Czech phrasebook

Czech (čeština) is a West Slavic language, closely related to Slovak and Polish. Spoken by over 10 million people as a first language and at least 6 million who use it as a second language (mainly in Slovakia), Czech is the official language of the Czech Republic, and also understood by many in Slovakia.

Czech belongs to the "synthetic" language group, which means that unlike English and other "analytical" languages, different grammatical aspects are expressed in one word by changing the structure of that word - adding an ending or prefix, modifying the core of the word, etc. In analytical languages such as English, the same is achieved by using separate auxiliary verbs, pronouns or adjectives while the actual word remains unchanged. In Czech, one word is often sufficient to express what English can only achieve by using multiple words.

The only tricky sound to watch for in Czech is this 'ř' letter. It's like putting a trilled 'r' and 'su' in "pleasure" together to make up a 'rrrzh' sound.

Pronunciation guide

Pronunciation is very simple, since words are pronounced the same way as they are written. You only need to know, how to pronounce each letter.

Stress

Unlike e.g. Spanish, the accent doesn't mean a vowel is stressed. It means it's long. Czech is basically an unstressed language (all syllables given equal stress), but the (light) stress is always on the first syllable.

Short vowels

a: like 'u' in "cup" [uh]
e: like 'e' in "red" [eh]
i: like 'i' in "bit" [ih]
o: like 'o' in "bore" [oh]
u: like 'u' in "put" [oo]
y: same as 'i' [ih]

Long vowels

á: like 'a' in "far" [aa]
é: not found in English, but just stretch out the e sound
í: like 'ee' in "spleen" [ee]
ó: stretch out the o sound
ú/ů: like 'oo' in "pool" [ooh]
ý: like 'ee' in "speed" [ee] (and exactly the same pronunciation as í)

The vowel Ěě

The Czech vowel "ě" is pronounced in one of three ways, depending on the preceding letter.

dě, tě, ně: pronounced as though they were written ďe, ťe, ňe — the preceding consonant is softened and the e is pronounced [eh]
mě: pronounced as though it was written mňe — a soft n, like the Spanish ñ, is inserted and the e is pronounced [eh]
in all other cases (bě, pě, vě): ě is pronounced 'ye' as in "yet" but in a middle of a word 'ie' in "miedo"

Syllabic r, l

Consonants r and l are used also as syllabic (sonant), i. e. they stand as vowels. That's why they can shape seemingly unpronounceable groups of consonants as in the words zmrzlina, scvrnkls, zmrd, čtvrthrst, skrz etc.

Consonants

b: like 'b' in "bed"
c: like 'ts' in "tsunami"
č: like 'ch' in "child"
d: like 'd' in "dog"; dě, di, dí like ďe, ďi, ďí
ď: like 'd' in "duty"
f: like 'f' in "for"
g: like 'g' in "go"
h: like 'h' in "help"
ch: like 'ch' in the Scottish word "Loch"
j: like 'y' in "yell"
k: like 'k' in "king"
l: like 'l' in "love"
m: like 'm' in "mother"
n: like 'n' in "nice"; ně, ni, ní like ňe, ňi, ňí
ň: like 'ñ' in Spanish "señor"
p: like 'p' in "pig"
q: like 'q' in "quest" (very rare)
r: like Scottish 'r' (a.k.a. rolling 'r')
ř: like 'rzh'; is like the trilled 'r' and the 'su' in " pleasure " together, the tip of your tongue should vibrate loosely. Like "diversion". (This sound is very difficult for foreigners.)
s: like 's' in "hiss"

š: like 'sh' in "cash"
t: like 't' in "top"; tě, ti, tí like ťe, ťi, ťí
ť: like 'ti' in "Tatiana"
v: like 'v' in "victory"
w: like 'v' in "victor" (rarely used in Czech words, however used in German-originated proper nouns or words of Polish origin)
x: like 'cks' in "kicks"
z: like 'z' in "zebra"
ž: like 'j' in french "Jacques"

Diphthongs

Diphthongs are sounds that consist of two vowels within the same syllable (like in the English word "house").

au: like 'ow' in "cow"
eu: like 'eu' in "Europa"
ou: like 'o' in "go"

Nondigraphs

sh: is not digraph, but two separate consonats, not like the "sh" in "ship" but rather 's' followed by 'h' as in glass house. Because of the voice assimilation, it is pronounced usually as 's' followed by 'ch' in Bohemian dialects, or as 'z' followed by 'h' in Moravian dialects.

Assimilation

Czech writing is very phonetic but there are some anomalies. Preschool children write usually such words in phonologic spelling.

voice assimilaton at the bottom: some voiced consonant are pronounced as voiceless at the bottom of the word: mráz is pronounced as mrás, hřib as hřip, led as let, výtah as výtach, úsměv as úsmňef etc. The letter ř is used for voiced as well as voiceless variant.
voice assimilation in the group of consonants: some couples or groups of voiced and voicess consonant influences one another (roztok is pronounced as rostok, pod stromem is prounounced as potstromem). In case of h, the assimilation depends on the dialect: generally, Bohemian dialects prefer the voiceless, Moravian dialects prefer the voice (na shledanou is pronounced as na schledanou or as na zhledanou). Sonor consonants (m, n, j, r, l) are never voiceless even if they are near a voiceless consonant and commonly they don't change the neighboring consonant.
doubled consonants: in some cases, two equal consonant letters are next to each other. In some cases they fuse (cenný is prounounced as cený, měkký is pronounced as mňeký) but on some cases they must be pronounced separately: samoobsluha as samo-obsluha, nejjasnější as nej-jasňejší etc. The fused pronunciation can give a different meaning (nej- means most, ne- means un-)
fusion and omission: in popular and not careful pronunciation, some groups of consonants can merge and some consonants can be missed. Dětský if often pronounced as ďecký, dcera as cera, pojď sem can sound pocem, jestli as esi, jsem as sem, kdyby as dyby, všiml sis as šimsis, jestli sis všiml as esisisišim etc.

