What Time Is It In Czech? Understanding how to tell time in Czech can be tricky, but what.edu.vn provides a simple guide to help. Learn the nuances of Czech time expressions with easy-to-understand explanations and examples. Explore Czech time-telling and expand your language skills.
1. Understanding the Basics of Telling Time in Czech
Learning to tell time in a new language can be challenging, but with a structured approach, it becomes manageable. Czech, like many languages, has its own unique way of expressing time. Before diving into specific phrases, it’s important to understand some basic grammatical concepts and vocabulary.
1.1. Essential Vocabulary
- hodina (hour): This is a fundamental word.
- minuta (minute): Another key term you’ll use frequently.
- půl (half): Essential for expressing times like “half past.”
- čtvrt (quarter): Necessary for times like “quarter past” or “quarter to.”
- po (after): Used to indicate minutes past the hour.
- za (in/for): Used to indicate minutes before the hour.
- je (it is): The verb “to be” in the third person singular, used to start time-telling phrases.
- jsou (they are): The verb “to be” in the third person plural, also used in time-telling.
1.2. Grammatical Considerations
Czech grammar involves cases that affect how nouns and adjectives change based on their function in a sentence. When telling time, you’ll encounter:
- Nominative Case: Used for stating the hour directly (e.g., “jedna hodina” – one hour).
- Genitive Case: Used with “půl” to indicate half past the hour (e.g., “půl druhé” – half past one).
- Accusative Case: Used with “čtvrt na” to indicate quarter past or to the hour (e.g., “čtvrt na dvě” – quarter past one).
Understanding these cases will help you grasp why certain words change their form when expressing time.
1.3. The Verb “Být” (To Be)
The verb “být” is crucial for telling time. You’ll use “je” (it is) for times involving one hour, and “jsou” (they are) for two, three, or four hours. For five or more hours, you’ll use “je” again, but the noun “hodin” (hours) will be in the genitive plural.
- “Je jedna hodina” (It is one o’clock).
- “Jsou dvě hodiny” (It is two o’clock).
- “Je pět hodin” (It is five o’clock).
1.4. Numbers in Czech
Knowing numbers is essential. Here are the numbers you’ll use most often:
- jedna (one)
- dvě (two)
- tři (three)
- čtyři (four)
- pět (five)
- šest (six)
- sedm (seven)
- osm (eight)
- devět (nine)
- deset (ten)
- jedenáct (eleven)
- dvanáct (twelve)
- patnáct (fifteen)
- dvacet (twenty)
- třicet (thirty)
- čtyřicet (forty)
- padesát (fifty)
- šedesát (sixty)
1.5. Common Phrases to Start With
Start by learning these common phrases:
- Kolik je hodin? (What time is it?)
- Je jedna hodina (It is one o’clock).
- Je půl druhé (It is half past one).
- Je čtvrt na dvě (It is quarter past one).
- Je čtvrt do dvou (It is quarter to two).
With these basics, you’re ready to start telling time in Czech.
2. Telling Exact Hours: Mastering “Hodin”
When expressing exact hours, the Czech language uses the word “hodin” (hours). The form of the verb “to be” (být) and the noun “hodina” (hour) changes depending on the hour being expressed. This section will guide you through the correct usage.
2.1. Using “Je” and “Hodina” for One O’Clock
For one o’clock, the phrase is “je jedna hodina.” Here, “je” is the third-person singular form of “být” (to be), and “jedna hodina” means “one hour.”
- Je jedna hodina. (It is one o’clock.)
2.2. Using “Jsou” and “Hodiny” for Two, Three, and Four O’Clock
For two, three, and four o’clock, the phrase uses “jsou,” which is the third-person plural form of “být,” and “hodiny,” the nominative plural form of “hodina.”
- Jsou dvě hodiny. (It is two o’clock.)
- Jsou tři hodiny. (It is three o’clock.)
- Jsou čtyři hodiny. (It is four o’clock.)
2.3. Using “Je” and the Genitive Plural “Hodin” for Five to Twelve O’Clock
For hours five through twelve, the phrase reverts to using “je,” but the noun “hodin” takes the genitive plural form.
- Je pět hodin. (It is five o’clock.)
- Je šest hodin. (It is six o’clock.)
- Je sedm hodin. (It is seven o’clock.)
- Je osm hodin. (It is eight o’clock.)
- Je devět hodin. (It is nine o’clock.)
- Je deset hodin. (It is ten o’clock.)
