
pevst, pevedu, pevedl
lead a person from one side to another

2: transfer, e.g. from one account to another
peltat
pelett
fly over
pebhat
pebhnout, pebhnu, pebhl
run over (cross running)
Pejdeme na druhou stranu ulice.

Pejdeme ulici. = Pejdeme pes ulici.
A pejedete most, zahnte doprava.
Penesl jsem vechny papry z jedn
kancele do druh.
Ambulance pevezla pacienta do
nemocnice.
Pacient byl pevezen do nemocnice.
(passive)
Nad mstem peletlo nkolik letadel.
Dti pebhaly (pes) ulici.
Uitelka pevedla dti pes ulici.
Chci pevst ty penze na jin konto.
www.factumcz.cz
Well cross to the other side of the street.

Well cross the street.
When youve crossed the bridge, turn right.
I took (carried) all the papers from one
office to the other.
The ambulance transported the patient to
the hospital.
The patient was transported to hospital.
Several planes flew over the town.
The children were running across the street.
The teacher took the children across the
street.
I want to transfer the money to another
account.
239
prefix PRO-
through
prochzet
projt, projdu, proel
walk through
projdt
projet, projedu, projel
pass through means of travel, drive through
Remark on the motion through:

The equivalent of the English preposition through is
SKRZ - followed by Acusative. E.g.:
Slyel jsem rdio skrz stnu.
I heard the radio through the wall.
Another possibility is using the INSTRUMENTAL, without any preposition.

Examples:
Dval jsem se dalekohledem.
Dostal se dovnit oknem.
Silnice vede lesem.
I was looking through a telescope.

He got in through the window.
The road goes through the forest.
Projdete parkem (Instrum.) a pak tu

budovu uvidte.
Vlak projel tunelem. (Instrum.)
Projeli jsme celou Evropou. (Instrum.)
You go through the park, and then you can

see the building.
The train went through the tunnel.
We travelled all over Europe.
Useful nouns
entrance
exit
pedestrian crossing
subway crossing
VCHOD
VCHOD
PECHOD
PODCHOD
step
Mind the step!
schod
POZOR SCHOD !
W.C.
zchod
entrance (for cars)

exit (for cars)
VJEZD
VJEZD
www.factumcz.cz
240
(German: Einfahrt)
(German: Ausfahrt)
PREFIXES WITH OTHER VERBS

Pedpony s jinmi slovesy
Verb prefixes can be divided into two groups:
69
a: perfectivizing, i.e. those forming perfective aspect from imperfective, without

changing the lexical meaning. The aspect pairs should be memorzied by a foreign learner.
(A native speaker uses the aspect subconsciously.)
Examples:
pst
} write
volit
} elect
napsat
zvolit
st
pest
read
tvoit
vytvoit
create, form
dlat
udlat
do, make
stavt
postavit
build, construct
punish
mt
umt
wash
trestat
}
potrestat
b: prefixes that modify the lexical meaning of the basic verb; the prefix is then used for
both the imperfective and the perfective aspect, and a new lexical unit with the (mostly)
complete aspect pair is just formed. This type of verbs with prefixes can be compared to the
situation in German and some other languages, and it corresponds -in a certain degree- to the
English verb-adverb combinations.
Although this topic lies on the boundary between grammar and lexis, and the verbs have to be
learnt as lexical items, it is of great help for a foreign learner to have a basic idea about the
meaning of particular prefixes. In this way, the meaning of a particular verb can be deduced
with caution, of course.
The prefixes of motion verbs are systematically explained in chapter 68.
The following paragraphs offer a choice of prefixes connected even with other semantic types
of verbs. The basic meaning of the prefix is formulated in a brief way in the first column; then
a few examples are mentioned, with a simplified English translation. The exact English
equivalent has to be chosen acccording to the context in real sentences. Its also important to
remember that lots of the verbs have even other connotations and sometimes are used quite
idiomatically (similarly as the English phrasal verbs).
PI-
1. approaching movement
see chapter 68
pichzet-pijt
pinet-pinst
piskakovat-piskoit
come, arrive
bring
jump nearer
2. fastening
pidlvat-pidlat
pipichovat-pipchnout
pivat-pit
fix sth. to sth.

