Seven cases, a letter no other language has, and words with no vowels — plus the ten phrases actually worth learning.
Czech has a reputation for difficulty that is entirely deserved. It has seven grammatical cases, a consonant (ř) that exists in no other language on earth, and sentences like strč prst skrz krk with not a single vowel. The good news: nobody expects you to learn it, and about four words will materially improve how you are treated.
The ten phrases worth knowing
Dobrý den (DOH-bree den) — good day, the standard greeting on entering any shop. Děkuji (DYEK-oo-yi) — thank you. Prosím — please, and also ‘you’re welcome’, and also ‘pardon?’. Na shledanou — goodbye. Ano / ne — yes / no. Jedno pivo, prosím — one beer, please. Kohoutková — tap water. Nerozumím — I don’t understand. Kolik to stojí? — how much is it?
The famous letter
Ř is a rolled r and a zh sound at the same time, and it is genuinely unique to Czech. Czech children take longer to master it than any other sound. If you can say Dvořák correctly you have done better than most visitors — and better than most orchestras.
Words without vowels
Zmrzlina (ice cream), čtvrtek (Thursday), skrz (through). Czech treats r I l as syllable centres, which is why strč prst skrz krk — ‘stick a finger through your throat’ — is a real sentence.
Seven cases
Every noun changes ending depending on its role in the sentence. Praha becomes Prahy, Praze, Prahu. This is why place names on signs never quite match the ones in your guidebook.
Do you need it?
No. English is widely spoken in central Prague and among younger Czechs everywhere. But the difference between walking into a shop silently and saying dobrý den is larger than you would expect.
Często Zadawane Pytania
Is Czech similar to Russian?
Both are Slavic, but they are not mutually intelligible and Czech uses the Latin alphabet, not Cyrillic. Czech is much closer to Slovak and Polish.
Can I get by with English in Prague?
Yes, easily in the centre. Less so in small towns and with older people.
What is the hardest thing about Czech?
The case system for learners; the letter ř for speakers.
Read more: more on the Czech language, practical Prague guides I reading a Czech menu.
Last reviewed in August 2026.
