CzechClass101.com Blog

Ahhh, proverbs...those charming pieces of wisdom that add a nice ring (or a pitch of pathos) to any speech or article, and make you ultimately irritated in certain situations. Like right after you failed your adventurous challenge.  However, they’re also comforting. Knowing that people in the past have gone through the same stuff we're dealing with now is encouraging. And that's exactly how we should see proverbs: as little "hellos" from our ancestors, who created them as reflections of who we are and how we see the world, life, love, success...you name it. This article about Czech proverbs and sayings will give you insight into not only the Czech language, but also the culture and mindset behind it. You might be surprised at how... Show more

Not many people know where the Czech Republic is (I don't blame them: it's a tiny country hiding between two giants, Germany and Poland), but everyone knows someone who has been to Prague. I’ve lost count of how many people who, upon learning where I come from, have shrieked in excitement: "My neighbor's nephew visited Prague! He said it was such a lovely city! We must go someday, too!" Believe it or not, Prague is just as exciting and has the same old-timey atmosphere as other, more "famous" European cities. It looks similar, and (for now) Prague travel is more affordable than travel in many other European cities. That's why it's a loved and popular destination not only among tourists, but also among many movie-makers.  Are you... Show more

Czenglish. Have you ever heard this term? It's been a hot topic lately, mostly due to the vigorous power of the internet and social media. Nowadays, everybody loves YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and…influencers! Although you won't find a lot of similarities between Czech and English (with the exception of words derived from Latin), English is seeping into the Czech language more and more.  By the way, the phenomenon of English words used in Czech is not as new as it might seem! I was watching a Czech comedy from 1938 a couple of days ago, and one of the first scenes is a perfect example of Czenglish used in real life: Já changuju subject? Ty changuješ subject! ("I am changing the subject? You are changing the subject!"). We like using... Show more

Are you learning Czech, planning to visit the Czech Republic, starting a business here, or even settling down in this cute, Central European country? Great! I'm sure you want to know more than just the basic info (like what the currency is and whether it's okay to look a stranger in the eye…).  Learning about Czech culture is essential if you want to really understand not just the language, but also how things work here. And let me tell you, just about everything is different here than in the U.S. or Western and Eastern Europe. As you explore Czech culture and customs, you’ll find that they share a lot in common with those of Austria or Germany. These two countries have greatly influenced the attitudes, traditions, and cuisine of... Show more

I'm going to be honest with you, guys. Czech food is heavy. Most meals are based on pork, creamy sauces, and dumplings (no, they're not similar to Asian dumplings). Growing up, I would always marvel at the gorgeous, colorful platters of food that I saw on American TV. Compared to that, our diet was a lot grayer, ordinary-looking, and "bready."  Of course, times have changed. But the traditional Czech cuisine hasn't.  I personally don't know anyone who would say no to Mom's Sunday roast with fluffy dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage, followed by home-baked pastries with sweet, lemony curd cheese filling. One thing I need to mention: the portion sizes. I vividly remember my first morning in NYC. I ordered two scrambled eggs with... Show more

What comes to your mind when you think about learning another language?  Casually chatting with locals while drinking delicious Czech beer? Enjoying Forman's early movies? Writing a secret diary that nobody in your family could read? You can certainly do all of those things.  Are you expecting a big fat BUT? You're correct! BUT first you have to learn Czech grammar and understand how it works. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: It's completely different from English grammar and the rules might not make much sense to you.  Yes, there is the dreaded declension (each noun and adjective has fourteen different forms) and verb conjugation. In the end, though, you’ll find out that learning Czech is quite easy, as long as you don't... Show more

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

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

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

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