50+ useful phrases in Czech that will help during a trip to the Czech Republic

A trip to the Czech Republic rarely goes without communication with locals. In large cities, English is often enough, but once you move away from the center of Prague, the situation changes. A ready-made selection of basic phrases in Czech with transcription will help you handle most situations that a tourist faces.

If you are planning a trip from Lviv, a convenient Lviv – Prague route will take you straight to the heart of the Czech Republic, and the learned words will help you from the very first minute. And if you are traveling from the capital of Ukraine, use the Kyiv – Prague bus.

Features of the Czech language worth knowing before the start

Before moving on to the list of necessary phrases, it is worth remembering a few rules, without which even correctly learned words may sound incomprehensible.

Stress is always on the first syllable

This is a clear rule. In the word “dobrý” we stress “DOB-ry”, and in “děkuji” the stress falls on “DĚ-kuyi”. If you place the stress differently, a Czech person simply will not understand the word, even if it is pronounced correctly letter by letter.

Long vowels indicate length, not stress

The marks above vowels (“á”, “é”, “í”, “ó”, “ú”, “ý”) show that the sound is stretched approximately twice as long. The word “ráno” (“raa-no”, morning) is pronounced with a prolonged “a”. It is easy to confuse these things, but Czechs distinguish them by ear.

Letters that scare tourists

The Czech alphabet has several sounds that do not have equivalents in Ukrainian. Remember the main ones:

• “Ř” – the most difficult sound in the Czech language, something between “rzh” and “rsh”. The word “řeka” (“river”) is pronounced approximately like “rzheka”.
• “Č” – the regular “ch”, “Š” – “sh”, “Ž” – “zh”.
• “H” – a guttural “h”, like the Ukrainian “г”, not “kh”. Therefore, “Ahoj” is read as “ahoy”, not “akhoy”.
• “Ch” – and this, in turn, is the Ukrainian “kh”.

To practice problematic sounds, we recommend starting with this video about the pronunciation of Ř in the Czech language.

When “Ahoj” sounds rude

Simple Czech phrases work only when used appropriately. “Ahoj” (“ahoy”) is a word exclusively for friends, children, and relatives. Saying “Ahoj” to a waiter, bus driver, or shop assistant would be a serious mistake. Always start with “Dobrý den”.

Greetings in shops and cafés are mandatory

In the Czech Republic, it is customary to greet with “Dobrý den” when entering any small shop, bakery, or café, and to say goodbye with “Na shledanou” when leaving. Not doing this means showing disrespect.

“You” and “You” (formal/informal)

Czechs switch to the informal “you” (“tykání”) only after a direct agreement. To a stranger, even someone of the same age, say the formal “you”. Making a mistake in the more formal direction is safer, because excessive politeness is perceived calmly, while overfamiliarity is viewed badly.

Czech phrases for every day: greetings and farewells

A basic set from which any conversation begins:

• “Dobrý den” (“Dob-ree den”) – Good afternoon / Good day. A universal greeting during the daytime.
• “Dobré ráno” (“Dob-reh raa-no”) – Good morning.
• “Dobrý večer” (“Dob-ree ve-cher”) – Good evening.
• “Dobrou noc” (“Dob-rou nots”) – Good night.
• “Zdravím” (“Zdra-veem”) – Greetings. Semi-formal, works well in official conversations and with older people.
• “Ahoj” (“Ahoy”) – Hi or Bye. Only with friends.
• “Čau” (“Chau”) – Ciao. Informal.
• “Na shledanou” (“Na skhledanou”) – Goodbye.
• “Sbohem” (“Zbo-hem”) – Farewell, used for a long separation.
• “Adieu” (“Ah-dye”) – Farewell. An official and rather rare goodbye, more often heard in literature or films than in live speech.

You can ask how someone is doing like this: “Jak se máte?” (“Yak se maa-te?”) formally or “Jak se máš?” (“Yak se maash?”) with acquaintances. The standard response will be “Dobře, děkuji” (“Dob-rzheh, dye-kuyi”). If you want to express joy from meeting an acquaintance, say “Rád tě vidím” (“Raad tye vee-deem”, for a man) or “Ráda tě vidím” (“Raa-da tye vee-deem”, for a woman) – “Glad to see you.”

Words and phrases in Czech for the airport, station, and bus

The first Czech words you will see will be signs on boards and displays:

• “Nástupiště” (“Naa-stoopish-tye”) – platform.
• “Místenka” (“Mee-stenka”) – numbered seat.
• “Zpoždění” (“Zpozh-dyeni”) – delay.
• “Přestup” (“Pshe-stoop”) – transfer.
• “Odjezd” (“Od-yezd”) – departure.
• “Příjezd” (“Przhi-yezd”) – arrival.
• “Jízdenka” (“Yeezdenka”) – ticket.
• “Východ” (“Vee-khod”) – exit.