pin up
sew on
3. additional action
pipisovat-pipsat
piplcet-piplatit
write some more words

pay extra
www.factumcz.cz
241
OD(E)- 1. movement away

see chapter 68
odchzet-odejt
odvet-odvzt
odsunovat-odsunout
leave
carry/transport away
shift aside
2. loosening
oddlvat-oddlat
odvazovat-odvzat
odtrhvat-odtrhnout
odpojovat-odpojit
unfix
unbind
tear off
uncouple
vchzet-vejt
vltat-vlett
vlvat-vlt
vhazovat-vhodit
vkldat-vloit
enter
fly in
pour in
throw in
insert
1. movement out of
see chapter 68
vyjdt-vyjet
vyskakovat-vyskoit
vystihovat-vystihnout
vyvovat-vyvsit
drive out
jump out
cut out
hang out
2. movement upwards
see chapter 68
vybhat-vybhnout
vyskakovat-vyskoit
vyhazovat-vyhodit
run up
jump up
throw up
V(E)- 1. movement into

see chapter 68
VY-
S(E)-
1. movement downward
see chapter 68
sbhat-sebhnout
shazovat-shodit
seskakovat-seskoit
run down
throw down
jump down
2. movement together
see chapter 68
schzet se-sejt se
svazovat-svzat
slepovat-slepit
meet, gather
bind together
paste together
rozchzet se-rozejt se
roznet-roznst
rozdvat-rozdat
roztrhvat-roztrhat
part, separate
carry round
hang out
tear to pieces
2. losen
rozvazovat-rozvzat
rozbalovat-rozbalit
unbind
unwrap, unpack
3. beginning of an action
rozjdt se-rozjet se
0-rozesmt se
0-rozplakat se
0-rozpret se
start, accelerate
burst out laughing
burst into tears
start to rain
ROZ(E)- 1. movement apart

see chapter 68
www.factumcz.cz
242
PE- 1. movement across

see chapter 68
pechzet-pejt
peskakovat-peskoit
petahovat-pethnout
go over, cross
jump over, skip
draw over
2. breaking in two
0-petrhnout
0-pesthnout
pelamovat-pelomit
tear in two pieces

cut in two (with scissors)
break in two
3. do undesirably too much
peplovat-peplnit
0-pepracovat se
peceovat-pecenit
overfill
overstrain
overestimate
4. do again and better
pedlvat-pedlat
pepisovat-pepsat
pepotvat-pepotat
re-make
re-write
re-count
5. negligency
-peeknout se
-peklepnout se
-pepotat se
make a slip of the tongue

misprint
miscount
projdt-projet
proplouvat-proplout
prostrkovat-prostrit
drive through
sail through
stick through
2. doing sth. thorougly
promlet-promyslet
protat-prost
-prodiskutovat
think over
read through, peruse
discuss thouroughly
OB(E)- 1. movement around
obchzet-obejt
obhat-obhnout
obeplouvat-obeplout
obvazovat-obvzat
go round
circulate
sail around
bandage (a wound)
1. reaching the destination
dojdt-dojet
dobhat-dobhnout
drive to the destination

run to the aim
2. fetch
0-dojt pro
0-dojet pro
fetch sb./sth. (walking)

fetch sb./sth. (driving)
3.finishing the action
dodlvat-dodlat
dopisovat-dopsat
0-domluvit
complete the work

finish writing
finish the speech
PRO- 1. movement through

see chapter 68
DO-
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243
ZA-
U-
1. movement to an unseen
place
zachzet-zajt
on foot
zajdt-zajet
driving
2. make sth. for pleasure
0-zazpvat si
0-zatanit si
0-zaplavat si
sing
dance
(have a) swim
1. separating a part
0-ulomit
0-utrhnout
uezvat-uznout
break off
tear off
cut off
2. (result of an) ability
0-unst
0-udret
0-ubhnout
be able to carry
hold
run a distance
PED- 1.moving faster than sb.else pedbhat-pedbhnout

pedjdt-pedjet
VZ-
outdistance
overtake (car)
2. doing in advance
pedplcet-pedplatit
pedpovdat-pedpovdt
pedvdat-0
prenumerate
foretell
foresee, anticipate
1. direction upwards
vzltat-vzltnout
vzrstat-vzrst
fly up, take off