Phrase list

Basics

Hello. (formal, literally good day): Dobrý den. (DOH-bree dehn)
Hello. (informal): Ahoj. (ahoy)
How are you? (formal): Jak se máte? (yahk seh MAA-teh?) – used really as a question!
How are you? (informal): Jak se máš? (yahk seh MAA-sh?) – used really as a question!
Fine, thank you.: Dobře, děkuji. (DOH-brzheh, DYEH-koo-yih.)
What is your name? (informal): Jak se jmenuješ? (yahk seh YMEH-noo-yehsh?)
My name is ______ .: Jmenuji se ______ . (YMEH-noo-ee seh _____.)
Nice to meet you.: Těší mě. (TYEH-shee myeh.)
Please.: Prosím (Proseem)
Thank you.: Děkuji. (Dyekooyih.)
You're welcome.: Rádo se stalo. (Raado seh stulo.)
Yes.: Ano. (AH-noh.)
No.: Ne. (neh.)
Excuse me, I am sorry. (getting attention): Promiňte (PROH-mih-nyteh)
I'm sorry.: Je mi to líto. (yeh mee toh LEE-toh)
Goodbye.: Na shledanou. (NAHSH-leh-dah-noh)
I can't speak Czech [well].: Neumím [moc dobře] mluvit česky (Neh-oomeem [mots dobrzheh] mloovit cheskee.)
Do you speak English?: Mluvíte anglicky? (Mlooveeteh unglitskee?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Je tady někdo, kdo mluví anglicky? (Yeh tuhdih nyegdo gdo mloovee uhnglitskee?)
Help!: Pomoc! (POH-mohts!)
Look out!: Pozor! (Pozor!)

Good morning.: Dobré ráno (DOH-brehh RAHH-noh)
Good evening.: Dobrý večer (DOH-bree VEH-chehr)
Good night.: Dobrou noc (DOH-broh nohts)
I don't understand.: Nerozumím (NEH-roh-zoo-meem)
Where is the toilet?: Kde je záchod? (Gdeh yeh ZAHH-khoht?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Nechte mě být. (NEHKH-teh myeh beet)
Don't touch me!: Nedotýkejte se mě! (NEH-doh-tee-keh-teh seh myeh!)
I'll call the police.: Zavolám policii (ZAH-voh-laam POH-lee-tsee)
Police!: Policie! (POH-lee-tsee-eh!)
Stop! Thief!: Stůj, (stooyeh) zloději! (ZLOH-dyehy!)
I need your help.: Potřebuji vaši pomoc. (POHT-rzheh-boo-yee VAH-shee POH-mots)
It's an emergency.: Je to nouzová situace. (yeh toh NO-zoh-vaa SIH-to-ah-tseh)
I'm lost.: Jsem ztracen (YEH-sehm ZTRAH-tsehn)
I've lost my bag.: Ztratil jsem tašku (ZTRAH-til yeh-sehm TAHSH-koo)
I've lost my wallet.: Ztratil jsem peněženku (ZTRAH-til yeh-sehm PEH-ehh-zhehn-koo)
I'm sick.: Je mi špatně. (yeh mee SHPAH-tnehh)
I've been injured.: Jsem zraněn (YEH-sehm ZRAH-nehhn)
I need a doctor.: Potřebuji doktora (POHT-rgeh-boo-yee DOHK-toh-rah)
Can I use your phone?: Mohu použít váš telefon? (MOH-hoo pwoh-zheet vaash TEH-leh-fohn?)

Numbers

0: nula (NOO-lah)
1: jeden/jedna/jedno (YEH-dehn/ YEHD-nah/YEHD-noh)
2: dva/dvě (dvah/ dvyeh)
3: tři (trzhee)
4: čtyři (CHTEE-rzhee)
5: pět (pyeht)
6: šest (shehst)
7: sedm (SEH-duhm)
8: osm (OH-suhm)
9: devět (DEH-vyeht)
10: deset (DEH-seht)
11: jedenáct (YEH-deh-naatst)
12: dvanáct (DVAH-naatst)
13: třináct (TRZHEE-naatst)
14: čtrnáct (CHTR-naatst)
15: patnáct (PAHT-naatst)
16: šestnáct (SHEST-naatst)
17: sedmnáct (SEH-duhm-naatst)
18: osmnáct (OH-suhm-naatst)
19: devatenáct (DEH-vah-teh-naatst)
20: dvacet (DVAH-tseht)
21: dvacet jedna (DVAH-tseht YEHD-nah)
22: dvacet dva (DVAH-tseht dvah)
23: dvacet tři (DVAH-tseht trzhih)
30: třicet (TRZHIH-tseht)
40: čtyřicet (CHTIH-rzhih-tseht)
42: čtyřicet dva (CHTIH-rzhih-tseht dvah)
50: padesát (PAH-deh-saat)
60: šedesát (SHEH-deh-saat)
70: sedmdesát (SEH-duhm-deh-saat)
80: osmdesát (OH-suhm-deh-saat)
90: devadesát (DEH-vah-deh-saat)
100: sto (stoh)
175: sto sedmdesát pět (stoh SEH-duhm-deh-saat pyeht)

