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Archive for the 'Speak Czech' Category

Czech Quotes and Proverbs: Get to Know the Czech Culture

When I was a little girl, I used to spend a lot of time with my grandma. That wonderful lady, like all grandmothers around the world, was an endless source of what (back then) sounded like weird little poems that didn't rhyme. And, of course, they made very little sense to me. You might feel the same way when you look at a Czech sentence that is (seemingly) just a series of random words. That's why you should keep on reading this article. In this list of Czech quotes with translations in English, you’ll find words of wit and wisdom on a variety of topics. From Czech love quotes to proverbs about life, our top picks will give you a little peek into the intriguing Czech culture and mindset. And this, in turn, will enhance your... Show more

You Better Mean Business: Czech Business Phrases

We all know life isn't just work; relationships matter and love conquers all. However, your career is one of the most important parts of your life (and it also takes up a big chunk of your time on Earth).  That's why it's beneficial to find a career that fulfills you and makes you feel accomplished…or at least pays well and doesn't kill you on the inside. And, of course, you might want or need to start a career in another country. If you want to get a job or start your own business in the Czech Republic (yay!), you should work on learning some common Czech business phrases and vocabulary. Every successful entrepreneur will tell you that your language gives away a lot about your personality and approach, and by choosing the right... Show more

Learn Czech: YouTube Channels to Boost Your Language Skills

What's the number-one thing that will make learning Czech entertaining, help you boost your vocabulary, keep you company, and always be there for you? YouTube! When you learn Czech, YouTube videos in or about the language will be immensely helpful to you. Here's a little background story to show you the power of YouTube:  When I first discovered this marvelous world of videos (back in 2007 or so), I decided I had to speak English well enough to understand what was going on in makeup tutorials (this was WAY before influencers were a real thing, guys!). Lo and behold, here I am. Don’t underestimate the power of social media and technology. Thanks to specialized channels, you can learn to speak Czech with YouTube. If you're busy,... Show more

How to Say Goodbye in Czech

You know, there are certain situations in life where it’s acceptable to just grab your stuff and leave without announcing your departure to the entire room. However, most of the time, it's nice to be polite and exchange pleasantries!  Besides, I'm sure that you want to make a good impression. You want people to remember you. You want to have friends and an awesome career, fall in love, and live in a house with a red roof...and how would you achieve that without the persuasive influence of your social graces?  Saying goodbye in Czech is today’s topic. By the end of this article, you'll be ready to say bye in Czech to your boss, a cashier in your favorite supermarket, someone you just met, someone you definitely want to see again,... Show more

How Hard is it to Learn Czech?

Let's debunk this myth about Slavic languages being incredibly hard and almost impossible for English-speakers to learn. Oh, please.  How hard is it to learn Czech? Not at all. Sure, there's going to be a lot of new things—things that seemingly make no sense, things you'll hate, and things that will make your tongue twist. However, Czech isn't that hard, complicated, or nasty. It's just different from English. Learning another language is always an exciting process. Yup, it’s hard at the beginning (beginnings are hard whether you're learning Czech, training for your first half-marathon, or learning how to produce an edible dinner without setting your kitchen on fire). But once you turn the corner, things get easier and you start... Show more

The 10 Most Common Mistakes in Czech to Avoid

Mistakes are annoying, and no matter how often you tell yourself that it's okay to make them, they still suck. I get it, friend, I've been there. I'm a professional translator, and after years of living in a bilingual environment, I still have to pause from time to time and make sure I really want to say "kitchen," not "chicken." I ask my American boyfriend for help and clarification all the time. Also, just this morning, I read a Facebook post from Czech Television about a commemorative PLAGUE (instead of "plaque"). In this article, we’ll be covering typical Czech mistakes that English-speakers make. The Czech language, like all other languages, has its quirks and surprises that might catch you off-guard or flat out confuse the... Show more

The 10 Most Common Czech Questions and Answers

Hello there, friend! How are you today? How has your day been? How long have you been studying Czech? Do you speak other languages? Do you speak English?  You can probably tell that this article is all about the most common Czech questions and answers. I'm going to teach you some basic questions in Czech that may come up in pretty much any conversation, and how to answer them. Why is this important? Well, learning these common phrases and questions will create a great base for your vocabulary and make any interaction in Czech a lot easier for you. There’s more to it, of course. Asking the right question is an awesome way to start a conversation, learn new things, get where you want to be (geographically and spiritually), and learn... Show more

How to Nail Your CCE Czech Language Exam

Taking a Czech language test or exam is a decision that might change your entire life. Let's get a bit touchy-feely and personal, shall we?  My long story short: "Oh, maybe I want to be a translator or something, what do I do? Okay, apparently I need a certificate...when's the next exam date? In a few weeks? Cool! Erm... How am I supposed to learn all this stuff in three weeks?" -> Daily panic attacks and lots of crying in the shower (figuratively speaking). -> Passed the exam. -> Works as a freelance translator and writer, currently sitting on a couch thousands of miles away from home, and writing an article on how to pass a Czech language test. See? It's doable, even if you don't have the time (or money) for a specialized prep... Show more

The Top 10 Czech Sentence Patterns: A Basic Guide

Have you ever wondered how some people speak like seven languages? Maybe you even have a friend who starts ordering food in the local language within three days of your vacation.  Yep, people like that exist—and you could be one of them. In this guide, we’ll introduce and explain the most common Czech sentence patterns. Learning Czech has never been this easy! You probably know that Czech might be a little tricky to learn (All the conjugation and declension! Lawd!) and that sentence patterns in English and Czech have pretty much nothing in common. Let's make things easy and forget about lengthy grammar explanations. By simply memorizing the most common Czech sentence structures and patterns, you’ll be able to create dozens of... Show more

Your Guide to Understanding Czech Verbs

Verbs are considered the most important part of speech when learning any new language. They describe every single mental and physical activity we do, from the moment we wake up in the morning to falling asleep at night. Even sleeping is full of verbs: you sleep, you breathe, you relax, you dream, you toss and turn, you snore… okay, maybe you snore!  The word ‘verb’ comes from the Latin for ‘word’ - your first indication that it's pretty important. In elementary terms: these are the ‘doing’ words and they exist in every language. Verbs are essential in communication and no sentence can exist without one. When learning to speak Czech, the verbs you know will be your building blocks to make sentences. Whether you’re commenting on the... Show more