increase
The mentioned verbs sometimes

lack the perfective form (which is indicated by a zero mark in our survey),
or the imperfective form is only rarely used (and not mentioned in our examples).
www.factumcz.cz
244
Appendix
INFORMATION ABOUT OBECN ETINA
One of the most salient features of modern Czech is the existence of two varieties, called
spisovn etina and obecn etina. Spisovn etina is the term used for the standard
language and it has been the object of all our explanations in the preceding chapters.
Obecn etina is a widespread non-standard variety used by the overwhelming majority of
native Czech speakers in off the record spoken communication. The terminology spisovn vs.
obecn is rather misleading, but it is generally accepted by Czech linguists, due to the lack of
more appropriate names.
Spisovn etina (=Standard Czech) is the codified version that is compulsory in public
written texts, such as official documents, scientific papers, newspaper articles, etc. Any
deviation is inadmissible. If an author uses a non-standard grammatical or orthographic form,
(s)he risks being rated as illiterate. Standard Czech is required also in public speeches, but
moderate use of obecn etina in spoken form is tolerated, depending on the degree of
formality. Thus, the presidents or prime ministers official TV address must be delivered in
Standard Czech, but it happens quite frequently that even prominent politicians or scientists in
a televized round-table discussion use some non-standard forms, often quite deliberately, so
as to make their utterance less formal. Occasional use of non-standard forms in such situations
does not cast any doubt on the speakers language competence. The same phenomenon can be
observed e.g. at university lectures. A professor should use Standard Czech when talking to
the auditory, but if (s)he inserts some non-standard expression now and then, it may be felt as
positive diversification. If, however, the professor publishes his/her lecture in the written
form, (s)he cannot afford to deviate from the standard codification.
The forms of obecn etina, however, have been penetrating even writen texts. It is not
unusual to read a newspaper interview with a celebrity, where the journalist uses standard
language, while the interviewed persons responses sporadically contain expressions of
obecn etina (in a degree obviously modified by the editor after a deal with the person in
question). A significant impetus to the use of obecn etina in written communication was
given by the electronic communication. Private e-mails and SMS are frequently formulated in
obecn etina. For these reasons, it is necessary even for a foreigner to get acquainted with
the basic features of this variety.
The differences between the two varieties are mostly limited to morphology and morfonology.
The phonological system is identical, even if the pronunciation style of obecn etina is
usually -but not always- less careful. There are no specific features in syntax either. The
functions of grammatical categories remain unchanged, as well as the relations between
clause elements. The overall structure of sentences is undoubtedly rather simplified, more
complicated constructions being avoided, but this can be ascribed to the general differences
between spoken and written language. The two varieties mostly coincide even on the lexical
level. There is a limited number of stable vocabulary units that are typical for obecn etina,
otherwise there may occur lots of ephemeral words, often connnected with various slangs.
The basic specific features of obecn etina are summarized in the following paragraphs,
intentionally avoiding going into details which would be a topic for long treatise. It is also
important to underline that the mentioned items should be understood as tendencies only, not
obligatory rules. Obecn etina, as a kind of substandard variety, has no codified norm.
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The abbreviation S stands for spisovn etina, O for obecn etina.

Morphonology:
1
The long vocalic phoneme /i:/ corresponding to the grapheme < > is
often changed into /ej/, both in word roots and in inflectional suffixes
Examples:
S
O
tden
week
tejden
mdlo
soap
mejdlo
bt
to be
bejt
cel
whole
celej
2
The long vocalic phoneme /e:/ is often changed into /i:/.

(In the written form either < > or < > is used.)
Examples:
S
O
mlko
milk
mlko
dlka
length
dlka
mho novho
my new (G sg.)
mho novho
pinst
to bring
pinst
3
The prothetic consonant v is often placed before the initial vowel o.
Examples:
S
O
on, ona, oni
he, she, they
von, vona, voni
oba
both
voba
obd
lunch
vobd
otevt
open
votevt
okno
window
vokno
Morphology:
4
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Adjectives, demonstrative pronouns, possessive pronouns in

plural use identical forms for all genders in accusative and
nominative. Moreover, there are no consonant alternations in
nominative plural masculines. (See chapter 27.)
This is the most salient difference between spisovn etina and
obecn etina. In connection with other features, it creates a
substantial gap between the two varieties often confusing a foreign
learner and creating an impression of a complete mess.
We will return to this topic in the conclusion of this enumerating
survey, after the other partial differences have been mentioned.
246
Examples:
SPISOVN ETINA
masc. animate
pl.N ti m dob et
kamardi
pl.A ty m dobr esk
kamardy
masc. inanimate
pl.N ty m dobr esk
slovnky
Pl.A ty m dobr esk
slovnky
feminine
pl.N ty m dobr esk
knihy
Pl.A ty m dobr esk
knihy
neuter
pl.N ta m dobr esk kola
Pl.A ta m dobr esk kola
OBECN ETINA
pl.N
pl.A
ty m dobr esk kamardi

ty m dobr esk kamardy
pl.N
pl.A
ty m dobr esk slovnky

ty m dobr esk slovnky
pl.N
pl.A
ty m dobr esk knihy

ty m dobr esk knihy
pl.N
pl.A
ty m dobr esk kola

ty m dobr esk kola
5
Nouns in instrumental plural use the endings -ama, -ema, -ma, -ma.
Examples:
S
O
m.
pny, hrady, pedsedy
pnama, hradama, pedsedama
f.
enami
enama
n.
msty
mstama
n.
kuaty
kuatama
m.
mui, stroji, soudci
muema. strojema, soudcema
f.
remi, psnmi
rema, psnma
n.
ndrami
ndrama
f.
kostmi
kostma
6
Adjectives, pronouns and numerals in instrumental plural

change the ending -mi into -ma.
Examples:
S
O
novmi, cizmi
novejma, cizma
tmi
tma
mmi, tvmi, jejmi, naimi, vaimi
mejma, tvejma, jejma, naima, vaima
jednmi, temi, tymi, vemi
jednma, tema, tyma, vema
7
When addressing a person with a family name, the vocative form