200: dvě stě (dvyeh styeh)
300: tři sta (trzhih stah)
1000: tisíc (TIH-seehts)
2000: dva tisíce (dvah TIH-see-tseh)
3758: tři tisíce sedm set padesát osm (trzhih TEE-see-tseh sehdm seht PAH-deh-saat ohsm)
1,000,000: milion (MIH-lyohn)
1,000,000,000: miliarda (MIH-lyahr-dah)
1,000,000,000,000: bilion (BIH-lyohn)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): číslo _____ (CHEES-loh)
half: půl (pool)
less (than): méně (než) (MEHH-nyeh (nehzh))
more (than): více (než) (VEE-tseh (nehzh))

Time

now: teď (tehtdd)
later: později (POHZ-dyeh-yih)
before: před (przhehd)
morning: ráno (RAHH-noh)
afternoon: odpoledne (OHD-poh-lehd-neh)
evening: večer (VEH-chehr)
night: noc (nohts)

Clock time

When using digital time in the Czech Republic, it's usual to use a 24 hour clock, ranging from 0.00 to 24.00. Okay, 24.00 is actually the same as 0.00, but one day later. However, both 12 and 24 hour formats can be used when speaking about time. There are three ways to specify, for example, two o'clock PM: "dvě hodiny" (literally "two hours", AM/PM information must be clear from the context), "dvě hodiny odpoledne" (literally "two hours in the afternoon") or "čtrnáct hodin" (literally "fourteen hours").

one o'clock AM: jedna hodina (YEHD-nah HOH-dih-nah)
two o'clock AM: dvě hodiny (dvyeh HOH-dih-nih)
noon: poledne (POH-lehd-neh)
one o'clock PM: třináct hodin (TRZHIH-naatst HOH-dihn)
two o'clock PM: čtrnáct hodin (CHTR-naatst HOH-dihn)
midnight: půlnoc (POOL-nohts)

There are two ways of expressing "fractional hours". The simpler way is just to spell out a digital time in the 24 hour format. For example 16:30 (half past four in the afternoon) would be spelled as "šestnáct třicet", literally "sixteen thirty". This way is often used when time exact down to a single minute is to be given or just because the speaker is too lazy to mentally convert a digital time to a different format.

The other, nicer way is as follows:

Quarter past nine (21:15) - čtvrt na deset (literally "a quarter to ten")

Half past nine (21:30) - půl desáté (literally "a half of the tenth")

A quarter to ten (21:45) - třičtvrtě na deset (literally "three quarters to ten")

The 12 hour format is always used with this method. If it is not clear from the context, it can be appended by a word like "ráno" (early morning), "dopoledne" (late morning), odpoledne (afternoon) or "večer" (evening), eg. "půl desáté večer" (21:30, "a half of ten in the evening").

Attention: When this method is used, Czech always refers to the upcoming full hour! This is different from English, which refers always to the full hour which is closer (and to the previous one when in the middle between two full hours).

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ minuta (if 2-4 then minuty, else minut) (mee-NOO-tah, mee-NOO-tih, MEE-noot)
_____ hour(s): _____ hodina (if 2-4 then hodiny, else hodin) (hoh-DIH-nah, hoh-DIH-nih, HOH-dihn)
_____ day(s): _____ den (if 2-4 then dny, else dní) (dehn, dnih, dnee)
_____ week(s): _____ týden (if 2-4 then týdny, else týdnů) (TOO-dehn, TOOD-nih, TOOD-noo)
_____ month(s): _____ měsíc (if 2-4 then měsíce, else měsíců) (MJEH-sihk, MJEH-sih-tseh, MJEH-sih-tsoo)
_____ year(s): _____ rok (if 2-4 then roky/léta, else roků/let) (rohk, ROH-kih/LAIR-tah, ROH-koo/leht)

Days

day: den (dehn)
night: noc (nohts)
afternoon: odpoledne (OHT-poh-lehd-neh)
morning: dopoledne (DOH-poh-lehd-neh)
today: dnes (dnehs)
tonight: dnes večer (dnehs VEH-chehr)
yesterday: včera (FCHEH-rah)
yesterday evening: včera v noci (FCHEH-rah veh NOH-tsee)
the day before yesterday: předevčírem (PRZHEH-dehf-chee-rehm)
tomorrow: zítra (ZEE-trah)
the day after tomorrow: pozítří (POH-zee-trzhee)
this week: tento týden (TEHN-toh TEE-dehn)
last week: minulý týden (MIH-noo-lee TEE-dehn)
next week: příští týden (PRZHEESH-tee TEE-dehn)

Monday is viewed as the first day in week in the Czech Republic.

