100 Basic Czech Phrases Every Traveller Should Know
Essential Czech Greetings
Welcome to the world of Czech greetings! Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning for another adventure in the Czech Republic, mastering these essential phrases will help you make a great impression.
| Czech | IPA | English | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahoj | /ˈaɦɔj/ | Hello (informal) | Informal |
| Dobrý den | /ˈdopriː dɛn/ | Good day (formal) | Formal |
| Ahojte | /ˈaɦɔjtɛ/ | Hello (plural informal) | Informal |
| Dobrý den, pánové / paní | /ˈdopriː dɛn paˈnovɛ/ /paˈniː/ | Gentlemen / Ladies, good day (plural formal) | Formal |
| Dobrý večer | /ˈdopriː vɛtʃɛr/ | Good evening (formal) | Formal |
| Dobrou noc | /ˈdobruː nɔts/ | Good night (formal) | Formal |
| Vítej / Vítáme vás | /viːtɛj/ /viˈtaːmɛ vaːs/ | Welcome (singular informal) / Welcome (plural formal) | Semi-formal to Informal |
| Dobrý den, jak se máte? | /ˈdopriː dɛn jak sɛ ˈmaːtɛ/ | Good day, how are you? (formal) | Formal |
Courtesy Phrases: Please, Thank You & Sorry
In Czech culture, politeness is key. Here’s a selection of essential phrases to help you navigate social interactions with grace.
| Phrase | IPA | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Prosím (please) | /ˈprosɪm/ | Please, used for requests and to express politeness. |
| Děkuji (thank you) | /dɛkujɪ/ | Thank you. Use this phrase after receiving a service or gift. |
| Promiňte (sorry, formal) | /ˈprɔmintsɛ/ | Sorry, used in formal situations to apologize. |
| Omlouvám se (I'm sorry) | /ˈomlouvam sɛ/ | I’m sorry. Use this phrase for a more sincere apology. |
| Můžete mi pomoci? (Can you help me?) | /muːʒtɛ mi pɔˈmutsɪ/ | Can you help me? |
| Víte, kde je to? (Do you know where it is?) | /viːtɛ kde ɟɛ to/ | Do you know where it is? |
| Můžu si posadit zde? (May I sit here?) | /muːʒu sɪ pɔˈsatit zdɛ/ | May I sit here? |
| Děkuji za vaši pomoc. (Thank you for your help.) | /dɛkujɪ za vaʃi pomuts/ | Thank you for your help. |
Ordering Food and Drinks in Czech
Eating out is a delightful experience in the Czech Republic. Here are some phrases to make ordering food and drinks smoother.
| Czech Phrase | IPA | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Jídelní lístek prosím (Menu please) | /ˈjiːdɛlni lɪstk ˈprosɪm/ | Please give me the menu. |
| Chci objednat... (I would like to order...) | /xtsi ɔjɛdnaːt/ | I would like to order... |
| Kolik to stojí? (How much does it cost?) | /koˈlik to stɔji/ | How much does it cost? |
| Účet prosím (Check please) | /uːtʃɛt ˈprosɪm/ | Please bring the bill. |
| Bez lepku (Without sugar) | </bɛz lɛpkʊ/ | No sugar, please. |
| Jsem vegetarián (I am vegetarian) | /jʃɛm vɛtɛɡaˈrɪan/ | I am a vegetarian. |
| Máte něco bez mléka? (Do you have anything without milk?) | /maːte ˈnɛtsɔ bɛz mlɛkɑː/ | Do you have anything without milk? |
| Víte, jaké jídlo je bez mléka? (Do you know which food is dairy-free?) | /viːtɛ jakɛ jiːdlɔ je bɛz mlɛkɑː/ | Do you know which food is dairy-free? |
| Můžete mi přijít s čerstvým chlebem? (Can I have some fresh bread?) | /muːʒtɛ mi prɪˈjit tsɛrʃtvim xlɛbɛm/ | Can I have some fresh bread? |
| Máte něco bez cukru? (Do you have anything without sugar?) | /maːte ˈnɛtsɔ bɛz tsukrʊ/ | Do you have anything without sugar? |
Getting Around: Czech Phrases for Transport & Directions
Navigating the city or countryside is easier when you know a few key phrases. Here are some useful expressions to help you get around.