pane is followed by the nominative of the family name instead of the
vocative case.
Examples:
S
O
pane Kasale
pane Kasal
pane Sedlku
pane Sedlek
pane Svobodo
pane Svoboda
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247
Personal pronouns in 3rd person plural

uses the form (v)oni regardless the gender.
Moreover, the past participle of verbs uses the same ending -li.,
regardless the gender of the subject
Examples:
S
O
m.anim.
oni (studenti) byli
m.inanim.
ony (projekty) byly
(v)oni byli
f.
ony (dvky) byly
n.
ona (auta)
byla
9
In past participle of masculines singular, the postconsonantal -l

is sometimes left out.
Examples:
S
O
ekl, pinesl, mohl, neetl
ek, pines, moh, neet
10.
S
bychom kdybychom abychom
Examples
S
Kdybychom to vdli,
ekli bychom vm to.
O
bysme kdybysme abysme
O
Kdybysme to vdli,
ekli bysme vm to.
11
Possessive adjectives are declined in the same way as basic adjectives

Examples:
S
O
do Martinova pokoje
do Martinovho pokoje
v Martinov pokoji
v Martinovm pokoji
The auxiliary verb in past tense is sometimes left out after the
explicitly expressed pronouns j and my.
Examples:
S
O
J jsem tam byl.
J tam byl.
My jsme to nevdli.
My to nevdli.
12
There are some more features, but as it would be necessary to add the adverb sometimes,
we are not presenting them.
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248
As it was mentioned in connection with item (4), the most salient differences between the two
varieties exist in the forms of adjectives and even plural instrumental of nouns and pronouns
The following chart presents the declensions of adjectives in all cases.
SPISOVN ETINA
m.anim.
sg.
N
A
G
D
L
I
pl.
N
A
G
D
L
I
nov
novho
nov
nov
OBECN ETINA
m.inan.
n.
f.
nov
nov
novho
novmu
novm
novm
nov
nov
nov
novou
nov
nov
nov
novou
nov
nov
novch
novm
novch
novmi
nov
nov
nov
nov
m.anim. m.inanim
novej
novho
novej
novej
novho
novmu
novm
novm
n.
f.
nov
nov
nov
novou
nov
nov
nov
novou
nov
nov
novejch
novejm
novejch
novejma
The existence of varieties is nothing unusual in any language. Apart from a standard variety,
there may be various regional dialects, as well as social dialects (sociolects). In Czech, the
situation differs from most other languages. Obecn etina is neither a pure regional dialect
nor a sociolect. The roots of the present-day situation should be looked for in history, at the
beginning of the national revival in 19th century, and this is a matter of diachronic studies.
Suffice it to say in a simplified way that the scholars who were bringing the almost extinct
Czech language to life again, codified an older literary version that no longer had many users.
The scholars did not take into consideration the natural development of the language spoken
by those who were really using it mostly rural inhabitants. The mixture of various regional
dialects subsequently gave rise to obecn etina. Regional dialects have been gradually
disappearing, with only traces left, especially in some of Moravian regions (the eastern part of
the Czech republic). Obecn etina has become a common informal variety that is used by
most native speakers in everyday situations. So it happened that Standard Czech is felt as a
rather rigid variety of the language. It would be unnatural, and maybe even ridiculous, to
speak Standard Czech at home or among friends. And it would be completely absurd to
imagine people using Standard Czech in an ordinary pub talk. But obecn etina cannot be
said to be a marker of a lower social status. It has nothing in common with a persons
education or social position. Even for graduated people it is a commonplace to speak this
variety, and to restrict the use of standard language for official occasions and for written
texts.
The mother tongue for most native speakers of Czech is obecn etina. Not until a child
starts to attend school is (s)he forced to change some habits acquired at home and to learn the
correct forms which brings about a lot of difficulties. In addition to learning how to write,
which is common for pupils in all countries, the Czech pupil is instructed that a lot of forms
that (s)he has acquired at home and in contact with his/her friends are wrong. The pupil is
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249
forced to break away from the habit of using the forms that sound natural for him/her, e.g.
ty star lidi (the old people), kdybysme to vdli minulej tejden (if we knew it last week), and
to replace them by the odd-sounding standard forms ti sta lid and kdybychom to vdli
minul tden. Consequently, too much time has to be spent by drilling the Standard Czech
forms.
As it has already been mentioned, the two varieties differ from each other especially in
morphology and morphonology. The differences in syntax are not outstanding, and they can
be mostly ascribed to the general tendency of using simpler constructions in spontaneous
spoken communiction as compared with more complicated constructions in the official style.
Even lexical differences may be said to play a marginal part: obecn etina has a limited
number of items with relatively long-time stability, such as kafe instead of kva (coffee),
kytka instead of kvtina (flower), bark instead of dm (house), elektrika instead of elektina
(electricity), uplk instead of zsuvka (drawer), koukat se kouknout se instead of dvat se
podvat se (look), etc. There can be found lots of other expressions, some of them being in
retreat, others emerging, owing to the relative flexibility of vocabulary in general, also with
various slang expressions playing their part.
Let us illustrate the relations between spisovn etina and obecn etina by an extreme
example of a sentence containing 10 words, each of them differing in the two varieties. (The
differences are underlined in the version of obecn etina, i.e. the lower line.)
S:
On nemohl minul tden tmi novmi kli odemknout dn zsuvky.
O: Von nemoh minulej tejden tma novejma klema vodemknout dn uplky.
(Last week, he could not unlock any drawers with the new keys.)
Nine of the ten words differ in morphology or morphonology, one difference is lexical:
zsuvka uplk (drawer).
The mentioned example could suggest an idea of diglossia in Czech, i.e. the existence of two
completely separate varieties of the language. Such conclusion, however, would be false. Our
sentence has been constructed on purpose, and it would not be easy to find similar pairs of
sentences of the same length in practice. The results of our research, based on comparing
several hundred sentences, show that the differences between the two varieties amount to not
more than 20% of the total number of word forms. The remaining 80% word forms do not
provide any option. The relations may be shown in the following diagram:
B
The field A represents the expressions that are common for both varieties, not allowing for
any alternatives. The differences exist only between the field B (the forms of spisovn
etina) and the field C (the forms of obecn etina), each of them offering mutually
exclusive options.
Only rarely does it happen that all items (word forms) of a sentence belong to the same field,
as in the case of our deviced examples above, the former lying completely in the field B, the
latter in the field C. The occurence of a sentence consisting entirely of the A-field elements is
more probable due to the higher number of its units, e.g.:
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250
Protoe jste nereagovali na n dopis, nemohli jsme nic dlat.