Monday: pondělí (POHN-dyeh-lee)
Tuesday: úterý (OO-teh-ree)
Wednesday: středa (STRZHEH-dah)
Thursday: čtvrtek (CHTVR-tehk)
Friday: pátek (PAA-tehk)
Saturday: sobota (SOH-boh-tah)
Sunday: neděle (NEH-dyeh-leh)

Months

January: leden (LEH-dehn)
February: únor (OO-nohr)
March: březen (BRZHEH-zehn)
April: duben (DOO-behn)
May: květen (KVYEH-tehn)
June: červen (CHEHR-vehn)
July: červenec (CHER-veh-nehts)
August: srpen (SAIR-pehn)
September: září (ZAH-rzhee)
October: říjen (RZHEE-yehn)
November: listopad (LEES-toh-pahd)
December: prosinec (PROH-see-nehts)

Colors

black: černá (CHEHR-nahh)
white: bílá (BEE-lahh)
gray: šedá (SHEH-dahh)
red: červená (CHEHR-veh-nahh)
blue: modrá (MOH-drahh)
yellow: žlutá (ZHLOO-tahh)
green: zelená (ZEH-leh-nahh)
orange: oranžová (OH-rahn-zhoh-vahh)
purple: fialová (FYAH-loh-vahh)
brown: hnědá (HNYEH-dahh)
pink: růžová (ROO-zhoh-vahh)

Transportation

car: auto (OW-toh)
taxi: taxík (taxi can be use too) (TAH-kseek)
bus: autobus (OW-toh-boos)
van: dodávka (DOH-daav-kah)
carriage/wagon: vagón (VAH-gohhn)
truck: kamion (KAH-myohn)
train: vlak (vlahk)
trolley: trolejbus (TROH-lay-boos)
tram: tramvaj (TRAHM-vai)
airplane: letadlo (LEH-tahd-loh)
airline: letecká společnost (LEH-tehts-kaa spoh-lech-nost)
helicopter: helikoptéra (HEH-lee-kohp-tehh-rah)
boat: loď (lohj)
ship: loď (lohdj)
ferry: trajekt (TRAI-ehkt)
bicycle: kolo (KOH-loh), bicykl (BIH-tsykl)
motorcycle: motocykl (MOH-toh-tsykl)
subway: metro (MEH-troh)
Could I rent a car/bicycle/boat/van?: Mohl bych si půjčit auto/bicykl/loď/nákladní vůz? (mohl bihkh POOY-chiht OW-toh/BIH-tsykl/lohj/NAA-klahd-nee vooz?)
How much is the ferry/tram/trolley?: Kolik stojí jízda v trajektu/tramvaji/trolejbusu? (KOH-lihk stoyeeh yeezdah v TRAI-ehktoo/TRAHM-vaii/TROH-lay-boosuh?)

