Let’s Talk About the Genitive Case (aka the Moody One)

If nominative is the chill, easy-going friend in the Czech grammar crew, genitive is the mysterious one. A little dramatic, often used with “without,” and always showing up in emotional or negative moments. But once you get to know it? You’ll love how expressive it is.

What Is the Genitive Case?

The genitive (in Czech: genitiv, 2. pád) is often called the “of-case” because it shows possession, origin, quantity, and is heavily used after negation.

Ask yourself:             

Koho? Čeho? – “Of whom?” “Of what?”

It answers questions like:

• Whose book?

• Without what?

• How much of something?

Examples

• bez cukru – “without sugar”

• fotka mého psa – “a photo of my dog”

• hodně studentů – “many students”

• nemám čas – “I don’t have time”

Common Prepositions That Trigger the Genitive

• bez (without)

• do (to, into)

• z (from, out of)

• od (from a person)

• u (at someone's place)

Examples

• Jdu do školy. – “I’m going to school.”

• Bydlím u kamaráda. – “I live at a friend’s place.”

Why Learn the Genitive?

Because it’s everywhere — especially in real life:

• Ordering coffee (bez mléka, bez cukru)

• Talking about location (z Prahy, od maminky)

• Talking about people (fotka Evy, hlas učitele)

• Expressing quantity (hodně vody, málo peněz)

• Saying “I don’t have ___” (Nemám čas.)

You’ll use it more often than you think. But yes the endings can be tricky.

Genitive Endings: Let’s Look at the Forms

Here’s a simple overview of Genitive endings for singular and plural, based on gender:

Genitive endings for singular and plural, based on gender

Pro Tip: Use This Tool

Need help figuring out the Genitive form of a noun?

Check this magical grammar site: Internetová jazyková příručka

Type any noun (like město, čas, peníze) into the Slovníková část field and press Hledej. It’ll show you the full declension — all cases, both singular and plural.

Micro Habit: Practice the “Bez ___” Trick

Try using bez phrases throughout your day:

• Kafe bez mléka

• Bez telefonu nejdu nikam

• Bez práce nejsou koláče (Czech saying)

It’s simple, repeatable, and helps Genitive endings stick in your brain like glue.

Want All 7 Cases in One Place?

If Genitive already feels like a lot, I get it. That’s why I made the Czech Cases Cheat Sheet – a visual printable tool for Czech learners.

• All 7 cases explained

• Prepositions, verbs, examples

• Case questions (Czech + English)

• Study tips to build habits

• A one-page printable table!