Czech word for hello

So, you’re heading for the Czech Republic to travel or work. Awesome! You’re in for an amazing adventure! It’s a beautiful country, steeped in a rich culture that may be very unlike your own.

However, showing respect to the locals is a big deal in every country around the world. A respectful manner and attitude could open doors for you that would otherwise remain mystifyingly closed. Aside from just knowing ‘Thank you’ in Czech, greeting someone correctly in Czech could incline a local to treat you more favorably than otherwise! So, the clever thing to do would be to learn Czech greetings before you embark on your journey. Czech greetings are different from other languages and probably not what you’d expect. But if learning how to say ‘Hello!’ in Czech in easy and fun ways is important to you, you’ve come to the right place at CzechClass101.

1. Must-Know Czech Greetings

Start straight away with this greeting lesson. It’s short, but it packs a punch!

This short, but powerful lesson teaches you the basic ways to greet someone correctly in Czech! At CzechClass101, you will be taught the correct pronunciation and intonation, as well as the correct times to greet in Czech. And you will have fun!

The focus of this lesson is learning the Basic Greetings in Czech

Topic 1: Basic Formal and Informal greetings

Phrase from the lesson:

Ahoj!
“hi” or “hello” or “good-bye”

In this lesson we learned the most common greetings used in the Czech Republic.

The most common greeting is:

Ahoj! – “hi” or “hello” (Informal, used with friends or relatives)
In Czech the formal greeting will change depending the time of the day:

Dobrý den! – literally, “good day”. Applied during the daytime-from late morning until early evening.
Dobré ráno – means, “good morning”. Applied only in the morning.
Dobrý večer – means, “good afternoon/evening”. Applied during the evening.
The words: den, ráno, and večer are Czech for “day”, “morning”, and “evening”, respectively.

The words dobrý/dobré mean “good”. Dobrý is the form of the Czech adjective used in combination with masculine nouns, and dobré is the form we use with neuter nouns.

Now we have the most common farewell greeting in Czech:

Ahoj! – “good-bye” (Informal, used with friends and relatives)
Na shledanou! – “good-bye” (Formal)
Note that the word: Ahoj! can be used to say “hello” and “good-bye” in Czech, in an informal situation.

Language Tip

There are other commonly used greetings in the Czech Republic. For example, young people might use Nazdar! for “hello” when they meet each other.

It is also very common to use the word Čau for both “hello” and “good-bye” in informal situations.

2. Common Ways to Say Hello in Czech

Standing at the airport in a foreign country for the first time can be a somewhat scary experience for anyone, especially if you need assistance. However, don’t worry – at CzechClass101 we teach you how to quickly get a local’s attention with friendly, correct Czech greetings! You are more likely to get helped this way.

Here is our Czech greetings list of all the general ways to address a person upon meeting. It is tailored for formal and informal situations.

1- Good morning.

Dobré ráno

‘Good morning’ in Czech is acceptable any time between approximately 5:30am and 12:00pm, when the day is still young. And smile – it’s the universal ice-breaker!

2- Good evening

Dobrý večer

This greeting is one you would use casually when night begins to fall. Address your friends, close family or close acquaintances, and those who are not your superiors, with this phrase.

3- How are you?

Jak se máš?

Show your friendly interest in another person’s well-being by asking this question. This is the casual greeting form that you would use with your friends and family. For the sake of the friendship, it would be good to listen carefully to the answer! It shows caring and selflessness on your part.

4- How have you been?

Jak se vám vede?

This is a good question to ask someone you have not seen for a while. The inference is that some catching-up is needed!

5- What’s up?

Co se děje?

An universally informal and energetic way to greet your friends or equals! Literally, it means ‘What’s going on in your life?’, yet often no answer is expected. It’s just a greeting! Crazy, right?!

6- Long time no see.

Dlouho jsme se neviděli.

This phrase means is another greeting comment that means “I have not seen you for a while!” Often, no response is expected, except to reciprocate.

7- Hey!

Nazdar!

This is a friendly exclamation to greet your friends or equals with. Reserve its use more for people you see regularly!

8- Good afternoon.

Dobré odpoledne.

9- How’s it going?

Jak to jde?

This greeting phrase basically means the same as ‘How are things progressing?’, ‘How are things going in your life?’ or even ‘What’s up?’ Depending on the friendship, a lengthy answer is not always expected.

