“Finished?” – The Ultimate Czech Word (and Why You Should Learn More Czech)
If you’ve ever eaten in a Czech restaurant, you’ve probably heard it. A waiter approaches your table, looks at your plate, and says:
“Finished?” That’s it. No “Are you finished?”, no “Can I take your plate?”, no “How was your meal?”
Just one confident word.
Finished?
And somehow… it works. You nod, they take your plate. Communication: 100% successful.
One Word to Rule Them All
Czechs have truly mastered the art of minimalist English. Why use ten words when one will do?
Finished? can mean:
Are you done with your meal?
Can I take your glass?
Are you ready to pay?
Are you still alive? (okay, not usually, but who knows)
That moment you realize the waiter speaks exactly as much English as you speak Czech…
It’s universal. It’s efficient. It’s very, very Czech.
But Here’s the Thing…
Many Czechs working in restaurants, pubs, or cafés don’t actually speak English. Not because they don’t want to, but because, well, they don’t need to. They survive perfectly with their one magic word. The further you go from Prague, the more likely it is that “Finished?” will be the full extent of your English conversation.
If you don’t speak Czech, you’ll start developing impressive mime skills. You’ll point, smile, nod, and hope for the best. (We’ve all been there. It’s fun. For about a day.)
When words fail, interpretive dance begins.
The Moral of the Story
If you only rely on the Czech waiter’s English, you’ll understand one word: Finished. But if you learn just a little Czech, your world opens up. You’ll know how to ask for still water aka water without bubbles (that’s voda bez bublinek, you can always say neperlivá voda but it’s not that poetic), how to say “I’m done” politely (Už jsem dojedl/a), and how to order another beer like a pro (Ještě jedno, prosím!).
Learn Czech. Survive Everywhere
Don’t be the tourist who gets stuck in the “Finished?” loop. Learn a few Czech phrases, and suddenly:
waiters will smile at you,
your food will arrive faster,
and you’ll feel like a local, not just a hungry visitor.
Start with my Czech Restaurant Survival Vocabulary — fun, practical, and made exactly for situations like this. Also check other survival guides for Czech pubs, cafés, shops or train stations… Because Czech isn’t just a language. It’s a superpower when you’re hungry.
