Learn The Common Czech Words First
In order to have even the most basic conversation in Czech, it is essential to have a strong understanding of Czech vocabulary. However, non-verbal communication might be an exception to this rule. Nevertheless, in your daily interactions with neighbors, friends, and coworkers, you will likely use basic Czech nouns, adjectives, verbs, and interrogative words.
One of the keys to fluency in any language is learning the most common vocabulary first. According to research, 92% of spoken Czech is made up of 2500 words. Furthermore, 82% of all Czech text is made up of the top 2500 Czech words. This is remarkable, considering there are currently around 150,000 words in modern use. Learning by frequency is an excellent way to quickly increase your knowledge of common words in Czech.
Learning common Czech words can help you communicate more easily and effectively. If you don't yet have a strong grasp of grammar and verb conjugation, you can still get by if you know enough words. Having a broad vocabulary makes it easier for you to understand, read, speak and write Czech. You might not win any awards for your language skills, but you'll be able to get by in everyday life.
Building a strong vocabulary starts with learning the most common words in any language. By expanding your knowledge to include more unique terms relevant to your situation, you'll be able to communicate more effectively. For example, if you're planning to spend some time surfing in the Czech Republic, first learn the basics, then find or create a vocabulary list that covers specific surfing terms.
The MostUsedWords Lists of Common Czech Words
To help you learn Czech vocabulary fast, we create frequency dictionaries. Our Czech series gives you a neatly organized list of the most common words in Czech. You can get them as e-books from our website, or as paperbacks from Amazon.
Our books are listed alphabetically, by frequency, and by frequency as part of speech. Each entry comes with IPA phonetic spelling. This will help you correctly pronounce Czech words. Each entry comes with a Czech-English example sentence, because vocabulary is best learned in chunks and in context.
Below are the links to the paperbacks on Amazon. They are affiliate links. That means we might get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links.
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 1 - Beginner Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 2 - Intermediate Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 3 - Advanced Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 4 - Master Vocabulary
Make the most of your Czech studies by purchasing two sets of our Czech Frequency Dictionaries, available on our website. With 5000 common words, you can communicate confidently in various situations.
Czech Words for Beginners
Here are some of the most common Czech words and sentences to help you get started learning Czech. These are a great way to start building your basic Czech vocabulary.
Common Czech Greetings
It is impossible to communicate with small groups of people without knowing Czech greetings first. Here are some:
“dobré ráno” which means “Good morning”
“dobré odpoledne” which means “Good afternoon”
“dobrý večer” which means “Good evening”
“dobrou noc” which means “Good night”
“jak se máte?” which means “How are you?”
“jak to jde?” which means “How’s it going?”
“Co to děláš?” which means “What are you doing?”
“co se děje?” which means “What’s happening?”
You can use these following conversational Czech phrases as a reply if someone asks you those questions:
“dobře, děkuji” meaning: Good, thank you
“výborně”, meaning: Great / Very well
“tak, tak”, meaning: So, so
“jako vždy”, meaning: As always
“a ty?”, meaning: And you?
How to Introduce Yourself in Czech
You can say these to introduce yourself:
“Jmenuju se...” - My name is
“jsem…” - I am
You can ask for the name of the person you are talking to by saying:
“Jak se jmenuješ?”- What is your name?
And you can answer them by saying:
“Rád vás poznávám”, which means “nice to meet you”
Common Polite Words and Expressions in Czech
These Czech phrases are sure to come in handy to avoid offending anyone during a conversation. Being polite can take you anywhere! Try it by saying:
“Děkuji!” - Thank you!
“Děkuji mnohokrát!” - Thank you very much!
“nemáš zač!” - You’re welcome!
“Prosím” - Please
“Promiňte” - Sorry / Excuse me
Common Question Words in Czech
To make your conversations with people more effective, you need to be able to ask questions. Here are some Czech question words that you can learn immediately:
“Co?” - What?
“SZO?” - Who?
“Když?”- When?
“Kde?” - Where?
“Proč?” - Why?
“Který?” - Which?
“Jak?” - How?
Here are more useful questions you might like to know:
Saying “Kolik je hodin?” is how you ask what time is it
Saying “Odkud jste?” is how you ask where they are from
Saying “Kde bydlíš?” is how you ask where they live
Saying “můžeš mi pomoci?” is how you ask if they can help you
Saying “Mohu vám pomoci?” is how you ask if you can help them
Saying “Kolik to bude stát?” is how you ask how much it cost
Saying “rozumíš?” is how you ask if they understand
Saying “mluvíš anglicky?” is how you ask if they speak English
Saying “co to znamená?” is how you ask what [word] means
Saying “můžeš mluvit pomaleji?” is how you ask them if they can speak slowly
Saying “kde najdu taxi?” is how you ask where to find a taxi
And you should know what to answer:
“ano” means: Yes
“ne” means: No
“možná” means: Maybe
“vždy” means: Always
“nikdy” means: Never
“samozřejmě” means: Of course
“žádný problém!” means: No problem!
“nerozumím” means: I don’t understand
“Nevím” means: I don’t know
“nemám ponětí” means: I have no idea
“Nemluvím česky” means: I don’t speak Czech
“ztratil jsem se” means: I’m lost
“moje čeština je špatná” means: My Czech is bad
Celebrate in Czech
Czech has many expressions that can be used to celebrate special occasions. These phrases are ideal for events such as birthdays or parties with friends:
“Všechno nejlepší k narozeninám!” to say “Happy Birthday!”
“Gratulujeme” to say “Congratulations!”
“bavte se” to say “Have fun!”
“dobrou chuť” to say “enjoy your meal!”
“Vítejte!” to say “Welcome!”
“Na zdraví!” to say “Cheers!”
Saying goodbye in Czech
It's difficult to say goodbye, especially if you don’t know how. Here are some Czech phrases you can use to end a conversation and leave:
“sbohem” means “Goodbye”
“uvidíme se později” means “See you later”
“Uvidíme se zítra” means “See you tomorrow”
“Uvidíme se” means “See you”
“opatruj se!” means “Take care (of yourself)!”
“hezký den!” means “Have a nice day!”
“brzy se uvidíme!” means “See you soon!”
“šťastnou cestu!” means “Happy journey!”
These common Czech words will help you start a conversation with a native speaker. You only need to practice these phrases and vocabulary frequently to improve your language fluency. You will soon recognize these words and use them naturally if you familiarize yourself with the words.
Resources for Adding More Czech Words to Your Vocabulary
Of course, not all Czech words can be put in just one article. If you want to really learn Czech, you need a reliable and practical source to learn from. Our Czech frequency dictionaries are designed specifically for learners looking to quickly improve their Czech. They are made for each level, from complete beginners and intermediates, to advanced and near-fluent students.
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 1 - Beginner Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 2 - Intermediate Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 3 - Advanced Vocabulary
- Czech Frequency Dictionary 4 - Master Vocabulary
MostUsedWords created these books for language learners who want to improve their fluency. 10,000 Czech words are divided into these, so each book can accommodate learners with different Czech language proficiency. The frequency dictionaries can be used as a stand alone tool or in combination with other language learning apps, books, and programs. They are available as e-books on our website or paperbacks at Amazon.