Knowing these signs will help you orient yourself even before any conversation becomes necessary.

Conversational phrases in Czech while traveling

Phrases for communication with airport staff, drivers, and passengers:

• “Můžu si tady nabít mobil?” (“Moo-zhu si ta-dy naa-bit mo-bil?”) – Can I charge my phone here?
• “Kde je zastávka autobusu do centra města?” (“Gde ye za-staavka au-tobusu do tsentra myesta?”) – Where is the bus stop to the city center?
• “Jednu jízdenku, prosím” (“Yednu yeezdenku, pro-seem”) – One ticket, please.
• “Kolik stojí jízdenka do Brna?” (“Ko-lik sto-yee yeezdenka do Brr-na?”) – How much does a ticket to Brno cost?
• “Kde mám vystoupit?” (“Gde maam vis-toupit?”) – Where should I get off?
• “Zastavte na příští zastávce, prosím” (“Za-stavte na przhish-tee za-staavtse, pro-seem”) – Stop at the next stop, please.
• “Chtěl bych si odbavit zavazadla” (“Khtyel bikh si od-bavit za-vazadla”) – I would like to check in luggage.
• “Kde je odbavovací přepážka pro můj let?” (“Gde ye od-bavovatsi prshe-pazhka pro mooy let?”) – Where is the check-in desk for my flight?
• “Má můj let zpoždění?” (“Maa mooy let zpozh-dyeni?”) – Is my flight delayed?
• “Kde jsou toalety?” (“Gde sou toa-lety?”) – Where are the toilets?
• “Kde je informační přepážka?” (“Gde ye informa-chni prshe-pazhka?”) – Where is the information desk?

Czech words for beginners: hotel and reception

After arrival, the first place where Czech will be needed will be the hotel reception.

Check-in

Phrases that will help you check into a hotel:

• “Mám rezervaci na jméno…” (“Maam re-zervatsi na ymeh-no…”) – I have a reservation under the name…
• “Jsem tady služebně” (“Ysem ta-dy sloo-zheb-nye”) – I am here on a business trip.
• “Jsem tady na dovolené” (“Ysem ta-dy na do-vo-le-neh”) – I am here on vacation.
• “Potřebuji pokoj pro dvě osoby” (“Po-trzhebuji po-koy pro dvye osoby”) – I need a room for two people.
• “Mohu platit kartou?” (“Mo-hu pla-tit kar-tou?”) – Can I pay by card?
• “Jaké je heslo na Wi-Fi?” (“Ya-ke ye heslo na wi-fi?”) – What is the Wi-Fi password?

These phrases are enough for the standard check-in procedure.

In the room

If something went wrong or you need service, these everyday phrases will solve the problem:

• “Mohu dostat víc ručníků?” (“Mo-hu do-stat veets roochniku?”) – Can I get more towels?
• “Potřebuji toaletní papír” (“Po-trzhebuji toa-letni pa-peer”) – I need toilet paper.
• “Mohli byste vyměnit povlečení?” (“Mo-hli biste vimyenit povlecheni?”) – Could you change the bed linen?
• “Mám rozbitou žárovku” (“Maam roz-bitou zhaa-rovku”) – I have a broken light bulb.
• “Nefunguje mi televize” (“Ne-funguye mi televize”) – My television does not work.

Hotel staff usually understand English, but addressing them in Czech is always more pleasant.

Basic requests

A standard set of phrases for any establishment:

• “Máte volný stůl pro dva?” (“Maa-te vol-ny stool pro dva?”) – Do you have a free table for two?
• “Chtěl bych si rezervovat stůl na sedmou” (“Khtyel bikh si re-zervovat stool na sed-mou”) – I would like to reserve a table for seven o’clock.
• “Menu, prosím” (“Menu, pro-seem”) – Menu, please.
• “Dám si…” (“Daam si…”) – I will take…
• “K tomu bych si dal hranolky” (“K to-mu bikh si dal hra-nolky”) – I would take fries with that. The pattern “K [dish] bych si dal [side dish]” is convenient for ordering side dishes.
• “Ještě jedno pivo, prosím” (“Yesh-tye yed-no pee-vo, pro-seem”) – One more beer, please.
• “Co byste mi doporučil?” (“Tso bis-te mi do-po-roo-chil?”) – What would you recommend to me?

The last phrase is worth remembering separately because Czech waiters willingly share recommendations and will suggest the establishment’s signature dish.

How to order beer correctly

The standard portion of beer in the Czech Republic is 0.5 l (“velké pivo”). If you want a smaller one, say “Malé pivo, prosím” (“Maa-le pee-vo, pro-seem”). This is 0.3 l. Without clarification, you will automatically be served half a liter.

You can order popular brands like this: “Plzeň, prosím”, “Kozel”, “Staropramen”, “Budvar”. Czechs take beer seriously, so asking for “any light beer” is considered strange.

