What You Can (and Absolutely Shouldn’t) Talk About at a Czech Family Dinner
So… you’ve made it. You’re sitting at a Czech family table, surrounded by bowls of bramborový salát, steaming řízek, and people you desperately want to impress.
You’ve already mastered Dobrý den and survived Dej si ještě! (Have some more!) but now comes the hardest part: Talking. Because Czech family dinners are a test of both language skills and cultural survival instincts.
Safe Topics: Your Path to “He’s/She’s So Nice!”
Let’s start with what works. These topics are your linguistic comfort food.
Food
Always a winner. Always. Czechs love talking about food: what’s cooking, what babička baked, what you just ate, or what you should eat next.
To je výborné! – This is delicious!
Kdo dělal ten salát? – Who made this salad?
Máš rád/a koláče? – Do you like koláče? (Trick question: the answer is always ano!)
When you think Ne děkuji means no… but babička heard Ano, prosím, dva kusy.
Note: If you have no idea what the great Czech phenomenon called koláč is, you absolutely need to watch this video. Because, honestly, koláč isn’t just dessert. It’s part of the Czech soul.
Weather
Classic, safe, reliable. If you can’t think of anything else, go with:
To je ale zima, co? – It’s so cold, isn’t it?
Prší už tři dny! – It’s been raining for three days!
Czechs will nod in deep, collective understanding.
Pets and Kids
If the family has either (and they probably do), that’s your golden ticket.
Máte krásného psa! – You have a beautiful dog!
Kolik let je malému / malé? – How old is the little one? (boy / girl)
Bonus points if you remember the dog’s name next time.
The Cottage (Chata)
If you mention a chata, everyone will suddenly wake up. Czechs adore their weekend houses.
Ještě jezdíte na chatu?“ – Do you still go to the cottage?
Guaranteed to lead to a 30-minute monologue about picking mushrooms.
Dangerous Territory: Handle With Care
Now, here come the topics that might seem innocent, but could get… complicated.
Money
Never ask, never tell.
Kolik to stálo? – How much did that cost?
This question can freeze the whole table.
Politics
You might think, “Oh, I’ll just mention elections, that’s interesting!” No. Just… no. Unless you really want to find out who hasn’t spoken to whom since 2013.
Religion
It’s not that Czechs are sensitive. It’s just that most of them don’t talk about it. Ever.
Věříš v Boha? – Do you believe in God?
Prepare for awkward silence or an existential debate.
Personal Life
Czechs are curious but when they ask you personal questions, it’s fine. When you ask them? Risky. Avoid anything that sounds like:
Kdy se vezmete? – When are you getting married?
A co děti? – And what about kids?
Even if you hear those questions aimed at you, don’t worry. It’s part of the family ritual. Just smile and say something like:
Uvidíme! – We’ll see!
The “Maybe” Zone: Depends on the Wine
Some topics depend on the mood, the company, and how many glasses of víno are involved.
Travel
Always safe if you keep it light.
Byli jsme v Itálii. – We were in Italy.
Krásné moře, ale drahé pivo. – Beautiful sea, but expensive beer.
They’ll love that one.
Work
Small talk material. Fine if you don’t brag too much.
Pracuju v IT. – I work in IT.
Expect nods and someone saying, Aha, počítače. (Ah, computers.)
When you finally remember to say Dobrý den instead of Ahoj to your Czech in-laws and earn instant respect.
When in Doubt, Praise the Food
Czech rule #1: When conversation gets weird — eat. Or say something nice about what’s on your plate.
To maso je měkké! – The meat is so tender!
Ten koláč chutná jako od babičky. – This cake tastes like my grandma’s!
Watch hearts melt instantly.
Bonus Tips from the Field
Use formal speech (vy) with in-laws until they say Můžeme si tykat? (Can we use ty?)
Smile at babička. Always.
Never say you’re not hungry. You are. You just don’t know it yet.
Want to Master Family Talk? Grab my Czech Family Survival Sheet (PDF) full of real-life phrases, funny dialogues, and insider cultural tips to help you charm your Czech in-laws, survive family dinners, and understand the difference between Nechceš koláč? and a command.
Learning Czech for family life isn’t just about grammar, it’s about belonging. And once you can say Bylo to výborné! with confidence, you’re not just a guest anymore. You’re part of the family.