- Je jedenáct hodin. (It is eleven o’clock.)
- Je dvanáct hodin. (It is twelve o’clock.)
2.4. Table Summarizing Exact Hours
| Time | Czech |
|---|---|
| 1:00 | Je jedna hodina |
| 2:00 | Jsou dvě hodiny |
| 3:00 | Jsou tři hodiny |
| 4:00 | Jsou čtyři hodiny |
| 5:00 | Je pět hodin |
| 6:00 | Je šest hodin |
| 7:00 | Je sedm hodin |
| 8:00 | Je osm hodin |
| 9:00 | Je devět hodin |
| 10:00 | Je deset hodin |
| 11:00 | Je jedenáct hodin |
| 12:00 | Je dvanáct hodin |
2.5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Verb Form: Using “je” when “jsou” is required, or vice versa.
- Incorrect Noun Form: Failing to use the correct plural form of “hodina.”
- Forgetting the Genitive Plural: Not using “hodin” for hours five through twelve.
2.6. Practice Sentences
- “Kolik je hodin?” “Je sedm hodin.” (“What time is it?” “It is seven o’clock.”)
- “Prosím, řekněte mi, kolik je hodin.” “Jsou tři hodiny.” (“Please tell me what time it is.” “It is three o’clock.”)
- “Mám schůzku, když je devět hodin.” (“I have a meeting when it is nine o’clock.”)
By mastering these phrases, you can accurately tell the time in Czech when it is an exact hour.
3. Expressing Half Hours: The Nuance of “Půl”
In Czech, expressing half hours involves a unique approach using “půl,” which means “half.” Instead of saying “half past” the hour, Czech speakers refer to “half of” the next hour. This can be a bit confusing for learners, but with practice, it becomes natural.
3.1. The Concept of “Half of the Next Hour”
The key to understanding half hours in Czech is to remember that you are referring to half of the next hour. For example, if it is 1:30, you would say “půl druhé,” which translates to “half of two.”
3.2. Using “Půl” with the Genitive Singular Feminine
When using “půl,” the hour is given in the genitive singular feminine form. Since “hodina” (hour) is feminine, the adjective form of the number is used.
- půl jedné: half of one (12:30)
- půl druhé: half of two (1:30)
- půl třetí: half of three (2:30)
- půl čtvrté: half of four (3:30)
- půl páté: half of five (4:30)
- půl šesté: half of six (5:30)
- půl sedmé: half of seven (6:30)
- půl osmé: half of eight (7:30)
- půl deváté: half of nine (8:30)
- půl desáté: half of ten (9:30)
- půl jedenácté: half of eleven (10:30)
- půl dvanácté: half of twelve (11:30)
3.3. Table Summarizing Half Hours
| Time | Czech |
|---|---|
| 12:30 | půl jedné |
| 1:30 | půl druhé |
| 2:30 | půl třetí |
| 3:30 | půl čtvrté |
| 4:30 | půl páté |
| 5:30 | půl šesté |
| 6:30 | půl sedmé |
| 7:30 | půl osmé |
| 8:30 | půl deváté |
| 9:30 | půl desáté |
| 10:30 | půl jedenácté |
| 11:30 | půl dvanácté |
3.4. Example Sentences
- “Kolik je hodin?” “Je půl třetí.” (“What time is it?” “It’s half past two.”)
- “Autobus odjíždí v půl páté.” (“The bus leaves at half past four.”)
- “Mám schůzku v půl desáté.” (“I have a meeting at half past nine.”)
3.5. Tips for Remembering
- Think of the next hour: Always consider the hour that is coming up next.
- Practice regularly: The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
- Use flashcards: Create flashcards with the times and their Czech equivalents.
3.6. Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the genitive form: Not using the correct genitive singular feminine form of the hour.
- Translating directly from English: Avoid thinking in terms of “half past” and focus on “half of the next hour.”
By mastering “půl,” you’ll be able to express half hours accurately in Czech.
4. Quarter Hours: Mastering “Čtvrt” and Its Variations
Telling quarter hours in Czech requires understanding the term “čtvrt,” which means “quarter.” Similar to half hours, Czech uses a unique construction that can differ from English. This section will guide you through the correct usage of “čtvrt” in various contexts.
4.1. “Čtvrt na” – Quarter Past
To express “quarter past” the hour, Czech uses the phrase “čtvrt na,” followed by the accusative form of the next hour. For example, 1:15 is expressed as “čtvrt na dvě” (quarter on/to two).