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Kolik stojí jízdenka do _____? (KOH-lihk STOH-yee YEEZ-dehn-kah doh)
One ticket to _____, please.: Jednu jízdenku do _____, prosím. (YEHD-noo YEEZ-dehn-koo doh, PROH-seem)
Where does this train/bus go?: Kam jede tento vlak/autobus? (kahm YEH-deh TEHN-toh vlahk/OW-toh-boos?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Kde je vlak/autobus do _____? (GDEH yeh vlahk/OW-toh-boos doh)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Staví tento vlak/autobus v _____? (STAH-vee TEHN-toh vlahk/OW-toh-boos vuh)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Kdy odjíždí vlak/autobus do _____? (GDIH OHT-yee-zhdyee vlahk/OW-toh-boos doh)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Kdy přijede tento vlak/autobus do _____? (GDIH PRZHIH-yeh-deh TEHN-toh vlahk/OW-toh-boos doh)
Next stop: _____. : Příští zastávka: _____. (PRZHIH-shtee zahs-TAHHV-kah)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Jak se dostanu do/k/na _____ ? (YAHK seh DOHS-tah-noo doh/k/nah?)
...the train station?: ...na vlakové nádraží? (nah VLAH-koh-vehh NAHH-drah-zhee?)
...the bus station?: ...na autobusové nádraží? (nah OW-toh-buh-soh-vehh NAH-drah-zhee?)
...the airport?: ...na letiště? (nah LEH-tihsh-tjeh)
...downtown?: ...do centra? (doh TSEHN-trah?)
...the youth hostel?: ...do hostelu/ubytovny pro mládež? (doh HOHS-teh-luh/OO-byh-toh-vnee proh mlah-dezh?)
...the _____ hotel?: ...do hotelu _____? (doh HOH-teh-luh?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...k americkému/kanadskému/australskému/britskému konzulátu? (kuh AH-meh-rihts-kehh-muh/KAH-nahds-kehh-muh/OWS-trahls-kehh-muh/BRIHTS-kehh-muh KOHN-zuh-lahh-tuh)
Where are there a lot of...: Kde je tu mnoho/hodně... (gdeh yeh tuh MNOH-hoh/HOHD-njeh)
...hotels?: ...hotelů? (HOH-teh-loo)
...restaurants?: ...restaurací? (REHS-tow-rah-tsee)
...bars?: ...barů? (BAHR-doo)
...sites to see?: ...míst k vidění? (meest kuh VIH-dyeh-nee?)
Can you show me on the map?: Můžete mi ukázat na mapě? (MOO-zheh-teh mih UH-kahh-zaht nah MAH-pyeh?)
street: ulice (OO-lih-tseh)
road/highway: silnice (SIHL-nih-tseh)
avenue: avenue (AH-veh-new)
boulevard: bulvár (BOOL-vaar)
Turn left.: Odbočte vlevo. (OHD-bohch-teh VLEH-voh)
Turn right.: Odbočte vpravo. (OHD-bohch-teh VPRAH-voh)
left: vlevo (VLEH-voh)
right: vpravo (VPRAH-voh)
straight ahead: rovně (ROHV-njeh)
towards the _____: směrem k _____ (SMJEH-rehm kuh)
past the _____: za _____ (zah)
before the _____: před _____ (przhehd)
Watch for the _____.: Hledejte _____. (HLEH-day-teh)
intersection: křižovatka (KRZHIH-zhoh-vaht-kah)
north: sever (SEH-vehr)
south: jih (yih)
east: východ (VEE-khohd)
west: západ (ZAHH-pahd)
uphill: nahoru (NAH-hoh-ruh)
downhill: dolů (DOH-loo)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxík! (TAHK-seek!)
Take me to _____, please.: Vezměte mě do/k/na _____, prosím. (VEHZ-myeh-teh mnyeh doh/kuh/nah, PROH-seem)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Kolik to stojí do/k/na _____? (KOH-lihk toh STOH-yee doh/kuh/nah?)
Take me there, please.: Vezměte mě tam, prosím. (VEHZ-myeh-teh mnyeh tahm, PROH-seem)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Máte volné pokoje? (MAHH-teh VOHL-nair POH-koh-yeh?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Kolik stojí pokoj pro jednu osobu/dvě osoby? (KOH-lihk STOH-yee POH-koy proh YEHD-nuh OH-soh-buh/dvyeh OH-soh-bih?)
Does the room come with...: Je v tom pokoji... (yeh vuh tohm POH-koy-ih)
...bedsheets?: ...povlečení? (POH-vleh-cheh-nee?)
...a bathroom?: ...koupelna? (KOH-pehl-nah?)
...a telephone?: ...telefon? (TEH-leh-fohn?)
...a TV?: ...televize? (TEH-leh-vih-zeh?)
...a shower?: ...sprcha? (SEH-spuhr-khah?)
May I see the room first?: Mohl bych ten pokoj nejprve vidět? (mohl bikh tehn POH-koy NAY-puhr-veh VIH-dyeht?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Nemáte něco klidnějšího? (NEH-mahh-teh NYEH-tsoh KLIHD-nyeh-shee-hoh?)
...bigger?: ...většího? (VYEHT-shee-hoh)
...cleaner?: ...čistějšího? (CHIHS-tyeh-shee-hoh)
...cheaper?: ...levnějšího? (LEHV-nyeh-shee-hoh)

It's fine, I'll take it.: Je to fajn, vezmu si ho. (YEH-toh fine, VEHZ-muh sih hoh)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Zůstanu zde _____ nocí (if 1, then noc; if 2-4, then noci instead of nocí). (ZOOS-tah-noo zdeh....nohts (NOHTS)/(NOH-tsih)/(NOH-tsee))
Can you suggest another hotel?: Můžete mi doporučit jiný hotel? (MOO-zheh-teh mih DOH-poh-roo-chiht YIH-nee HOH-tehl?)
Do you have a safe?: Máte trezor/sejf? (MAA-teh tre-sor/sayf?)
...lockers?: ...skříň (na šaty)? (SKRZHEE-nyeh (nah SHAH-tih))
Is breakfast/supper included?: Je to včetně snídaně/večeře? (yeh toh VCHEHT-nyeh SNYEE-dah-nyeh/VEH-cheh-rzheh?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: V kolik hodin je snídaně/večeře? (vuh KOH-lihk HOH-dihn yeh SNIH-dah-nyeh/VEH-cheh-rzheh?)
Please clean my room.: Ukliďte mi prosím pokoj. (OOK-leej-teh mih PROH-seem POH-koy)
Can you wake me at _____?: Mohl byste mě vzbudit v/o _____? (mohl BIHS-teh VUHZ-buh-diht vuh/oh...?)
I want to check out.: Chtěl bych se odhlásit. (khtyehl bihkh seh OHD-hlahh-siht)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Berete americké/australské/kanadské dolary? (BEH-reh-teh AMEH-rihts-kehh/OWS-trahls-kehh/KAH-nahds-kehh DOH-lah-rih?)
Do you accept euros?: Berete eura? (BEH-reh-teh EUH-rah?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Berete anglické libry? (BEH-reh-teh AHN-glihts-kehh LIH-brih?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Berete kreditní karty? (BEH-reh-teh KREH-diht-nee KAHR-tih?)
Can you change money for me?: Směníte mi peníze? (SMYEH-nee-teh mih PEH-nee-zeh?)
Where can I get money changed?: Kde si můžu směnit peníze? (gdeh sih MOO-zhuh SMYEH-niht PEH-nee-zeh?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Můžete mi směnit cestovní šek? (MOO-zheh-teh mih SMYEH-niht TSEHS-tohv-nee shehk?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Kde si můžu směnit cestovní šek? (gdeh sih MOO-zhuh SMYEH-niht TSEHS-tohv-nee shehk?)
What is the exchange rate?: Jaký je kurs? (YAH-kee yeh kuhrs?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Kde je tady bankomat? (gdeh yeh TAH-dih BAHN-koh-maht?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Stůl pro dvě osoby, prosím. (stool proh dvyeh OH-soh-bih, PROH-seem)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Můžu se podívat na jídelní lístek, prosím? (MOO-zhoo seh poh-DEE-vaht nah yee-DEHL-nee LEES-tehk, PROH-seem?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Můžu se podívat do kuchyně? (MOO-zhoo seh poh-DEE-vaht doh koo-CHIH-nyeh?)
Is there a house specialty?: Máte nějakou specialitu podniku?
Is there a local specialty?: Máte nějakou místní specialitu?
I'm a vegetarian.: Jsem vegetarián. (ysehm veh-geh-TAH-ryahhn)
I don't eat pork.: Nejím vepřové (maso). (NEH-yeem VEH-przhoh-vehh (MAH-soh))
I don't eat beef.: Nejím hovězí (maso). (NEH-yeem hoh-VYEH-zee (MAH-soh))
I only eat kosher food.: Jím jenom košer jídlo. (yeem YEH-nohm KOH-shehr YEED-loh)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Mohl byste to udělat bez tuku, prosím? (mohl BIHS-teh toh oo-DYEH-laht behz TOO-koo, PROH-seem?)
fixed-price meal: menu (MEH-noo)
a la carte: denní menu/jídelní lístek (DEHN-nee MEH-noo/yee-DEHL-nee LEES-kehk)
breakfast: snídaně (SNEE-dah-nyeh)
lunch: oběd (OH-byehd)
tea (meal): svačina (SVAH-chih-nah)
supper: večeře (VEH-cheh-rzheh)
I would like_____.: Chtěl bych _____. (khtyehl bihkh....)
spoon: lžíce (LZHEE-tseh)
fork: vidlička (vih-DLIH-tshka)
knife: nůž (noozh)
plate: talíř (TAH-leerzh)
glass: sklenice (skleh-NIH-tseh)
napkin: ubrousek (UH-bhr-ow-shek)

