Interjections and exclamations are an integral part of everyday speech, expressing sudden or strong feelings. The Czech language is rich with such expressions, and understanding them is crucial for anyone looking to achieve fluency. Here are some common Czech interjections and exclamations, complete with definitions and examples.
Ach jo!
This phrase is a common interjection expressing disappointment, impatience, or resignation, similar to “Oh no!” or “Ah well!”
Ach jo, zase prší! (Oh no, it’s raining again!)
Jejda!
Used to express surprise or mild shock, akin to “Oops!” or “Oh dear!”
Jejda, to jsem nečekal! (Oops, I didn’t expect that!)
Jéje!
An exclamation of astonishment or admiration, which is somewhat equivalent to “Wow!” or “Gee!”
Jéje, to byl ale gól! (Wow, that was some goal!)
No!
This is a versatile interjection similar to “Well…” It can indicate agreement, impatience, or be used to prompt someone.
No, co jsi dělal celý den? (Well, what have you been doing all day?)
Aha!
Used when understanding or realizing something, it means “Aha!” or “I see!”
Aha, takhle to funguje! (Aha, so that’s how it works!)
Sakra!
An interjection expressing frustration or annoyance, it can be translated as “Damn!” or “Darn!”
Sakra, zase jsem na to zapomněl. (Damn, I forgot about it again.)
Jupí!
An exclamation of joy or happiness, it’s the Czech equivalent of “Yippee!” or “Hooray!”
Jupí, vyhráli jsme! (Yippee, we won!)
Au!
This is used when experiencing pain and is the same as the English “Ouch!”
Au! To mě kousl. (Ouch! That bit me.)
Fuj!
An exclamation to express disgust or disapproval, similar to “Ew!” or “Yuck!”
Fuj, tohle jídlo je odporné. (Ew, this food is disgusting.)
Ty jo!
Expressing surprise or amazement, “Ty jo!” is like saying “Gosh!” or “Wow!”
Ty jo, to je ale krása! (Gosh, that’s really beautiful!)
Báječně!
Equivalent to “Splendid!” or “Fantastic!” it is used to express that something is wonderful.
Báječně, já se těším! (Splendid, I’m looking forward to it!)
Incorporating these interjections and exclamations into your spoken Czech will not only help you express emotions more effectively but also make your language use sound more natural and fluent. Just remember that interjections are often used informally, so they’re best suited for casual conversation. As with learning any aspect of a foreign language, listening to native speakers and practicing will significantly improve your understanding and usage of these expressive words.