Free guide
Common Czech phrases
The phrases Czechs actually use day to day: greeting people, ordering, asking for help and getting through small talk. Each one comes with its English meaning.
The first 20, free
80 more in the Top 100 Czech Phrases pack.
Formal and informal: vy and ty
Czech has two ways to say "you". Use vy with anyone you don't know well: shop staff, officials, your landlord, older people. Use ty with friends, family, children, and anyone who invites you to. The verb changes with it: Máte čas? (formal) and Máš čas? (informal) both mean "Do you have time?"
If in doubt, use vy. It is never rude, and Czechs will tell you when they would like you to switch. The same goes for greetings: Dobrý den is the safe hello at any time of day, while ahoj and čau are for people you would call ty.
Some phrases change with who is speaking
The past tense and "would" forms agree with the speaker's gender. A man says Chtěl bych kávu ("I'd like a coffee"); a woman says Chtěla bych kávu. The same goes for byl jsem / byla jsem ("I was") and nerozuměl jsem / nerozuměla jsem ("I didn't understand").
Five phrases that get you out of trouble
| Czech | English |
|---|---|
| Promiňte. | Excuse me. / Sorry. |
| Nerozumím. | I don't understand. |
| Můžete to zopakovat? | Could you say that again? |
| Mluvte prosím pomaleji. | Please speak more slowly. |
| Mluvíte anglicky? | Do you speak English? |
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Create a free accountFrequently asked questions
How do you say hello in Czech?
Dobrý den ("good day") is the polite hello at any time of day, to anyone. With friends, say ahoj or čau. In the evening you will also hear dobrý večer.
How do you say thank you in Czech?
Děkuji, or děkuju in everyday speech. Among friends, díky. The usual reply is prosím, which also means "please" and, as a question, "pardon?".
Should I use formal or informal Czech?
Formal, with vy, until someone suggests otherwise. It is what you need in shops, offices and at work, and nobody minds being addressed politely.
Is the full phrase list free?
The 20 phrases on this page are free. The 100 Most Common Czech Phrases pack has the other 80, with example sentences, and adds all 100 to your Czech Learner drill.
Last updated 8 October 2026