10- It’s nice to see you again.

Rád tě zase vidím.

This friendly, welcoming phrase is best used after greeting someone you have not seen for a while. If you mean it, you will make the person feel special! This is a good thing to say to make someone feel welcome in Czech.

11- How’s everything?

Jak se daří?

This is a variation of ‘How’s it going?’ Use casually with your equals or close acquaintances.

12- How’s your day?

Jak ses dneska měl?

Ask this when you’re speaking to your Czech friend during the day. It’s a friendly phrase to start a conversation with.

13- Yo!

Čau!

Yo! is English slang and a universal greeting popular among young men of most nationalities. Rather don’t answer the phone with this, unless you know your caller well!

14- Hello!

Ahoj!

Suitable for use in most settings, situations and persons, this is an important Czech greeting to know. Be sure to master this word first at CzechClass101!

15- It’s nice to meet you.

Rád vás poznávám.

When meeting someone for the first time, this is a polite and friendly way to welcome them. It means you are happy to make their acquaintance.

3. Why Should You Choose CzechClass101 To Learn How To Greet In Czech?

Online learning systems abound, and it’s not easy to know which one will suit your needs best. This means you have to be careful and select a system with a good reputation, and that has proven longevity. CzechClass101, which is part of InnovativeLearning.com, ticks all the boxes! With millions of lesson downloads and over a decade of teaching, we can say with confidence that this is one of the best language learning systems on the web. Why is it such an excellent system? Let us count the ways…

1- Video Presentations with Native Speakers

Friendly native Czech speakers guide you step-by-step through the process of learning vocabulary, phrases and much more. They demonstrate correct pronunciation and emphasis of the words, so as to ensure that you speak like a native when you’re done! Watching the enthusiastic tutors makes not only for a pleasant and more personal experience – it also allows you to copy mouth and lip movements. It’s like learning from your own Czech friend in your own home!

2- Superb Flexibility with 24/7 Access to Learning Material – Anywhere and on Any Device connected to the Internet!

PC, Android, iPhone, iPad, laptop, even TV – whatever device you prefer! Go online with our FREE app to do your lessons, no matter where you are or which device you are using. All you need is a good internet connection to log on and learn to speak Czech at your own pace, in your own place!

3- Pronunciation Tool Ensures You Really Speak Czech!

In any language, correct pronunciation is often crucial. The nuances in language require this, or you could find yourself saying things you don’t mean. You will find our Pronunciation Tool invaluable to wrap your mouth around the correct way to greet in Czech!

4- Our Content is Always New and Dynamic

Every week, new audio and video lessons are uploaded, so as to keep our promise that learning Czech with CzechClass101 is always fun and exciting! In addition, you will get access to bonus material and basic Czech phrases. These are a fantastic way to build your comprehension and speaking skills!

5- Need to Fast Track your Learning? We Have the Solution!

Most learning activities are more fun when you’re not doing them alone. For this reason we developed Premium PLUS, which gives you a personal tutor – 24/7! Also, this way you’re likely to learn to speak Czech much faster!

So, if our lively Czech blog is not enough for you, just upgrade to Premium PLUS to get your very own teacher. Personalised goals and lessons based on your needs, assessment of your progress, non-stop feedback and many other super features makes this a very attractive option.

Say ‘Hello’ to a wonderful, exciting way to learn another language, and learn how to say ‘Hello’ in Czech in no time! You will be very happy you did!

If you are traveling to the Czech Republic to work or travel, we are here for you! The Czech Republic is a beautiful country to visit, steeped in a culturally rich environment that might be very different from your own. So, you must make a visit. However, respecting local citizens is a big deal in each country across the world. Therefore, aside from some common phrases, it would be best to learn some other formal and informal words. In this article, you will come to know how to say hello in the Czech and other greetings.

Hello In The Czech With Some Basic Czech Greetings For Your Vocabulary

Following are described some basic Czech greetings that you should use during your visit to the Czech Republic:

Hello/Hi (Hello In The Czech)

Czech: Ahoj/Nazdar

Whenever you meet someone formally, the first word that you expectedly say is that you welcome them with a Hello/hi. However, if you want to say hello in the Czech, you say Ahoj/Nazdar in place of Hello/Hi.

