Czech, a West Slavic language, is rich in terms for books and literature, each delving into the magical world of reading and storytelling. Whether you’re a book lover, a budding writer, or simply looking to expand your Czech vocabulary, these words will help you navigate the literary landscape in the Czech Republic.

Knihy: This is the Czech word for “books” and is used to refer to any kind of literary work in print or digital form.
Mám doma celou police plnou knih.

Román: This term is used to describe a “novel,” particularly a longer work of fiction that explores complex characters and themes.
Minulý měsíc jsem dočetl zajímavý román.

Poezie: Translating to “poetry,” this word captures the art of rhythm, sound, and meaning often displayed in verses.
Na večeru jsme si četli českou poezii.

Povídka: For “short story,” povídka is used when discussing narratives that are usually read in one sitting.
Jedna z mých oblíbených povídek je od Karla Čapka.

Autor: This means “author” and refers to the individual who wrote the literary work.
Autor tohoto článku je odborník na svůj obor.

Vydavatelství: The Czech word for “publishing house,” vydavatelství is where books are prepared and issued for sale.
Moje kniha byla přijata k publikací významným vydavatelstvím.

Knižní veletrh: Literally meaning “book fair,” this term refers to events where booksellers, publishers, and readers converge.
Každý rok se s přáteli scházíme na knižním veletrhu.

Literatura: Simply put, this is the Czech word for “literature,” encompassing a wide range of written works, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more.
Studuji českou i světovou literaturu.

Edice: Translating to “edition,” this word refers to a particular version or form in which a book is published.
Tuto edici mám velmi rád, je to totiž sběratelská edice.

Čtenář: Meaning “reader,” čtenář indicates the person engaged in reading a book or other written material.
Jsem vášnivý čtenář a knihy jsou mým únikem od reality.

Recenze: This term refers to a “review,” an evaluation or critique of a book or literary work.
Napsal jsem recenzi na novou knihu, která vyšla minulý týden.

Čtení: Simply meaning “reading,” this word describes the act of interpreting written language and comprehending its message.
Čtení před spaním je můj každovečerní rituál.

Obálka: Corresponding to “cover” in English, obálka is what protects the pages of a book and usually contains its title and author’s name.
Ta kniha má opravdu pěknou obálku, což mě přimělo ji koupit.

Stránka: This word means “page,” the individual sheets of paper or digital displays that make up a book.
Oblíbil jsem si značit si zajímavé myšlenky na stránkách knihy.

Understanding these Czech terms for books and literature will undoubtedly enrich your experience while exploring the literary world in the Czech language. Whether you’re discussing a novel with friends or browsing a local bookshop, these words serve as a gateway to the immersive universe of stories waiting to be discovered.