I want a dish containing _____.: Chtěl bych chod obsahující _____. (khtyehl bihkh chohd ohb-sah-HOO-yee-tsee...)
chicken: kuře (KOO-rzheh)
beef: hovězí (hoh-VYEH-zee)
fish: rybu (RIH-boo)
ham: šunku (SHOON-koo)
sausage: salám (SAH-laam)
cheese: sýr (seer)
eggs: vejce (VAY-tseh)
salad: salát (SAH-laat)
(fresh) vegetables: (čerstvou) zeleninu ((CHEHRST-voh-uh) zeh-leh-NIH-noo)
(fresh) fruit: (čerstvé) ovoce ((CHEHRST-vehh) oh-VOH-tseh)
bread: chleba (KHLEH-bah)
toast: toust (towst)
noodles: nudle (NOO-dleh)
rice: rýži (REE-zhih)
beans: fazole (FAH-zoh-leh)
ice-cream: zmrzlina (Zmerzlina)
May I have a glass of _____?: Mohl bych dostat sklenici _____? (mohl bihkh DOHS-taht skleh-NIH-tsih....?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Mohl bych dostat šálek _____? (mohl bihkh DOHS-taht SHAHH-lehk....?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Mohl bych dostat láhev _____? (mohl bihkh DOHS-taht LAHH-hehf....?)
coffee: kávy/kafe (KAHH-vih/KAH-feh)
tea (drink): čaje (CHAH-yeh)
juice: džusu (JUH-suh)
(bubbly) water: (perlivá) voda. ((per-lih-vaa) VOH-dah)
water: voda (VOH-dah)
beer: pivo (PIH-voh)
red/white wine: červeného/bílého vína (CHEHR-veh-nehh-hoh/BEE-lehh-hoh VEE-nah)
May I have some _____?: Můžete mi přinést _____? (moo-ZHEH-teh mih PRZHIH-nehhst...?)
salt: sůl (sool)
black pepper: černý pepř (CHEHR-nee pehprzh)
butter: máslo (MAHHS-loh)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Promiňte, číšníku? (proh-MIHNY-teh, cheesh-NEE-koo?)
I'm finished.: Dojedl jsem. (DOH-yehdl ysehm)
It was delicious.: Bylo to výborné. (BIH-loh toh vee-BOHR-nyeh)
Please clear the plates.: Odneste talíře, prosím. (ohd-NEHS-teh tah-LEE-feh, PROH-seem)
The check, please.: Zaplatím, prosím. (ZAH-plah-teem, PROH-seem)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Podáváte alkohol? (poh-dahh-VAHH-teh ahl-KOH-hohl?)
Is there table service?: Obsluhuje se tu? (ohbsloohooye se too?)
A beer/two beers, please.: (Jedno) pivo/dvě piva, prosím. ((YEHD-noh) PIH-voh/dvyeh PIH-vah, PROH-seem)
Becherovka, please.: Becherovku, prosím. (beh-kheh-ROHF-kuh, PROH-seem)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: skleničku červeného/bílého vína, prosím. (Sklanichku CHEHR-veh-nehho/BEE-lehho VEE-noha, PROH-seem)
Half a litre, please.: Půl litru, prosím. (pool LIH-truh, PROH-seem)
A bottle, please.: Láhev, prosím. (LAHH-hehf, PROH-seem)
whiskey: whiskey (VEES-kee)
vodka: vodka (VOHD-kah)
rum: rum (ruhm)
water: voda (VOH-dah)
club soda: limonáda (lih-moh-NAHH-dah)
tonic water: tonik (TOH-nihk)
orange juice: pomerančový džus (POH-meh-rahn-choh-vee joos)
Coke (soda): kola (KOH-lah)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Máte něco pro chuť? (MAHH-teh NYEH-tsoh proh khootch?)
One more, please.: Ještě jedno, prosím. (YEHSH-tyeh YEHD-noh, PROH-seem)
Another round, please.: Ještě jednou, prosím. (YEHSH-tyeh YEHD-now, PROH-seem)
When is closing time?: Kdy zavíráte? (kdih zah-vee-RAHH-teh?)
Cheers!: Na zdraví! (nah ZDRAH-vee!)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Máte to v mé velikosti? (MAHH-teh toh veh mehh VEH-lih-kohs-tih?)
How much is this?: Kolik stojí tohle? (KOH-lihk STOH-yee TOH-leh?)
That's too expensive.: To je příliš drahé. (toh yeh PRZHEE-lihsh DRAH-hehh)
Would you take _____?: Prodal byste to za ___ ? (PROH-dahl BIHS-teh toh zah....?)
expensive: drahé (DRAH-hehh)
cheap: levné (LEHF-nehh)
I can't afford it.: Nemůžu si to dovolit. (NEH-moo-zhuh sih toh DOH-voh-liht)
I don't want it.: Nechci to. (NETS-htsih toh)
I know that this is not the regular price.: Vím, že tohle není běžná cena. (veem, zheh TOH-leh NEH-nee BYEHZH-nahh TSEH-nah)
You're cheating me.: Snažíte se mě podvést. (SNAH-zhee-teh seh myeh POHD-vehhst)
I'm not interested.: Nemám zájem. (NEH-mahhm ZAHH-yehm)
OK, I'll take it.: Dobře, vezmu si to. (DOH-brhzeh, VEHZ-muh sih toh)
Can I have a bag?: Můžu dostat tašku? (MOO-zhuh DOHS-taht TASH-kuh?)
Can I pay by a credit card?/ Do you take credit cards?: Můžu platit kreditkou?/ Berete kreditky? (MOO-zhuh PLAH-tiht KREH-diht-kow?/BEH-reh-teh KREH-diht-kih?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Zasíláte to (do zámoří)? (ZAH-see-lahh-teh toh (doh ZAHH-moh-rzhee))
I need...: Potřebuji... (POH-trzheh-boo-yih)
...toothpaste.: ...zubní pastu. (ZOOB-nee PAHS-too)
...a toothbrush.: ...kartáček na zuby. (KAHR-tahh-check nah ZOO-bih)
...tampons.: ...tampóny. (TAHM-pohh-nih)
...feminine napkins.: ...dámské vložky (DAAM-skeh VER-losh-kih)
...soap.: ...mýdlo. (MOOD-loh)
...shampoo.: ...šampón. (SHAHM-pohhn)
...conditioner.: ...kondicionér. (KOHN-dih-tsyoh-nehhr)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...lék proti bolesti. (lyehk PROH-tih BOH-lehs-tih)
Note: You will get medicine in pharmacies ("Lékárna", (LEHH-kahhr-nah) with green sign) only, not in normal drugstores
...cold medicine.: ...něco proti nachlazení. (NYEH-tsoh PROH-tih NAHK-lah-zeh-nee)
...stomach medicine.: ...tablety na trávení. (TAH-bleh-tih nah TRAHH-veh-nee)
...a razor.: ...holicí strojek. (HOH-lih-tsee STROH-ee-ehk)
...a razor (blade): ...žiletku. (ZHIH-leht-kuh)
...tweezers.: ...pinzetu. (PIHN-zeh-tuh)
...an umbrella.: ...deštník. (DEHSHT-neek)
...sunblock lotion.: ...opalovací krém. (OH-pah-loh-vah-tsee krehhm)