Greetings

Czech: Pozdravy

Most often, people do not say hello in the Czech. Instead, they greet people by just saying “Greetings.” If you want to greet the same way in the Czech, say “Pozdravy.”

Thanks

Czech: dík

How can you have interaction and not need to thank them occasionally? So, you say thanks in the Czech language as “dík.”

You Are Welcome

Czech: nemáš zač

Typically, you respond to someone’s thanks with a “welcome.” But, in Czech, you say “nemáš zač.”

Do You Speak Czech?

Czech: mluvíš česky

The next thing you could say to people after a hello or greeting them is about the language. So, if you want to confirm whether they speak Czech or not, say the phrases like “mluvíš česky.”

OK Good!

Czech: OK dobře

In English, you say “OK good” quite a lot of times. So, if you appear to agree with people, you can express it in Czech as “OK dobře.”

It Was Nice Meeting you

Czech: Rád jsem tě potkal

When you are pleased to meet people, what else do you say except “It was nice meeting you”? So, in Czech, you express the pleasure of meeting people as “Rád jsem tě potkal.”

Long Time No See!

Czech: dlouho jsme se neviděli

When you meet people after a long time, the first thing you might say to them is “long time no see!”. So, if you want to say this phrase to someone in the Czech language, say “dlouho jsme se neviděli.”

Good Morning

Czech: dobré ráno

When you meet a local at the start of the day, you greet them with “good morning.” In Czech, you go like “dobré ráno” to make their morning.

Good Afternoon

Czech: dobré odpoledne

If you meet someone in the afternoon, you could greet them in Czech as “dobré odpoledne.”

Good Evening

Czech: dobrý večer

Saying good evening when you meet someone at the end of the day is also a mandatory ritual. Thus, evening greetings in Czech are “dobrý večer.”

Good Night

Czech: dobrou noc

Informal night greetings are “Good night” in every language. So, in Czech, you say good night as “dobrou noc.”

Good Day

Czech: dobrý den

Wishing a friend in this way is also a very heartfelt greeting. Want to wish somebody a “good day” in the Czech? Say “dobrý den.” Dobrý den is the most formal greeting that you would see people from Prague commonly using.

See You Tomorrow!

Czech: Uvidíme se zítra!

If you are departing from a friend with hope or wish to meet them the next day, you say, “see you tomorrow!”. Thus, in Czech, you say the same as “Uvidíme se zítra!.”

Other Czech Greetings To Use In The Czech Republic

There are many other formal and informal words and hello in the Czech language, and the above-mentioned essential words. We have enlisted them down as an example so that you can easily learn them to add to your vocabulary.

These were some common Czech words that you can include in your vocabulary and speak when you need to. Anyhow, if you want to say hello in the Czech or any other language thoroughly, you can learn with the Ling App. Also, read our hands-on article on  25 common phrases in Czech.

Learn Czech With The Ling App

Learning new words is a search of many. So, if you want to learn how to say hello in the Czech and other greetings or any other language, you are on the right platform. Download the Ling App by Simya Solution right now and learn to literally speak like the native Czechs with equivalent punctuation and expressions.

If you have any questions about the learning languages process, you can read “Frequently Asked Questions” on our page with a single click.

Hello, friends!

Today you learn how to say hello in Czech and common Czech greetings. This beautiful language is not much different from other Slavic languages. So, are you ready? Take this lesson and…

• Read and review
• Print it out as physical review material (I like printing stuff)
• Listen to the free audio lesson to practice your listening, and speaking (if you repeat out loud) and remember these better

While you read this, listen to this free audio lesson for extra Czech learning, thanks to CzechClass101.com (online Czech learning program). It’s a lesson on Czech greetings. Just press the play button on the player below.

• Absolute Beginner #1 – Greeting People in Czech

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1. Hello (casual)

• Ahoj
• Pronunciation: [Ahoj]

{Ahoj} is the most common way to say hello in Czech. The word is very similar to English “Hello” or “Hi”. Young people, friends and family members use it on each other. It’s very casual. We really like this word because it is very easy to use; namely, it’s very easy to pronounce. From a phonetic point of view, this is a gift to any learner because you can say Ahoj without worrying about “pronunciation.”