(As you had not responded to our letter, we were not able to do anything.)
Even this sentence consists of ten words, all of them belonging to the field A. The question
spisovn or obecn is irrelevant as long as the sentence is isolated, i.e. being uttered without
any broader context. From the point of view of the language codification it is correct, i.e.
quite admissible in spisovn etina. At the same time, it sounds quite natural even in the
informal obecn etina.
Codified rules of the standard language (spisovn etina) are rigorous. An utterance is
considered to be completely correct if it contains entirely the items of the field A or if it
consists of the elements of the fields A + B, as it is illustrated in the modified version of our
field diagram:
Spisovn etina:
Let us compare three versions of another sentence, consisting again of ten words:
(p)
On ekl, e do svch zsuvek dal njak dleit dokumenty.
(q)
On ekl, e do svch zsuvek dal njak dleit dokumenty.
(r)
Von ek , e do svejch uplk dal njak dleit dokumenty.
(He said he had placed some important documents in his drawers.)
Let us first classify the items according to their field distribution:
field A i.e. no alternative is possible:
e
do
dal
fields B and C with a choice possibility for an individual speaker:

field B
on
ekl
svch
zsuvek
njak
field C
von
ek
svejch
uplk
njak
dokumenty
dleit
dleit
Sentence (p) consists of 4 items of the field A and 6 items of the field B. This corresponds to
the demands of standard codification, and the sentence is approved as spisovn etina.
Sentence (r) consists of 4 items of the field A and 6 items of the field C, i.e. all the
possibilities of choosing a non-standard forms are exploited. The sentence belongs to obecn
etina.
Sentence (q) consists of 4 items of the field A, 2 items of the field C, and 4 items of the field
B. The speaker has not made use of all the non-standard forms offered by the existing
inventory of obecn etina. The reasons may be either occasional (the speaker, quite
deliberately, does not want to shift his utterance too long from the codified standard), or the
unused forms do not exist in his idiolect at all (e.g. the speaker may be influenced by his
geographical background). It would seem justifiable to regard sentence (q) as a kind of
transition between spisovn and obecn etina. But this is not the case. Neither this sentence
is admitted into the standard territory of spisovn etina.
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The rules of the standard language (spisovn eina) are strictly prescriptive. Even if a
sentence contains a single element of the field C, it is disqualified from the Standard Czech,
and it is expelled to the non-standard sphere of obecn etina. The lower border between the
fields B and C is severely watched by the codification rules. Every penetration of an element
from the field C is punished by banning the whole sentence.
Obecn etina, on the contrary, has no clear limits, and it admits even the use of items from
the field B, without insisting on their being replaced by the corresponding C-field items. This
can be seen in the following diagram:
Obecn etina:
Codification reforms of Standard Czech (spisovn etina) are carried out by authorized
institutions from time to time, the latest having taken place in 1993. The results are published
in Pravidla eskho pravopisu, which is a reference manual containing binding regulations
for using correct orthography, and even morphology. Every new reform usually gives rise
to extensive discussions not only among linguists, Czech language teachers, journalists, but
even in broad public. There may be various opinions concerning the suitability of particular
topics, but as a whole, the reforms are mostly based on a common background tendency:
Standard Czech (spisovn etina) tries to adapt the rules of the official language to the
naturally living forms of obecn etina, to lessen the gap between the two varieties. A
Czech person writing an official letter, paper, report, etc. frequently consults the mentioned
manual or asks another person: Is it already allowed to write ? The question means
whether the (rigid) codification has approved a form that has been used in obecn etina (and
that is more progressive). The process of admission may have two stages. First, the new form
(coming from obecn etina) is acknowledged side by side with the older one, i.e. both are
correct. The reform that follows several decades later usually mentions only the newer form,
the older one being left out. A typical example was the development of infinitives in the
former half of 20th century. A hundred years ago, the only correct infinitive forms were
dlati, mluviti, vidti, sti, psti, etc., the forms that sounded oldfashioned. Gradually the
progressive forms of obecn etina were let in, i.e. dlat, mluvit, vidt, pst (to do, to speak,
to see, to write). Nowadays, the -ti forms sound obsolete, and hardly anybody would use
them.
The latest reform has admitted many new forms from obecn etina. At present, there is a
considerable number of word pairs, existing side by side offering the possibility of higher
or lower stylistic diversification, e.g. ci ct (say), mohu mu (I can), brle brejle
(eye-glasses), ltat ltat (fly).