...a postcard.: ...pohlednici. (POH-lehd-nih-tsih)
...postage stamps.: ...poštovní známku. (POHSH-tohf-nee ZNAHHM-kuh)
...batteries.: ...baterie. (BAH-teh-ryeh)
...writing paper.: ...papír na psaní. (PAH-peer nah PSAH-nee)
...a pen.: ...pero. (PEH-roh)
...English-language books.: ...knihy v angličtině. (KNIH-hih veh AHN-glihch-tih-nyeh)
...English-language magazines.: ...časopisy v angličtině. (CHAH-soh-pih-sih veh AHN-glihch-tih-nyeh)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...noviny v angličtině. (NOH-vih-nih veh AHN-glihch-tih-nyeh)
...an English-Czech dictionary.: ...anglicko-český slovník. (AHN-glihts-koh-CHEHS-kee SLOHF-neek)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Chtěl bych si pronajmout auto. (khtyehl bihkh sih proh-NAI-mowt OW-toh)
Can I get insurance?: Můžu si sjednat pojištění? (MOO-zhuh sih SYEHD-naht POY-ihsh-tyeh-nee?)
stop (on a street sign): stop (stohp)
one way: jednosměrná ulice (YEHD-nohs-myehr-nahh oo-LEE-tseh)
yield: dej přednost v jízdě (day PRZHEHD-nohst vah YEEZ-dyeh)
no parking: zákaz parkování (ZAHH-kahz PAHR-koh-vahh-nee)
speed limit: omezení rychlosti (oh-MEH-zeh-nee RIHKH-lohs-tih)
gas (petrol) station: čerpací stanice / benzínka (CHEHR-pah-tsee STAH-nih-tseh/BEHN-zeen-kah)
petrol: benzín (BEHN-zeen)
diesel: diesel / nafta (DEE-sehl/NAHF-tah)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Neudělal jsem nic špatného. (NEW-dyeh-lahl ysehm nihts SHPAHT-nehh-hoh)
It was a misunderstanding.: To bylo nedorozumění. (toh BIH-loh neh-DOH-roh-zoo-myeh-nee)
Where are you taking me?: Kam mě vedete? (kahm myeh veh-DEH-teh?)
Am I under arrest?: Jsem zatčen? (ysehm ZAHT-chehn?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Jsem americký/australský/britský/kanadský občan. (ysehm ah-MEH-rits-kih/ows-TRAHLS-kih/BRIHTS-kih/kah-NAHDS-kih OHB-chahn)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy(consulate).: Chci mluvit s americkým/australským/britským/kanadským konzulátem. (khtsih MLOO-viht sah ah-MEH-reets-kih/ows-TRAHLS-kih/BRIHTS-kih/kah-NAHDS-kihm kohn-ZOO-lahh-tehm)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Chci mluvit s právníkem. (khtsee MLOO-viht suh PRAHHF-nee-kehm)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Stačí jen zaplatit a jít? (STAH-chee yehn ZAH-plah-tiht ah yeet?)