| Czech Phrase | IPA |
|---|---|
| Kde je...? (Where is...?) | /kde ɟɛ/ |
| Jak se dostanu na...? (How do I get to...?) | /jak sɛ dɔstɑˈnu na/ |
| Jízdenku prosím (Ticket please) | /jiːzdɛŋkʊ ˈprosɪm/ |
| Na letišti (To the airport) | /na lɛtis̪ti/ |
| Kolik to stojí? (How much does it cost?) | /koˈlik to stɔji/ |
| Jaké je nejbližší autobusová zastávka? (What is the nearest bus stop?) | /jakɛ je ɲɛbjɪzʃiː auˈbusova zastavka/ |
| Víte, jak se dostanu na...? (Do you know how to get to...?) | /viːtɛ jak sɛ dɔstɑˈnu na/ |
| Můžete mi řícti adresu? (Can you tell me the address?) | /muːʒtɛ mi ˈrjitsit adɛzʊ/ |
| Víte, jaké je nejbližší tramvajová zastávka? (Do you know which is the nearest tram stop?) | /viːtɛ jakɛ je ɲɛbjɪzʃiː tramˈvajaː zastavka/ |
| Víte, kde je nádraží? (Do you know where the station is?) | /viːtɛ kde ɟɛ naˈdrɑʒɪjɪ/ |
Shopping in Czech
Whether you're browsing for souvenirs or necessities, these phrases will help you shop with confidence.
| Czech Phrase | IPA | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Kolik stojí? (How much does it cost?) | /koˈlik stɔji/ | How much does it cost? |
| Mají to ve velikosti...? (Do they have this in size...?) | /majɪ to vɛ ˈvelikostɪ/ | Do you have this in size...? |
| Mohu platit kartou? (Can I pay with a card?) | /moɦu platiːt kaˈrtou/ | Can I pay by credit card? |
| Chci vrátit zboží (I would like to return the goods) | /xtsi vratit ˈzboʒɪ/ | I would like to return this item. |
| Můžete mi řícti adresu? (Can you tell me the address?) | /muːʒtɛ mi ˈrjitsit adɛzʊ/ | Could you give me your address? |
| Víte, kde je to nejbližší bankomat? (Do you know where the nearest ATM is?) | /viːtɛ kde ɟɛ to ɲɛbjɪzʃiː banˈkomat/ | Do you know where the nearest ATM is? |
| Můžete mi řícti, jaké je nejbližší obchod? (Can you tell me which shop is closest?) | /muːʒtɛ mi ˈrjitsit jakɛ je ɲɛbjɪzʃiː obxɔd/ | Could you tell me where the nearest shop is? |
| Víte, kde je to nejbližší obchod s piva? (Do you know where the nearest beer shop is?) | </viːtɛ kde ɟɛ to ɲɛbjɪzʃiː opxɔd spivɑ/ | Do you know where the nearest beer shop is? |
Numbers 1–10 in Czech
Knowing numbers is crucial for everything from counting money to telling time. Here’s a quick reference guide.
| Number | Czech | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jedna | /ˈjɛdna/ |
| 2 | Dvě | /dveː/ |
| 3 | Tři | /tʃriː/ |
| 4 | Čtyři | /ˈtʃtʃrɪrɪ/ |
| 5 | Pět | /pɛjt/ |
| 6 | Sedm | /sɛdm/ |
| 7 | Osma | /ˈɔsmɑ/ |
| 8 | Devět | /dɛvɛjt/ |