How to ask for the bill

In Ukraine, we are used to saying “the bill, please”. In the Czech Republic, people more often say “Zaplatím, prosím” (“Zaa-pla-teem, pro-seem”), which literally means “I will pay”. This sounds more natural to a waiter.

Tips

Tips in the Czech Republic are around 10%; the amount is usually rounded up. If the bill is 187 crowns and you give 200, say “To je dobré” (“To ye do-breh”), which means “Keep the change”. Tips are given together with the payment, not left on the table.

Necessary phrases in Czech to ask for directions

It is difficult to navigate in an unfamiliar city without the ability to ask for directions. The Czech phrases for tourists below cover the main situations:

• “Hledám…” (“Khle-daam…”) – I am looking for…
• “Jak se dostanu k…?” (“Yak se do-stanu k…?”) – How do I get to…?
• “Je to daleko?” (“Ye to da-leko?”) – Is it far?
• “Jak dlouho to trvá?” (“Yak dlou-ho to trvaa?”) – How long will it take?
• “Můžete mi to ukázat na mapě?” (“Moo-zhete mi to oo-kaazat na ma-pye?”) – Can you show it to me on the map?
• “Je tam přímá cesta?” (“Ye tam przhi-maa tses-ta?”) – Is there a direct road there?
• “Je tam nějaká kratší cesta?” (“Ye tam nye-yaa-kaa krat-shee tses-ta?”) – Is there a shorter way there?
• “Je tam pěší zóna?” (“Ye tam pyeshi zo-na?”) – Is there a pedestrian zone there?
• “Je bezpečné tam chodit v noci?” (“Ye bez-pech-ne tam kho-dit v no-tsi?”) – Is it safe to walk there at night?
• “Kde je nejbližší metro?” (“Gde ye ney-blizhshi metro?”) – Where is the nearest metro?
• “Zabloudil jsem” (“Zaa-blou-dil ysem”) – I am lost.

Czechs usually willingly help tourists, especially when they see an attempt to speak their language.

How to ask about landmarks and interesting places

For sightseeing, you will need a separate set of questions:

• “Jaké jsou tady nejzajímavější památky?” (“Ya-ke sou ta-dy ney-zaiimaveyshi paa-myaatky?”) – What are the most interesting landmarks here?
• “Kde najdu Pražský hrad?” (“Gde nai-du Prazh-ski hrad?”) – Where can I find Prague Castle? (instead of “Pražský hrad” you can substitute any place).
• “Je tam vstupné?” (“Ye tam vstoop-neh?”) – Is there an entrance fee there?
• “Je to vhodné pro děti?” (“Ye to vho-dneh pro dye-ti?”) – Is it suitable for children?
• “Je tam dobrá restaurace v okolí?” (“Ye tam do-braa res-tau-ratse v oko-lee?”) – Is there a good restaurant nearby?

Shopping in a store and simple phrases in Czech

In shops or at the market, the main requests are standard. These phrases are enough for most situations:

• “Máte to v jiné velikosti?” (“Maa-te to v yi-ne ve-likosti?”) – Do you have this in another size?
• “Máte to v jiné barvě?” (“Maa-te to v yi-ne bar-vye?”) – Do you have this in another color?
• “Kolik to stojí?” (“Ko-lik to sto-yee?”) – How much does this cost?
• “Můžu si to prohlédnout?” (“Moo-zhu si to pro-hlednout?”) – Can I take a closer look at this?
• “Mohu si to vyzkoušet?” (“Mo-hu si to viz-koushet?”) – Can I try this on?
• “Vezmu si to” (“Vez-mu si to”) – I will take this.
• “Berete karty?” (“Be-rete kar-ty?”) – Do you accept cards?
• “Kde je pokladna?” (“Gde ye po-kladna?”) – Where is the checkout?

Do not forget to greet when entering a shop and say goodbye when leaving, even if you did not buy anything.

Non-standard situations when help is needed

A separate category includes phrases that are better to know, but hopefully never to use.

Medical Czech words with transcription

A basic set in case of health problems:

• “Potřebuji lékaře” (“Po-trzhebuji leh-karzhe”) – I need a doctor.
• “Zavolejte sanitku!” (“Zaa-voleyte sa-nitku!”) – Call an ambulance!
• “Kde je nejbližší nemocnice?” (“Gde ye ney-blizhshi ne-motsnitse?”) – Where is the nearest hospital?
• “Kde je lékárna?” (“Gde ye leh-karna?”) – Where is the pharmacy?
• “Není mi dobře” (“Ne-nee mi do-brzhe”) – I feel unwell.
• “Cítím se špatně” (“Tsee-teem se shpat-nye”) – I feel bad.
• “Mám horečku” (“Maam ho-rechku”) – I have a fever.
• “Bolí mě hlava” (“Bo-lee mnye hla-va”) – My head hurts.
• “Bolí mě břicho” (“Bo-lee mnye brzhi-kho”) – My stomach hurts. According to this pattern, you can substitute any body part.
• “Jsem alergický na…” (“Ysem a-ler-gitski na…”) – I am allergic to…

The general European emergency number in the Czech Republic is 112; it also works in English.