Language Barrier

Do you speak English?: Mluvíte anglicky? (MLOO-vee-teh AHN-glihts-kih?)
Does anyone speak English?: Mluví tu někdo anglicky? (MLOO-vee too NYEHK-doh ahn-GLIHTS-kih?)
I speak a little_____.: Umím trochu _____. (OO-meem TROH-koo___)
I understand.: Chápu./ Rozumím (KHAHH-poo/ ROH-zoo-meem)
I don't understand.: Nerozumím. (neh-ROH-zoo-meem)
Could you speak more slowly, please?: Mohl byste mluvit pomaleji, prosím?
Could you repeat that?: Mohl byste to zopakovat? (mohl BIHS-teh toh zoh-PAH-koh-vaht?)
What does_______mean?: Co znamená _____. (tsoh ZNAH-meh-nahh)
How do you say _____ ?: Jak se řekne _____ ? (yahk seh RZHEHK-neh____?)
What is this/that called?: Jak se tohle/tamto jmenuje? (yahk seh TOH-leh/TAHM-toh YMEH-noo-yeh?)
Could you show me in my dictionary/phrasebook?: Můžete mi ukázat v mém slovníku? (moo-ZHEH-teh mih oo-KAHH-zaht vuh mehhm SLOHV-nee-koo)

Emergencies

Help!: Pomoc! (POH-mohts!)
Look out!: Pozor! (POH-zohr!)
Fire!: Hoří! (HOH-rzhee!)
Go away!: Jděte pryč! (YDYEH-teh prihch!)
Thief!: Zloděj! (ZLOH-dyehj!)
Stop thief!: Chyťte zloděje! (KHIHTCH-teh ZLOH-dyeh-yeh!)
Call the police!: Zavolejte policii! (ZAH-voh-lay-teh POH-lih-tsee!)
Where is the police station?: Kde je tu policejní stanice? (kdeh yeh too POH-lih-tsay-nee STAH-nih-tseh?)
Can you help me please?: Mohl byste mi pomoct, prosím? (mohl BIHS-teh mih POH-mohts, PROH-seem?)
Could I use your telephone/mobil/cell phone?: Můžu si půjčit Váš telefon/mobil/mobilní telefon? (MOO-zhoo sih poo-ychit vaash TEH-leh-fohn/MOH-bihl/MOH-bihl-nee TEH-leh-fohn?)
There's been an accident!: Došlo k nehodě! (DOSH-loh kuh NEH-hoh-dyeh?)
Call a: Zavolejte (ZAH-voh-lay-teh)
...doctor!: ...doktora! (DOHK-toh-rah!)
...an ambulance!: ...záchranku! (ZAHH-khrahn-koo!)
I need medical attention!: Potřebuji lékaře! (POH-trzheh-boo-yih LEH-kah-rzhe!)
I'm ill.: Jsem nemocný. (ysehm NEH-moht-nee)
I'm lost.: Ztratil jsem se. (ZTRAH-tihl ysehm seh)
I've been raped!: Znásilnili mě! (ZNAHH-sihl-nih-lih myeh!)
Where are the toilets?: Kde jsou tu záchody? (kdeh ysoh too ZAHH-kho-dih?)

This Czech phrasebook has guide status. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. Please contribute and help us make it a star!