Teaching Czech to foreigners poses the question: which of the two varieties? Most teachers
would undoubtedly favour spisovn etina, and they will support their choice by the
argument that it is the only correct Czech. For a Czech teacher who has been drilling young
native speakers in using spisovn etina, trying hard to force the pupils to break away from
using obecn etina, it would be inconceivable, and maybe even heretical, to teach obecn
etina to foreign learners.
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252
Yet, a foreigner who is staying in the Czech republic cannot avoid encountering obecn
etina in everyday life. Although the items of obecn etina in the language system do not
exceed 20%, they do occur in communication with high frequency. If a foreign learner does
not know anything about the existence of the non-standard variety of Czech, the credibility of
the teachers explanations becomes undermined when hearing the adjectives, where almost all
the inflected forms differ from what has been taught at school. The different morfonological
structure of adjectives (as well as some cases of possessive and demonstrative pronouns) has a
strong impact even on the perception of morphological categories of gender and number. As
an illustration, let us compare the adjective endings, in masculine, feminine and neuter
gender; spisovn etina: -, -, - ; obecn etina: -ej, -, -. Thus, the combination nov
auto (new car) in obecn etina can lead a foreigner to the false conclusion that the noun
auto is masculine. The plural form nov auta instead of the spisovn etina form nov auta
(new cars) may cause a total breakdown of the arduously learnt system of adjective
declensions.
Should the above mentioned examples be interpreted as if we were pleading for obecn
etina as the variety that ought to be taught to foreign learners? In no case! We are convinced
that Czech for foreigners must be based on spisovn etina. The main reasons can be
summed like this:
Spisovn etina is the codified variety in contrast to obecn etina, where no
codification does exist.
A foreigner is supposed to learn Czech not only for the sake of conversation, but (s)he
will read various types of texts, and probably even write letters, reports, specialized
papers.
It is much easier to pass from the more complicated forms of spisovn etina to
obecn etina (which has lots of morphological simplifications, such as adjective
endings in Nominative and Accusative plural, lower number of case endings of nouns
in Instrumental plural, easier verb concord in past participle, etc.).
There may be teachers who would suggest solving the problem by teaching the two varieties
simultaneusly. This, however, would be preposterous. Czech morphology is complicated
enough, and any attempt at learning the two varieties in a parallel way would throw
everything into complete confusion. It is, however, necessary for Czech teachers to get rid of
the labels right-wrong in connection with the two varieties, each of which is a part of the
Czech language as a whole. The label wrong should be assigned to forms and constructions
that do not exist in Czech. The forms of obecn etina are not wrong, but only non-standard.
The teachers themselves should be the first persons who inform foreign learners about the
existence of some different forms that are frequently used by native Czech speakers in
informal communication. This should be done at a very early stage, so as to avoid lots of
misunderstandings. For the foreigners who are specialized in studying Czech at a university,
systematic explanations about the two varieties should be included in the curriculum at the
advanced level.
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253
INDEX
accusative. sg. adj., poses. pron., demonstr. pron.,interrog. pron. 66
accusative personal pronouns 70
accusative sg. nouns, masculinum animate 66, 68
accusative sg. nouns, feminine 65
accusative sg. nouns, m.inanim, neuter 64
accusative basic functions 69-70
accusative prepositions 69-70
adjectival form of passive participle 178
adjectival indefinite pronouns 199-200
adjective concord with noun 23
adjectives accus. sg. 66
adjectives hard 23
adverbial ordinal numerals 33
adjectives soft 23
agent 173, 176
alphabetic order of Czech graphemes 17
analytic forms of comparative and superlative 143
aspect 34, 47-53
aspect and tense 48-53
aspect pairs 48-49
assimilation of voiced-voiceless consonants 15
auxiliary verb 40
cardinal numerals 30
category of case 18, 64
category of number 18
category of person 34
classification of nouns 74
clauses without subject 221
comparison of adjectives 141-144
comparison of adverbs 148-149
conditional 163-165
conditional clauses 166-167
conditional conjunctions 168
conditional word order 164
conjugation basic information 18, 34
conjunction aby 202- 204
conjunction jestli in object clauses 169
consonantal phonemes systematic survey 13
consonants 11-15
consonants: voiced-voiceless pairs 15
coordinating conjunctions and connecting expressions 217-218
dative expressing age 109
dative forms of personal pronouns 106
dative forms sg., pl. adj., dem. pron., posses. pron. 105
dative forms of interrogative and indefinite pronoun 106
dative noun forms sg., pl. 105
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dative with verbs lbit se 109

