Learning a new language is an exciting and rewarding challenge, and mastering common phrases is an essential step towards fluency. If you’re learning Czech, familiarizing yourself with everyday expressions can greatly enhance your conversational skills and help you sound more like a native. Below are some common Czech expressions used daily, along with their definitions and examples of how to use them.

Ahoj
A casual greeting similar to “Hi” or “Hello.” It can be used at any time of the day when meeting someone you know well.
Ahoj, jak se máš? (Hi, how are you?)

Dobrý den
A formal greeting that translates to “Good day.” It is commonly used until the late afternoon when addressing someone you don’t know well or in formal situations.
Dobrý den, chtěl bych si objednat kávu, prosím. (Good day, I would like to order a coffee, please.)

Na shledanou
This phrase means “Goodbye” and is used in both formal and informal situations.
Na shledanou, uvidíme se zítra. (Goodbye, see you tomorrow.)

Děkuji
Meaning “Thank you,” it is a universal expression of gratitude that can be used in any context.
Děkuji za večeři, byla vynikající. (Thank you for the dinner, it was excellent.)

Prosím
Serving as both “Please” and “You’re welcome,” this word is versatile and polite.
Můžete mi to prosím podat? (Can you pass that to me, please?)
Nemáš zač, prosím. (No problem, you’re welcome.)

Jak se máš?
An inquiry about someone’s well-being, similar to “How are you?”
Ahoj Tomáši, jak se máš? (Hi Tomáš, how are you?)

Dobře
The response to “Jak se máš?” meaning “Well” or “Good,” indicating a positive state of being.
Dobře, děkuji, a ty? (Well, thank you, and you?)

Ano
The Czech word for “Yes.” It is straightforward and used to affirm or agree with something.
Ano, chci to zkusit. (Yes, I want to try that.)

Ne
This is the direct opposite of Ano, meaning “No.” It is used to disagree or negate a statement.
Ne, dnes nemohu. (No, I can’t today.)

Možná
When you are not sure or you are contemplating an answer, use “Možná,” which means “Maybe.”
Možná přijdu později. (Maybe I will come later.)

Přesně
This word is used to express agreement with someone’s statement, similar to saying “Exactly” or “Precisely.”
Přesně tak, to jsem měl na mysli. (Exactly, that’s what I meant.)

Nevím
Used when you do not know the answer to a question or when unsure, “Nevím” translates as “I don’t know.”
Nevím, kde je nádraží. (I don’t know where the station is.)

Snad
Meaning “Hopefully” or “Perhaps,” this expresses a wish or uncertainty about a future event.
Snad bude zítra hezky. (Hopefully, it will be nice weather tomorrow.)

Czech is a language rich in expressions that capture the nuances of daily life, manners, and social interactions. By practicing these common Czech phrases, you will not only improve your language skills but also gain cultural insights that are invaluable when communicating with Czech speakers. Remember, the key to language learning is constant practice and exposure, so don’t shy away from using these expressions as often as possible. Hodně štěstí! (Good luck!)