- čtvrt na jednu: quarter past twelve (12:15)
- čtvrt na dvě: quarter past one (1:15)
- čtvrt na tři: quarter past two (2:15)
- čtvrt na čtyři: quarter past three (3:15)
- čtvrt na pět: quarter past four (4:15)
- čtvrt na šest: quarter past five (5:15)
- čtvrt na sedm: quarter past six (6:15)
- čtvrt na osm: quarter past seven (7:15)
- čtvrt na devět: quarter past eight (8:15)
- čtvrt na deset: quarter past nine (9:15)
- čtvrt na jedenáct: quarter past ten (10:15)
- čtvrt na dvanáct: quarter past eleven (11:15)
4.2. “Tři čtvrtě na” – Quarter To
To express “quarter to” the hour, Czech uses the phrase “tři čtvrtě na,” followed by the accusative form of the next hour. For example, 1:45 is expressed as “tři čtvrtě na dvě” (three quarters on/to two).
- tři čtvrtě na jednu: quarter to one (12:45)
- tři čtvrtě na dvě: quarter to two (1:45)
- tři čtvrtě na tři: quarter to three (2:45)
- tři čtvrtě na čtyři: quarter to four (3:45)
- tři čtvrtě na pět: quarter to five (4:45)
- tři čtvrtě na šest: quarter to six (5:45)
- tři čtvrtě na sedm: quarter to seven (6:45)
- tři čtvrtě na osm: quarter to eight (7:45)
- tři čtvrtě na devět: quarter to nine (8:45)
- tři čtvrtě na deset: quarter to ten (9:45)
- tři čtvrtě na jedenáct: quarter to eleven (10:45)
- tři čtvrtě na dvanáct: quarter to twelve (11:45)
4.3. Table Summarizing Quarter Hours
| Time | Quarter Past (čtvrt na) | Quarter To (tři čtvrtě na) |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15 | čtvrt na jednu | N/A |
| 12:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na jednu |
| 1:15 | čtvrt na dvě | N/A |
| 1:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na dvě |
| 2:15 | čtvrt na tři | N/A |
| 2:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na tři |
| 3:15 | čtvrt na čtyři | N/A |
| 3:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na čtyři |
| 4:15 | čtvrt na pět | N/A |
| 4:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na pět |
| 5:15 | čtvrt na šest | N/A |
| 5:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na šest |
| 6:15 | čtvrt na sedm | N/A |
| 6:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na sedm |
| 7:15 | čtvrt na osm | N/A |
| 7:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na osm |
| 8:15 | čtvrt na devět | N/A |
| 8:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na devět |
| 9:15 | čtvrt na deset | N/A |
| 9:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na deset |
| 10:15 | čtvrt na jedenáct | N/A |
| 10:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na jedenáct |
| 11:15 | čtvrt na dvanáct | N/A |
| 11:45 | N/A | tři čtvrtě na dvanáct |
4.4. Example Sentences
- “Kolik je hodin?” “Je čtvrt na tři.” (“What time is it?” “It is quarter past two.”)
- “Setkám se s tebou v tři čtvrtě na pět.” (“I will meet you at quarter to five.”)
- “Vlak přijede v čtvrt na deset.” (“The train arrives at quarter past nine.”)
4.5. Tips for Remembering
- Visualize the clock: Imagine the clock face and think in terms of fractions of an hour.
- Use mnemonic devices: Create mental associations to help remember the phrases.
- Practice with native speakers: Engage in conversations to get real-time feedback.
4.6. Common Mistakes
- Incorrect case: Using the wrong case for the hour after “čtvrt na” or “tři čtvrtě na.”
- Direct translation: Avoid translating directly from English; remember the Czech construction.
By understanding and practicing these phrases, you can confidently express quarter hours in Czech.
5. Specifying Minutes After the Hour: Using “Po”
When specifying minutes after the hour in Czech, the preposition “po” (after) is used. This construction allows you to express times such as “ten minutes after one” or “twenty minutes after three.” Understanding how to use “po” correctly is essential for precise time-telling.
5.1. The Structure of “Minutes Po Hour”
The basic structure for specifying minutes after the hour is: “je” + [number of minutes] + “minut po” + [hour in genitive singular feminine].
- “Je deset minut po jedné” (It is ten minutes after one).
- “Je dvacet minut po třetí” (It is twenty minutes after three).