Politeness and compliments

A few neutral compliments that will definitely be appropriate:

• “Sluší vám to” (“Sloo-shee vaam to”) – It suits you. A universal phrase for clothes or hairstyle.
• “Moc dobře vaříte” (“Mots do-brzhe va-rzhi-te”) – You cook wonderfully. Suitable when you are being hosted.
• “Máte krásné město” (“Maa-te kraas-ne myes-to”) – You have a beautiful city.
• “Tady je to nádherné” (“Ta-dy ye to naad-her-ne”) – It is wonderful here.
• “Moc děkuji za pomoc” (“Mots dye-kuyi zaa po-mots”) – Thank you very much for the help. The best reaction when someone explained the way or helped in a shop.

Invitations and informal communication

If you met someone and want to continue communicating:

• “Nechceš jít se mnou na kávu?” (“Ne-khtsesh yeet se mnou na kaa-vu?”) – Don’t you want to go for coffee with me?
• “Můžeme se někdy sejít?” (“Moo-zheme se nyekdy se-yeet?”) – Can we meet sometime?
• “Dáme si někde drink?” (“Daa-me si nyegde drink?”) – Shall we have a drink somewhere?

Two versions of “sorry” and why they are not the same word

In Czech, there are two different words for apologizing, and they are used in different situations:

• “Promiňte” (“pro-min-tye”) is said when you want to attract attention or ask something. “Promiňte, kde je nádraží?” means “Excuse me, where is the train station?”
• “Omlouvám se” (“om-lou-vaam se”) is said when you have already done something wrong, for example stepped on someone’s foot.
• Mixing them up is not страшно, but a correctly used word immediately shows the level of language preparation.

The most useful universal Czech words

A minimal set worth learning first:

• “Prosím” (“Pro-seem”) – Please or Here you go.
• “Děkuju” (“Dye-kuyu”) – Thank you.
• “Není zač” (“Ne-nee zach”) – You’re welcome.
• “Ano” (“Aa-no”) – Yes, “Ne” (“Ne”) – No.
• “Nerozumím” (“Ne-rozu-meem”) – I do not understand.
• “Mluvíte anglicky?” (“Mloo-vee-te ang-litski?”) – Do you speak English?
• “Můžete to zopakovat?” (“Moo-zhete to zo-pakovat?”) – Can you repeat that?
• “Mluvte pomaleji” (“Mloov-te po-maleyi”) – Speak more slowly.
• “Můžete mi to napsat?” (“Moo-zhete mi to nap-sat?”) – Can you write it down for me?
• (Useful when it is difficult to understand the name of a street or stop by ear).
• “Na zdraví!” (“Naa zdra-vee!”) – Cheers! / To your health!
• “Pomoc!” (“Po-mots!”) – Help!

These words are enough for a starter trip. The rest will come with practice.

How a tourist can quickly learn the most necessary words for communication in Czech

A few techniques that really work before a short trip:

• Make a list of 30–50 of the most commonly used words and phrases.
• Use mobile applications with ready-made phrasebooks for tourists.
• Listen to Czech podcasts for beginners or watch short YouTube videos with subtitles.
• Memorize several template questions.
• Write down new words in your phone notes with transcription in Ukrainian letters.
• Do not be afraid to speak with mistakes.

A day before the trip, repeat the basic set of phrases out loud. Active pronunciation reinforces Czech words better than simply reading them.

Questions that tourists often have

• Do people speak English in the Czech Republic? In large cities – yes, especially young people and hotel staff. In the provinces, English is less common; the older generation sometimes understands German.
• Is it necessary for a tourist to know Czech? No, but even 20–30 learned words noticeably change the quality of the trip.
• Will people understand Ukrainian? Some words are similar, but often misleading: “čerstvý” means fresh, “pozor” means attention, “ovoce” means fruits. Relying on similarity is risky.
• How much time is needed to learn the basics? For 50 common phrases, 3–5 days of practice for 20–30 minutes are enough.
• Do they accept cards everywhere? In large cities, practically everywhere. In the provinces, it is better to have cash – small cafés can sometimes be cash-only.

The Czech Republic is a country where a guest’s effort is noticed and appreciated. It is enough to greet, thank, politely ask for the bill, and correctly pronounce the names of places.

The most important thing remains – getting to the Czech Republic. Our red KLR bus will take you comfortably and safely to the required city, book a ticket online in a few minutes and set off prepared with the learned phrases.