NC State College of Design Prague Institute

Professor Branson's Czech for Dummies

You'll find that most Czechs speak and understand English well enough for you to get along just fine. But learning a few essential phrases to use in your day-to-day dealings is a simple courtesy you can extend to show your respect to the residents of Praha (PRUH-huh).

Hello	Dobry Den	*DOUGH-bree den*
Goodbye	Nashledanou	nuss-kleh-DUH-no
Please	Prosím	**PRO-seem (Roll the R)**
Thank You	Děkuji	*DYAY-kooo-yee*
Bathroom	W.C.	*VEH-tsuh*
Beer	Pivo	*Pee-vo*
Cheers	Na Zdravi	*NAZ-drah-vee*
Coffee	Káva	*KAH-vuh*
. . . With Milk	. . . S Mlékem	*. . . SMLEH-kum*
Check Please	Prosim Účet	*PRO-seem OO-chet*
Do you speak English?	Mluvite Anglicky?	*MLOO-vee-tuh UNG-leets-kee?*
I don't understand.	Nerozumím	*NAIR-oh-zoom-eem*
One Moment . . .	Moment	*moh-MENT*
Excuse Me Let Me By	Dovolte	*DOH-vol-teh*

You left your passport
WHERE?

Prosím is a kind of catch-all, used for please and you're welcome, my pleasure, of course and pardon? Order your káva presso for an approximation of American coffee.

Prague Institute Director, Dana (DUH-nuh) Bartelt can help you with your pronunciation of this tongue-twisting language. Below are some of the major differences to remember:

Click Here
for Slide Show

c - tse

č - ch

š - sh

j - ye

ž - zha (like the s in pleasure)

y - i

ý - ee

r - Roll your Rs a little, like a soft d

ř - rzha (ask Dana to help you with this one!)

a - u

í - ee