Let’s Talk About the Instrumental Case (aka the Sidekick)

If Czech cases were superheroes, instrumental would be the trusty sidekick. Always by your side, always helping out. You use it to talk about how you do things, what you use, or who you’re with. It’s the “with” case and it’s cooler than you think.

What Is the Instrumental Case?

The instrumental (in Czech: instrumentál, 7. pád) is used when you're describing a tool, a means, or a companion.

Ask yourself:
S kým? – With whom?
S čím? – With what?

Examples

• Jdu s kamarádem. – I’m going with a friend.

• Píšu perem. – I’m writing with a pen.

• Krájím nožem. – I’m cutting with a knife.

Instrumental Endings: Forms You Need to Know

Let’s break it down by gender and number. Here's a simplified overview of the endings:

Instrumental endings

Confused about a form? Visit Internetová jazyková příručka and type your word into the Slovníková část. Click Hledej and boom – full declension across all seven cases.

Common Verbs That Use the Instrumental

• mluvit s – to talk with

• bojovat s – to fight with/against

• pracovat s – to work with

• jezdit něčím – to ride by something (bus, car...)

• psát něčím – to write with something

Prepositions That Call for the Instrumental

When you see these little guys, your brain should scream “instrumental!”:

• s / se (with) → s kamarádem

• pod (under) → pod stolem

• nad (above) → nad městem

• před (in front of) → před školou

• za (behind / in exchange for) → za domem

• mezi (between) → mezi lidmi

Why You’ll Love the Instrumental

This case is surprisingly useful. You'll need it to:

✔ Say who you're with
→ Jdu s kamarádem. (I’m going with a friend.)
→ Mluvím s učitelkou. (I’m talking with the teacher.)

✔ Describe what you're using
→ Píšu perem. (I write with a pen.)
→ Vařím nožem. (I cook with a knife.)

✔ Navigate tricky prepositions
→ Stůl je pod oknem. (The table is under the window.)
→ Sedíme mezi studenty. (We’re sitting among students.)

✔ Add richness to your Czech sentences
→ Bojuji s únavou. (I’m fighting with fatigue.)
→ Zajímal se o vztahy mezi kulturami. (He was interested in relationships between cultures.)

Want Help with All 7 Czech Cases?

The instrumental is just one part of the puzzle. If you want to master all seven without losing your mind, I’ve got you. Grab the Czech Cases Cheat Sheet.

It’s a fun, printable PDF packed with:

• All case endings

• Common verbs and prepositions

• Key question words

• Easy memory tricks and mini-habits