2. Hello (formal)

• Zdravím
  • Pronunciation: [Zdravi’:m]
• Vítam
  • Pronunciation: [V i’: tam]
• Dobrý den
  • Pronunciation: [Dobr i’: den]
  • Literally, this means “Good way”

Zdravím and Dobrý den are the best formal ways to greet someone in Czech. You can say [Dobrý den] to any person you wish. Keep in mind, these are formal greetings. So, don’t say Zdravím or Dobrý den a friend, you should better say Ahoj.

When you see a person for the first time, it’s good to say “Dobrý den”. In most cases, people greet each other saying Good day – Dobrý den, but you can also use the word Vítam.

3. Good morning

• Dobré ráno
• Pronunciation: [Dobre’: ra’:no]

Dobré ráno is the best phrase to say in the morning. You can say this phrase to anyone in the morning; it’s polite and good. People in the Czech Republic use Dobré ráno before 11:59 A.M. in the morning, though it’s not so strict like in England.

Pay attention to the transcription. In the Czech language, it is necessary to emphasize stressed vowels. In Dobré ráno, there are two stressed vowels {e} and {a}.

4. Good afternoon

• Dobrý den
  • Pronunciation: [Dobr i’: den]
• Dobré odpoledne
  • Pronunciation: [Dobr’:e odpoledne]

As you learned earlier, Dobrý den means “Good day” or “Good afternoon.” This another most common way to say hello in Czech. This phrase is also used in formal occasions; on TV, radio, business meetings and so on.


Dobrý den is used more often than Dobré odpoledne, but this does not mean that people do not use Dobré odpoledne as a greeting. There are a lot of different greetings in Czech, so people say hello in any way convenient for them.

5. Good evening

• Dobrý večer
• Pronunciation: [Dobr i’: vecher]

You’re right, this is not a literal way to say hello in Czech.

But, it’s still a greeting, right? So, it counts.

Say it when you see somebody in the evening, from 6 p.m until the night. It’s a kind of a formal greeting which young people (friends) don’t use often, but it’s also a great word to say at night. This word is used in almost every evening television program.

Now that you know how to say good morning, good day and good evening in Czech, you probably want to know how to say good night, right? Well…

6. Good night

• Dobrou noc
• Pronunciation: [Dobrou noc]

[Dobranoc] means “Good Night”. Remember, when saying “Dobranoc,” you are not greeting a person. Say it to somebody who is going to sleep! If you want to greet a person at night say “Dobrý večer.”

7. Hello (formal way)

• Srdečně vítám
• Pronunciation: [Srdechnie v’:ita:m]

Srdečně vítám is a great formal greeting. You can translate it as “I warmly welcome.” On holidays and other official festivities, the presenter/announcer usually begins with “Srdečně vítám.” You can also use this phrase to introduce a group of people.

Also, for example, if a guest comes to you, this is a great phrase to say. Czech people like to show their love and warm attitude this way.

8. Hello (used on the phone)

• Haló!
• Pronunciation: [Hal’:o]

You can only use this to say hello in Czech on the phone.

9. Hello (Czech slang)

• nazdar
  • Pronunciation: [nazdar]
• čau
  • Pronunciation: [chau]
• servus
  • Pronunciation: [servus]
• čus
  • Pronunciation: [chus]

The main advantage of Czech slang (as well as the slang of any other language) is that all of these words and expressions are very simple in pronunciation.

All these slang words have no exact translation. But yes, all these words are ways to say hello in Czech. Nazdar is the most popular slang way of greeting. Young people use it all the time, especially guys. If you see your close friend,you can say [Servus].

10. Hello (international words)

• Hello/Hi/What’s up
  • Yes, the english words.
• Tschüss
  • Pronunciation [Chus]

Yes, most of these words are English. But, they’re well-known for people all around the world, and, honestly, Czech teenagers like to use them. So, if you forget all the ways to say hello in Czech, you can use the English greetings too.

That’s it! Now you know how to say Hello in Czech.

Knowing these phrases, you can definitely say hello to any person you meet in the Czech Republic. Good luck!

– by PDF Jeff

P.S. I recommend this for Czech learners. If you want to learn Czech with a complete learning program – 600+ audio/video lessons by real teachers – just sign up for free at CzechClass101 and start learning.

Click here to learn Czech at CzechClass101 – sign up for free

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