dative as indirect object 106
dative as object after certain verbs 108
dative in subjectless clauses 109
dative prepositions 110-111
declarative interrogative sentences 29
declension basic inormation 18, 64
declension of nouns of Latin and Greek origin 132
declension od personal pronouns general survey 125, 126
declension of adjectives general survey 122
declension of cardinal numerals general survey 127-128
declension of demonstrative pronouns general survey 124
declension of interrog., indef., negat. pronouns general survey 124
declension of nominal parts of passive constructions 176
declension of nouns general survey 120-121, 130
declension of possessive pronouns general survey 123
declension of dual nouns 131
deixis near 28
deixis remote 28
demonstrative pronoun 28
demonstrative pronouns accus. sg. 66
determination 22, 219
diminutives 226-227
diphthongs 10
dual 31, 131
enclitics 112, 212
epenthetic vowel 90
experiencer 107
female surnames 224
final clauses 203
formation of female nouns 222-223
forms of the accus. sg. survey 68
functional sentence perspective 219
future tense 44
future tense of imperfective verbs 45
future tense of the verb bt 44
gender of nouns 19
general subject 183
genitive basic functions 86
genitive days and months 93
genitive forms of nouns, sg., pl. 87-89
genitive after numerals 92
genitive forms of adjectives, dem.pron., posses.pron. 89
genitive forms of interrogative and indefinite pronouns 91
genitive forms of personal pronouns 90
genitive object after certain verbs 93
goal 173, 176
gradation 141, 145
hard, soft and ambivalent consonants 66, 75
imperative 158-162
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imperative and verb aspect 161

imperative of motion verbs 162
imperfectiva tantum 49
indirect speech declarative 208
indirect speech imperative 209-210
indirect speech interrogative 208
indirect speech verb tense 208
infinitive -AT 36
infinitive -IT, -T, -ET 36
infinitive -NOUT 38
infnitive -OVAT 38
inflection basic information 18
instrumental adj., demonstr. pron., posses. pron. 113
instrumental interrogative and definite pron. 114
instrumental nouns, sg., pl. 113
instrumental personal pronouns 113
instrumental vs. accustive: prepositions of static and dynamic relations 117
instrumental as agent in passive constructions 115
instrumental as nominal part of the predicate 114
instrumental as object after certain verbs 115
instrumental expressing means of travel 114
instrumental expressing profession 114
instrumental function 114
instrumental in adverbial functions 115
instrumental indicating direction 115
instrumental: prepositions 116-117
interrogative pronouns accus.sg. 66
interrogative pronouns 44
interrogative pronouns jak?, kter? 24
interrogative sentences 29
irrregular verbs 58-60
letter and the pronunciation 12, 14
locative forms of nouns in sg. 99-101
locative interrogative and indefinite pronouns 103
locative personal pronouns 102
locative plural forms: nouns, adject., demonstrat. pron., posses. pron. 101
locative prepositions 98-104
mediated reqeuest 204
mt as a modal verb 170-172
modal verbs 58-60
mood 34
morphological categories basic survey nominal 18
morphological categories basic survey verbal 34
morphological categories of nouns 18
morphological categories of verbs 34
motion verbs and prefixes 230
multiplicative numerals 32
multiplied negation 201
mutual relations of aspect and tense 48-53
negation in imperative 161
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negation of verbs in future tense 45, 46

