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Czechia · Czech Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Dobrý den
    Hello (polite, daytime) “DOH-bree den”
  2. 2
    Ahoj
    Hi / Bye (casual, for both) “AH-hoy”
  3. 3
    Děkuji
    Thank you “DYE-koo-yee”
  4. 4
    Prosím
    Please / You're welcome / Here you go “PROH-seem”
  5. 5
    Promiňte
    Excuse me / Sorry “PROH-min-teh”
  6. 6
    Na shledanou
    Goodbye (formal, on parting) “nah SKHLEH-dah-noh”
  7. 7
    Na zdraví
    Cheers! “nah ZDRAH-vee”
Local etiquette
  • Say 'Dobrý den' when entering a shop, restaurant or elevator, and 'Na shledanou' when leaving — it's basic courtesy.
  • 'Ahoj' is a casual greeting between friends. Use 'Dobrý den' with strangers and older people.
  • You'll often toast with 'Na zdraví' (cheers) at meals and over drinks.

Basics

  1. 1
    Ano / Ne
    Yes / No “AH-no / neh”
  2. 2
    Mluvíte anglicky?
    Do you speak English? “MLOO-vee-teh AHN-glits-kee?”
  3. 3
    Nerozumím
    I don't understand “NEH-roh-zoo-meem”
  4. 4
    Můžete mluvit pomaleji?
    Could you speak more slowly? “MOO-zheh-teh MLOO-vit POH-mah-leh-yee?”
  5. 5
    Kolik to stojí?
    How much does this cost? “KOH-lik toh STOH-yee?”
  6. 6
    Kde je toaleta?
    Where is the restroom? “gdeh yeh TOH-ah-leh-tah?”
  7. 7
    Můžete mi pomoci?
    Could you help me? “MOO-zheh-teh mee POH-moh-tsee?”
  8. 8
    Nemluvím česky
    I don't speak Czech “NEH-mloo-veem CHES-kee”
Local etiquette
  • Czechia uses the koruna (CZK), not the euro. Euros are often refused or given a poor rate.
  • Private exchange booths in tourist areas are notorious for scams. Don't trust '0% commission' signs — use a bank or reputable office and count the cash on the spot.
  • Younger people speak English, but a few Czech words go a long way with older locals.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Kolik to stojí?
    How much is this? “KOH-lik toh STOH-yee?”
  2. 2
    Můžu platit kartou?
    Can I pay by card? “MOO-zhoo PLAH-tit KAR-toh?”
  3. 3
    Máte to v jiné velikosti?
    Do you have this in another size? “MAH-teh toh v YEE-neh VEH-lee-kos-tee?”
  4. 4
    Jen se dívám, děkuji
    Just looking, thanks “yen seh DYEE-vahm, DYE-koo-yee”
  5. 5
    Vezmu si to
    I'll take this “VEZ-moo see toh”
  6. 6
    Igelitovou tašku, prosím
    A plastic bag, please (usually charged for) “EE-geh-lee-toh-voh TASH-koo, PROH-seem”
Local etiquette
  • Before paying, check whether the price is in koruna or euros; beware tourist shops with dual pricing.
  • Bags are usually charged for, so bring a reusable one.
  • Prices are higher in tourist hotspots (like the Old Town Square) — shops a few streets away are cheaper.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Jídelní lístek, prosím
    The menu, please “YEE-del-nee LEES-tek, PROH-seem”
  2. 2
    Jedno pivo, prosím
    One beer, please (Czechs are the world's top beer drinkers) “YED-no PEE-vo, PROH-seem”
  3. 3
    Co doporučujete?
    What do you recommend? “tso DOH-poh-roo-choo-yeh-teh?”
  4. 4
    Dám si tohle
    I'll have this one “dahm see TOH-hleh”
  5. 5
    Vodu, prosím
    Water, please “VOH-doo, PROH-seem”
  6. 6
    Mám alergii
    I have an allergy “mahm AH-ler-gee-ee”
  7. 7
    Zaplatím, prosím
    I'd like to pay “ZAH-plah-teem, PROH-seem”
  8. 8
    Účet, prosím
    The bill, please “OO-chet, PROH-seem”
Local etiquette
  • Czechs are the world's #1 beer drinkers per capita. Draft beers like Pilsner Urquell and Budvar are cheap and excellent.
  • When a pub is busy, sharing a table with strangers is normal.
  • Tip about 5–10% by rounding up and saying the total or 'To je dobré' (that's fine); for card payments, state the amount including the tip.
  • When you toast, make eye contact, clink glasses, then set the glass down briefly before drinking — no eye contact is considered rude.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Kde je nádraží?
    Where is the train station? “gdeh yeh NAH-drah-zhee?”
  2. 2
    Jednu jízdenku do..., prosím
    One ticket to..., please “YED-noo YEEZ-den-koo doh..., PROH-seem”
  3. 3
    Které nástupiště?
    Which platform? “KTEH-reh NAH-stoo-pish-tyeh?”
  4. 4
    Kdy jede další vlak?
    When does the next train leave? “gdee YEH-deh DAL-shee vlahk?”
  5. 5
    Máte celodenní jízdenku?
    Do you have a day pass? “MAH-teh TSEH-loh-den-nee YEEZ-den-koo?”
  6. 6
    Jede toto metro do...?
    Does this metro go to...? (Prague Metro) “YEH-deh TOH-toh MEH-troh doh...?”
  7. 7
    Na letiště, prosím
    To the airport, please (taxi) “nah LEH-tish-tyeh, PROH-seem”
Local etiquette
  • On Prague transit (metro, tram, bus), buy your ticket in advance and validate it in the machine when boarding; fines for unvalidated tickets are steep.
  • Watch for rigged-meter and overcharging taxis targeting tourists. Use an app (like Bolt) or a licensed company.
  • For a few days, a 24-hour or 72-hour transit pass is economical.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Mám rezervaci
    I have a reservation “mahm REH-zer-vah-tsee”
  2. 2
    Chtěl bych se ubytovat
    I'd like to check in “KHTYEL bikh seh OO-bee-toh-vaht”
  3. 3
    V kolik je odhlášení?
    What time is check-out? “v KOH-lik yeh OD-hlah-sheh-nee?”
  4. 4
    Můžete mi uschovat zavazadla?
    Could you store my luggage? “MOO-zheh-teh mee OO-skhoh-vaht ZAH-vah-zad-lah?”
  5. 5
    Jaké je heslo na Wi-Fi?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “YAH-keh yeh HES-lo nah wai-fai?”
Local etiquette
  • A passport is required at check-in, and a city tax may be added separately to your bill.
  • There are quiet hours at night — avoid loud noise.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Pomoc!
    Help! “POH-mots!”
  2. 2
    Zavolejte policii!
    Call the police! “ZAH-voh-lay-teh POH-lee-tsee-ee!”
  3. 3
    Zavolejte záchranku!
    Call an ambulance! “ZAH-voh-lay-teh ZAH-khran-koo!”
  4. 4
    Kde je nemocnice?
    Where is the hospital? “gdeh yeh NEH-mots-nee-tseh?”
  5. 5
    Ztratil jsem pas
    I've lost my passport “ZTRAH-til ysem pahs”
Local etiquette
  • Emergency numbers: EU-wide 112, police 158, ambulance 155, fire 150.
  • Pickpockets are common in tourist areas like the Old Town. Wear your bag in front and take extra care on trams and in crowds.