5.2. Number of Minutes
The number of minutes is expressed using the appropriate Czech numeral. Remember that the form of “minuta” (minute) changes depending on the number:
- 1 minuta (1 minute)
- 2, 3, 4 minuty (2, 3, 4 minutes)
- 5+ minut (5 or more minutes)
5.3. Hour in Genitive Singular Feminine
The hour following “po” must be in the genitive singular feminine form. This is because “hodina” (hour) is a feminine noun. The genitive singular feminine forms are:
- jedné (of one)
- druhé (of two)
- třetí (of three)
- čtvrté (of four)
- páté (of five)
- šesté (of six)
- sedmé (of seven)
- osmé (of eight)
- deváté (of nine)
- desáté (of ten)
- jedenácté (of eleven)
- dvanácté (of twelve)
5.4. Example Sentences
- “Je pět minut po dvanácté.” (It is five minutes after twelve.)
- “Je patnáct minut po druhé.” (It is fifteen minutes after one.)
- “Je dvacet pět minut po osmé.” (It is twenty-five minutes after seven.)
- “Je třicet minut po šesté.” (It is thirty minutes after five.)
- “Je čtyřicet minut po desáté.” (It is forty minutes after nine.)
5.5. Common Phrases
- “Kolik je hodin?” “Je deset minut po páté.” (“What time is it?” “It is ten minutes after four.”)
- “Začneme v pět minut po jedné.” (“We will start at five minutes after twelve.”)
- “Autobus přijede v dvacet minut po sedmé.” (“The bus arrives at twenty minutes after six.”)
5.6. Tips for Remembering
- Practice regularly: Practice saying different times using the “po” construction.
- Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how Czech speakers express time.
- Use visual aids: Create a chart with the genitive singular feminine forms of the hours.
5.7. Common Mistakes
- Incorrect case: Not using the genitive singular feminine form for the hour.
- Incorrect form of “minuta”: Failing to use the correct form of “minuta” based on the number of minutes.
- Word order: Not following the correct word order (je + minutes + minut po + hour).
By mastering the “po” construction, you can express minutes after the hour accurately and confidently in Czech.
6. Specifying Minutes Before the Hour: Using “Za”
In Czech, expressing minutes before the hour involves using the preposition “za,” which means “in” or “for.” This construction allows you to express times such as “ten minutes to two” or “five minutes to eight.” Understanding how to use “za” correctly is crucial for accurate time-telling.
6.1. The Structure of “Minutes Za Hour”
The basic structure for specifying minutes before the hour is: “je za” + [number of minutes] + “minut” + [hour in accusative].
- “Je za deset minut dvě” (It is ten minutes to two).
- “Je za pět minut osm” (It is five minutes to eight).
6.2. Number of Minutes
The number of minutes is expressed using the appropriate Czech numeral. Remember that the form of “minuta” (minute) changes depending on the number:
- 1 minuta (1 minute)
- 2, 3, 4 minuty (2, 3, 4 minutes)
- 5+ minut (5 or more minutes)
6.3. Hour in Accusative Case
The hour following “za” must be in the accusative case. The accusative forms are generally the same as the nominative, but there are some exceptions, particularly for masculine animate nouns. For telling time, you’ll primarily use the accusative forms of the feminine nouns, which are the same as the nominative:
- jednu (one) – usually not used, as it’s close to the hour
- dvě (two)
- tři (three)
- čtyři (four)
- pět (five)
- šest (six)
- sedm (seven)
- osm (eight)
- devět (nine)
- deset (ten)
- jedenáct (eleven)
- dvanáct (twelve)
6.4. Example Sentences
- “Je za pět minut dvanáct.” (It is five minutes to twelve.)
- “Je za patnáct minut dvě.” (It is fifteen minutes to two.)
- “Je za dvacet pět minut osm.” (It is twenty-five minutes to eight.)
6.5. Common Phrases
- “Kolik je hodin?” “Je za deset minut pět.” (“What time is it?” “It is ten minutes to five.”)
- “Musím odejít za pět minut.” (“I have to leave in five minutes.”)
- “Vlak přijede za dvacet minut.” (“The train will arrive in twenty minutes.”)
6.6. Tips for Remembering
- Think of the upcoming hour: Always focus on the hour that is approaching.
- Practice with a clock: Use a clock to visualize the time and practice saying it in Czech.
- Use context clues: Pay attention to how native speakers use “za” in conversation.
6.7. Common Mistakes
- Incorrect case: Not using the accusative case for the hour.
- Incorrect form of “minuta”: Failing to use the correct form of “minuta” based on the number of minutes.