negation of verbs in past tense 39
negation of verbs in present tense 35
negative pronouns and adverbs 201
neutralisation of consonantal voicing 15
nominal forms pf adjectives 150
nominative 19, 64
nominative singular 19
number 34
numerals 30-33
numerals in indicating years 31
numerals used as nouns 228-229
obecn etina 245-253
object clauses with aby, e, infinitive 205-207
object clauses with aby 204
objective genitive 87
ordinal numerals 32
partitive genitive 87
passive function of reflexive pronoun 183
passive participle 173
passive voice 173-178
past participle 39-40
past tense 39
personal pronouns 25, 35
personal pronouns word order 92
personal pronouns accusative 70
phonemes //, //, // and their spelling 14
plural of adjectives nomin, accus. 85
plural of demonstr. pronouns, nomin., accus. 84
plural of nouns nomin. 76-79
plural of nouns, masc.animate, nomin., accus. 79-84
plural of possessive pronouns, nomin., accus. 84
pluralia tantum 133-135
possessive adjective 154-157
possessive genitive 87
possessive pronoun gender 26
possessive pronouns accus. sg. 66
postpositioned conditinal conjunction 169
prefixes of motion verbs 230-240
prepositions general remark 94
prepositions stress 16
prepositions survey 136
prepositions with genitive 94-97
present tense of regular verbs 36-38
pronoun vechno 198
pronouns classification 18
pronouns kad-vichni 197
properly reflexive object 180
propositions with accusative 69-70
receiver 176
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257
reciprocal use of reflexive pronouns 182

reflexiva tantum 182
reflexiva tantum 61, 182
reflexive passive 183
reflexive possessive pronouns 184-188
reflexive pronoun as general subject 183
reflexive pronouns 179-183
reflexive verbs 61
relations between present tense and infinitive 36-38
relative clauses pronominal 194-196
relative clauses 189-191
relative pronoun jen 191
relative pronoun kter 189-191
relative pronounn co 191
adverbs formed from adjectives 145-147
sounds of Czech 9-13
spatial adverbs 139-140
spatial prepositions 137
subjective genitive 87
subjectless clauses 221
suppletive verb forms 49
syllabic consonants 13
temporal clauses and temporal prepositions 211-213
temporal conjunctions 214-216
tense basic information 34
the constructions with rd 151-154
the list of prepositions 136
the verb to be 34
transitive and reflexive verbs 180
tykn 25
u jet 56
varieties of Czech 245-253
verb aspect 47-53
verb aspect and verb tense 50
verb aspect semantic distinctions 50 52
verb negation 43
verb prefixes 241-244
verb tense in indirect speech 208
verb tenses general remark 44
verbal adjective 192
verbal noun 179
verbs of motion 54-56
verbs present tense 34-39
verbs: morphological categories 34
vocative: function and forms 118-119
voice: active passive 34
voiced voiceless consonants 15
voicing assimilation of consonants 15
vokalizace pedloek 94
vowel length 10
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258
vowels 9-10
vykn 25
word classes 18
word order in general 219-221
word order in the past tense 41
word order of personal pronoun 72
word order of the pronoun se 61, 63, 112
word order: auxiliary verb, reflexive pronoun 62-63
word order: auxiliary, reflexive pronoun, personal pronouns 112
word stress 16
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K Tahal Grammar

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Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Factum CZ, s.r.o., 2010

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

systematic description of present day Czech

suitable for those who want to gain

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Written by: doc. PhDr. Karel Tahal, CSc.

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

More about adjectives and adverbs

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Although an average user of this type of manual is supposed to make single-shot

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

SURVEY OF SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

above the letter, i.e. , , , ,

The diacritic sign is called RKA.

byt (apartment) bt (to be);

The length sign (rka) should not be confused with stress !

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

palatal nasal consonant, corresponding to the Spanish [], e.g. maana

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

THE SYSTEM OF CONSONANTAL PHONEMES

Remarks on the above mentioned chart:

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION

The letter can only occur after the consonants

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

There are two exceptions to the mentioned rule:

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

into the car

near the window

during the summer

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

The explanation of spelling pronunciation relations can be concluded by stating that

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, PRONOUNS, NUMERALS

Pronouns constitute a heterogenous class, and it is useful to mention their

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

The chapters 4 11 introduce basic information about NOUNS and ADJECTIVES, as

An inseparable property of every Czech noun is the lexicogrammatical category of gender.

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

possessive pronouns (see more in chapter 7), e.g.

demonstrative pronouns (see more in chapter 8), e.g.

pronouns that have adjectival forms, e.g.

most ordinal numerals (see more in chapter 11), e.g.

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Martin mluvil anglicky.

Martin was speaking English.

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

Adjective forms must be in concord with the grammatical gender of noun.

In dictionaries and vocabularies, only the masculine form is presented.

MIND THE FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTIONS:

adj. refers to Praha, f.

adj. refers to msto, n.

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language

The interrogative pronoun JAK? (m.), JAK? (f.), JAK? (n.)

Ten pokoj je mal.

The interrogative pronoun KTER? (m.), KTER? (f.), KTER? (n.)

Karel Tahal: A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language