Verb MÍT: More Than Just “To Have”
If you’ve been learning Czech for a while, you probably think that mít simply means “to have” like owning a car or having a house. But Czech has a little trick up its sleeve. Mít isn’t just about possessions. It’s everywhere, used for feelings, states, ideas, time, truth, and even how you look. This often comes as a big surprise to learners!
Let’s dive into how mít works in real life.
Mít and Possession: The Easy Start
Like in English, mít can show possession. You can say:
Mám auto. – I have a car.
Or describe features:
Mám dlouhé vlasy. – I have long hair.
So far, no surprises. But then Czech adds layers.
Mít and Physical States
Instead of saying “I am hungry,” Czechs literally say, “I have hunger.” This applies to many physical states:
Mám hlad. – I’m hungry.
Mám žízeň. – I’m thirsty.
Mám rýmu. – I have a cold.
Mám kašel. – I have a cough.
Classic Czech survival kit: hunger, thirst, runny nose… and of course, the eternal cough.
Think of it this way: Czechs treat these states as objects you “have” in the moment.
Mít and Emotions
Mít also expresses emotions or moods. You don’t just feel good, you have good mood.
Mám dobrou náladu. – I’m in a good mood.
Mám depresi. – I’m depressed.
Mám nápad. – I have an idea.
It’s almost as if Czechs carry their emotions and ideas around in their pockets.
Czech pockets are full of words…
Mít Time, Truth, and More
The versatility of mít doesn’t stop there. In English you are free, but in Czech you have time: Mám čas. In English you are right, but in Czech you have the truth: Mám pravdu.
Czech learners are often surprised by these uses, but once you get the hang of it, it feels natural.
Alternatives to Avoid Overusing Mít
Because mít is so easy, beginners sometimes lean on it too much. But often, Czech has alternatives that sound more natural:
Mám nápad. → Napadlo mě. (An idea occurred to me.)
Mám obavy. → Obávám se. (I’m worried.)
Měl jsem radost. → Radoval jsem se. (I rejoiced.)
By mixing these in, your Czech will sound more colorful and fluent.
A Classic Learner Mistake
A very common mix-up is using mít for age. English says “I have 30 years,” so it feels logical. But in Czech, you must say Je mi 30 let (literally: “It is to me 30 years”).
If you say Mám 30 let, Czechs will smile politely, but you’ll sound like you’re bragging about your property: “I own 30 years.”
Why Mít Matters
Learning mít opens the door to countless everyday expressions. It’s not just a verb of possession, it’s a Swiss Army knife of the Czech language, helping you describe states, feelings, truths, and situations. Once you stop thinking of it as just “to have,” you’ll start to hear it everywhere and understand it better.
So next time someone says Mám hlad or Mám radost, you’ll know: they’re not hoarders of hunger or collectors of joy. They’re just speaking Czech.
Want to see mít and other essential verbs in action with conjugations, tenses, and real-life examples? Grab my Czech Verbs Cheat Sheet your shortcut to mastering Czech verbs.
