Czech Grammar Wants to Know Your Gender (Every. Single. Time.)
Czech grammar doesn’t just care what you say it cares who you are. In this article, you’ll learn why men say byl and women say byla, how to avoid hilarious mix-ups with rád/ráda, and why even your beer has a gender.
Why Every Czech Noun Has a Gender (And How to Survive It)
Learning Czech isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary. Every noun carries a gender, and if you ignore it, your adjectives, pronouns, and even verbs can fall apart. This post shows you how to spot gender in dictionaries, use endings wisely, and build habits that make gender stick.
Done or Still Doing? The Secret of Czech Verb Aspect
Why do Czechs have two verbs for “to write”? Because they care whether you’re still in the middle of it (psát) or already done (napsat). This post unpacks the mystery of Czech verb aspect — with simple rules, funny examples, and a handy worksheet you can grab to finally master perfective vs. imperfective
Politeness Levels in Czech: Talking to Strangers, Friends, and Your Boss
Navigating Czech politeness can feel like social gymnastics. Should you say ty or vy? Dobrý den or Čau? In this post, we break down how to talk to strangers, shop assistants, your boss, and your friends — with real-life examples to help you sound natural (and avoid awkward looks).
Top Awkward Mistakes Learners Make with Ty and Vy
Czech can trip you up in funny ways — especially with ty and vy. One wrong choice and suddenly you sound too formal with a friend or too casual with your boss. In this post, we’ll laugh through the most common mistakes foreigners make and show you how to nail Czech politeness without breaking a sweat.
Vykání vs. Tykání: Czech Social Gymnastics
Mastering Czech isn’t just about vocabulary and cases — it’s about knowing when to say ty and when to stick with vy. In this article, we unpack the unwritten rules of vykání vs. tykání, with real-life examples that show how a single word can shift you from polite distance to friendly closeness.
Let’s Get Real: How to Use Cases in Everyday Czech
You’ve memorised the theory — now it’s time to actually use Czech cases in real life. This practical guide shows you how to work with all seven cases step by step, from choosing “case of the day” to mastering anchor verbs, prepositions, and daily routines.
What? Adjectives Decline Too?
Adjectives in Czech are not just decorative—they’re grammatical chameleons. They change form to match the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe. From the sturdy mladý to the sleek jarní, this guide will show you how to tell them apart, how they decline, and why mastering them will make your Czech sound instantly more natural. Plus, links to my favorite grammar resources and a cheat sheet you’ll want on your desk.
Let’s Talk About the Instrumental Case (aka the Sidekick)
The instrumental case is your Czech sidekick — always there when you’re talking about who you’re with or what you’re using. In this post, you’ll learn how to form it, when to use it, and how to make it stick with real-life examples and practice tips. Plus: a link to the ultimate Czech Cases Cheat Sheet.
Let’s Talk About the Locative Case (aka the Prepositional One)
Let’s talk about where things are and what we’re talking about. The Czech locative case helps you do just that. From cafés and books to dreams and places the locative brings your stories to life. Learn how to use it, what prepositions it pairs with, and how to master its forms across genders.
Let’s Talk About the Vocative Case (aka Talking-to-You Mode)
Say hello to the vocative! This case is all about calling people, grabbing attention, and making your Czech more personal. Whether you're yelling "Tati!" across the room or politely saying "Pane Nováku," you're using the vocative case — and now you’ll know how to do it right.
Let’s Talk About the Accusative Case (aka the Direct Object Boss)
The accusative case is where Czech gets action-packed. It's the go-to case when you're doing something to someone or something. In this friendly guide, you’ll learn when to use it, how to form it across genders and numbers, and which verbs and prepositions call for it. Get ready to say what you love, see, or need confidently and correctly.
Let’s Talk About the Dative Case (aka the Giving One)
The Dative case can sound mysterious at first “to whom? for what?” but don’t worry, it’s friendlier than it looks. This post breaks down everything you need to know: how to use the Dative, how to recognize it, and how to make it part of your Czech every day. Plus, you'll get clear tables and examples for all genders and numbers and a handy cheat sheet to make it all stick.
Let’s Talk About the Genitive Case (aka the Moody One)
The Genitive might sound scary at first, but it’s actually your everyday case for expressing possession, quantity, and negation. In this post, you’ll finally understand why Czechs say “bez cukru” and “hodně studentů,” and how to use Genitive forms with ease — with tips, tables, and fun examples!
Let’s Talk About the Nominative Case (aka the Friendly One)
Start your journey through Czech grammar with the nominative case — the simplest, most friendly form. Learn what it is, how it works, and why it matters.
Understanding Czech Cases Is the First Step of Learning Them
Confused by Czech grammar cases? You're not alone. This post breaks down what cases are, why Czech uses them (and English doesn’t), and how to finally master them without going crazy. With tips, examples, and a cheat sheet to help you out.
Why You’re Forgetting Czech Words (And How to Make Them Stick)
You're learning Czech, putting in the hours, but the words still slip through your fingers? You're not alone. In this post, we’ll explore why your brain keeps forgetting Czech words (spoiler: it’s not your fault) — and how to make them finally stick. With tips from memory science, your own brain quirks, and a few tricks from the Painless Czech Guidebook, you’ll start remembering not just what a word means, but where you saw it, how it sounds, and why it matters.
You Don't Need a Textbook (But You Do Need a Plan)
Forget grammar drills and dusty textbooks. This post is your permission slip to ditch the old-school methods and build a study plan that actually works for you. I’ll show you how to structure your learning in a way that feels natural, motivating, and (yes!) even fun. Whether you’re a busy parent, a podcast addict, or a night owl with a notebook, you’ll leave with a clear, personalized roadmap to learning Czech—your way.
How to Create a Czech Microclimate (Even If You Live 5,000 Miles Away)
You don’t have to live in Prague to live with Czech. This article shares personal tips and practical strategies to bring the Czech language into your everyday life. No matter where you are. Whether you're sunbathing in California or commuting through London, your own Czech microclimate is just a habit away.
Stůj tady 10 sekund, když se těšíš na prázdniny
A chalk message in a Prague park reminded me why mistakes are the heart of language learning. Here's how to keep up your Czech even when summer turns your schedule upside down.