Top 10 Czech Slang Words & Phrases You Must Know

Authored By:

College Study Abroad

So, you鈥檝e decided to study abroad in Prague. How exciting! You鈥檙e about to immerse yourself in an incredible city home to stunning medieval architecture, world-class universities, and a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity in the heart of Central Europe

While many people you鈥檒l meet in the Czech Republic will likely know English, you鈥檒l find it helpful 鈥 and even respectful 鈥 to learn the basics of the Czech language to best prepare for your journey abroad. 

Use this guide to start learning a few Czech slang expressions and words and prep for your once-in-a-lifetime study abroad adventure! 

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Prague 

Top 5 Czech Slang Words 

You may stand out as a visitor when you first arrive to study in Prague, but by learning a few Czech slang phrases and words, you can get the hang of communicating in your new country in no time. Let鈥檚 begin with some popular Czech slang words! 

Czech Slang Word #1: 膶au 

Meaning: Hi or bye 

A word with dual meaning, 膷补耻 is used informally to both greet someone or say farewell. Think of it as the Czech aloha

For example: 鈥溎宎u, jak se m谩拧?鈥 (鈥淗i, how are you?鈥) 

prague group abroad

Czech Slang Word #2: Prachy 

Meaning: Cash 

You鈥檒l need your wallet to go to restaurants, attractions, and shopping, so knowing what prachy means will be important quickly. 

For example: 鈥淜olik prachy si m谩m p艡in茅st?鈥 (鈥淗ow much cash should I bring?鈥) 

Read More: Prague Study Abroad: FAQs and Answers 

Czech Slang Word #3: No膷n铆 klub 

Meaning: Nightclub 

Part of experiencing another country is checking out the nightlife. If dancing to music is your thing, you鈥檒l definitely want to head to a club. 

For example: 鈥淒o kter茅ho no膷n铆ho klubu bychom m臎li dnes ve膷er zaj铆t?鈥 (鈥淲hich nightclub should we go to tonight?鈥) 

Czech Slang Word #4: Pouli膷n铆 j铆dlo 

Meaning: Street food 

It鈥檚 some of the most affordable food you鈥檒l find in the Prague area, so make sure to check out the markets and festivals for it. 

For example: 鈥淪ly拧el jsem 啪e trdeln铆k je nejlep拧铆 street food v Praze.鈥 (鈥淚 heard trdeln铆k [a sweet pastry] is the best street food in Prague.鈥) 

Czech Slang Word #5: Pivo 

Meaning: Beer 

The Czech Republic is known for inventing the pilsner, so you many want to learn more about how and where the style was born while you鈥檙e visiting. 

For example: 鈥淢ohu si objednat pivo, pros铆m?鈥 (鈥淢ay I order a beer, please?鈥) 

Read More: Eat, Drink, Explore: Prague 

Top 5 Czech Slang Phrases 

Being able to string a few words together will help you feel more comfortable in Prague. Practice these Czech slang expressions on the flight to Europe. 

Czech Slang Phrase #1: Fakt jo? 

Meaning: Really? (as in surprised) 

You鈥檒l probably discover lots of surprising things while you鈥檙e in the Prague area, so it鈥檚 possible you鈥檒l say this phrase more than once. 

For example: 鈥淭a budova je star谩 1000 let? Fakt jo?鈥 (鈥淭hat building is 1,000 years old? Really?鈥) 

Czech Slang Phrase #2: Jdeme na to! 

Meaning: Let鈥檚 go! 

You鈥檙e eager to make the most of your time in the Czech Republic, so you might need to repeat this a few times to get your less energetic friends out the door. 

For example: 鈥淢谩m hlad! Jdeme na to!鈥 (鈥淚鈥檓 hungry! Let鈥檚 go!鈥) 

students budapest excursion abroad


 
Read More: Why You Should Study Abroad in Prague 

Czech Slang Phrase #3: Kde je toaleta? 

Meaning: Where is the bathroom? 

It might seem a little silly, but you won鈥檛 be thinking that in your time of need! 

For example: 鈥淭ato budova je obrovsk谩! Kde je toaleta?鈥 (鈥淭his building is huge! Where is the bathroom?鈥) 

Czech Slang Phrase #4: Kolik to stoj铆? 

Meaning: How much does it cost? 

While you鈥檙e studying and exploring in Prague, you鈥檙e sure to pick up a few souvenirs to bring home, so you鈥檒l need to have some money on hand to pay for them. 

For example: 鈥淭en n谩hrdeln铆k je kr谩sn媒. Kolik to stoj铆?鈥 (鈥淭hat necklace is beautiful. How much does it cost?鈥) 

Czech Slang Phrase #5: Nev臎艡铆m sv媒m o膷铆m. 

Meaning: I can鈥檛 believe my eyes 

You might want to keep this phrase in your back pocket when you see some of the unbelievable sights in Prague and beyond. 

For example: 鈥淣em暖啪u uv臎艡it sv媒m o膷铆m 鈥 tento hrad je 煤chvatn媒!鈥 (鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe my eyes 鈥 this castle is breathtaking!鈥) 
 
Read More: 10 Great Reasons to Study Abroad in Prague 

Take Your Studies to the Czech Republic 

Now that you know a handful of Czech slang words and phrases, you鈥檝e put yourself in a good place for your first few days in Prague. Don鈥檛 worry 鈥 you鈥檒l pick up more of the Czech slang and language pretty quickly! 

Next up? Finding your perfect study abroad or global internship program! 

EXPLORE CZECH REPUBLIC PROGRAMS