Language/Czech/Vocabulary/Greetings-and-Farewells
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As a Czech language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that greetings and introductions are essential for beginners to master. If you're traveling to the Czech Republic or simply want to impress your Czech-speaking friends, it's essential to have a basic understanding of common greetings and farewells. In this lesson, you will learn the Czech phrases used to greet and introduce yourself to others, as well as say goodbye.
Basic Vocabulary
To begin with, let's learn some of the most basic words and phrases used in Czech greetings and farewells:
| Czech | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| dobrý den | doh-breeh dehn | Good day |
| dobré ráno | doh-breh rah-noh | Good morning |
| dobrý večer | doh-breeh veh-chehr | Good evening |
| ahoj | ah-hoy | Hi / Bye |
| na shledanou | nah skhleh-dah-noh | Goodbye (formal) |
| čau | chow | Bye (informal) |
Note: The Czech language has formal and informal ways of addressing people.
You can use "dobrý den" in all possible situations, during a formal or informal meeting, and while talking to someone you don't know. "Dobré ráno" is a greeting used before noon, while "dobrý večer" is used after 6 pm. "Ahoj" is an all-purpose greeting, typically used with friends or people you know well. It can be used to say hello or goodbye.
"Na shledanou" is a more formal goodbye that can also be used in business settings. Note that it's typically only used when someone leaves your company. If you're the person leaving, you'll probably hear "sbohem" or "ahoj."
Basic Phrases
Now let's look at some basic phrases that will help you introduce yourself in Czech:
| Czech | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Jmenuji se... | yeh-meh-noo-yee seh... | My name is... |
| Těší mě | tye-shee myeh | Nice to meet you |
| Jak se máš? | yahk seh mahsh | How are you? (informal) |
| Jak se máte? | yahk seh mah-teh | How are you? (formal) |
| Děkuji | dyeh-koo-yee | Thank you |
| Prosím | proh-seem | Please |
Use "Jmenuji se..." followed by your name to introduce yourself. "Těší mě" means "it pleases me," and is a common way to say "nice to meet you." When someone asks you "Jak se máš?" or "Jak se máte?" you can reply with "Dobře, děkuji" meaning "I'm fine, thank you."
"Prosím" can mean "please," "you're welcome," or "excuse me," depending on the context.
Practice Makes Perfect
To get comfortable with these phrases, try practicing with a friend or language partner. You can also practice on your own, by imagining different scenarios in which you might use these phrases.
Here are some prompts to help you get started:
- Pretend you're meeting a new person for the first time. Introduce yourself and ask them their name.
- Imagine you're visiting a Czech-speaking country and ordering food at a restaurant. Use the phrases you've learned to greet the server and ask for what you want.
- Practice saying "Hello" and "Goodbye" in different informal and formal situations.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you have learned some of the most common Czech phrases used for greetings and farewells. These phrases will be useful in a variety of situations, from meeting new people to ordering food at a restaurant. Keep practicing and you'll be on your way to mastering Czech pleasantries in no time.
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