- Word order: Not following the correct word order (je za + minutes + minut + hour).
By mastering the “za” construction, you can confidently express minutes before the hour in Czech.
7. Using 24-Hour Time: A Simple Approach
In Czech, using the 24-hour time format is quite straightforward, especially when reading from digital devices such as watches, computers, or phones. Czech speakers often simply state the hour and minute components separately.
7.1. How to Express 24-Hour Time
To express time in the 24-hour format, you simply say the hour followed by the minutes. For example:
- 14:30 would be “čtrnáct třicet” (fourteen thirty).
- 20:15 would be “dvacet patnáct” (twenty fifteen).
7.2. The Leading “Nula”
One minor quirk is when expressing minutes one through nine past the hour. In these cases, you add a leading “nula” (zero) before the minute. For example:
- 16:05 would be “šestnáct nula pět” (sixteen zero five).
- 08:02 would be “osm nula dvě” (eight zero two).
7.3. Example Times
Here are some additional examples to illustrate how to express 24-hour time in Czech:
- 01:00 – “jedna nula nula” (one zero zero)
- 05:20 – “pět dvacet” (five twenty)
- 10:10 – “deset nula deset” (ten zero ten)
- 12:00 – “dvanáct nula nula” (twelve zero zero)
- 17:45 – “sedmnáct čtyřicet pět” (seventeen forty-five)
- 23:59 – “dvacet tři padesát devět” (twenty-three fifty-nine)
7.4. Common Phrases
- “V kolik hodin odjíždí vlak?” “V sedmnáct třicet.” (“What time does the train leave?” “At seventeen thirty.”)
- “Můžeme se setkat v devět nula pět?” (“Can we meet at nine zero five?”)
- “Začínáme v deset hodin.” (“We start at ten o’clock.”)
7.5. Tips for Remembering
- Practice reading digital clocks: Regularly read the time on digital clocks and say it in Czech.
- Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how Czech speakers express 24-hour time in everyday conversations.
- Write down times: Practice writing down times in the 24-hour format and then saying them aloud in Czech.
7.6. Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the leading “nula”: Failing to add the leading “nula” for minutes one through nine.
- Confusing with 12-hour format: Mixing up the 24-hour format with the 12-hour format, especially when converting times.
By understanding and practicing these guidelines, you can easily and accurately use the 24-hour time format in Czech.
8. Common Phrases for Talking About Time
Knowing how to tell time is just the beginning. It’s equally important to learn common phrases related to time to effectively communicate in Czech. This section provides essential phrases for discussing schedules, appointments, and general time-related topics.
8.1. Asking What Time It Is
- Kolik je hodin? (What time is it?)
- Prosím, kolik je hodin? (Please, what time is it?)
- Můžete mi říct, kolik je hodin? (Can you tell me what time it is?)
8.2. Specifying Times for Events
- V kolik hodin…? (At what time…?)
- V kolik hodin začíná film? (What time does the movie start?)
- V kolik hodin se sejdeme? (What time shall we meet?)
- Začínáme v… (We start at…)
- Začínáme v osm hodin. (We start at eight o’clock.)
- Končíme v… (We finish at…)
- Končíme v pět hodin. (We finish at five o’clock.)
8.3. Making Appointments
- Mám schůzku v… (I have an appointment at…)
- Mám schůzku v deset hodin. (I have an appointment at ten o’clock.)
- Setkáme se v… (We will meet at…)
- Setkáme se v půl druhé. (We will meet at half past one.)
- Můžeme se setkat v…? (Can we meet at…?)
- Můžeme se setkat v tři čtvrtě na čtyři? (Can we meet at quarter to four?)
8.4. Discussing Duration
- Jak dlouho to trvá? (How long does it take?)
- Trvá to… (It takes…)
- Trvá to hodinu. (It takes an hour.)
- Trvá to půl hodiny. (It takes half an hour.)
- Na jak dlouho? (For how long?)
- Na hodinu. (For an hour.)
- Na dvě hodiny. (For two hours.)
8.5. Time-Related Adverbs and Expressions
- dnes (today)
- Dnes v pět hodin. (Today at five o’clock.)
- zítra (tomorrow)
- Zítra v deset hodin. (Tomorrow at ten o’clock.)
- včera (yesterday)
- Včera v osm hodin. (Yesterday at eight o’clock.)
- brzy (soon)
- Uvidíme se brzy. (We will see each other soon.)
- pozdě (late)
- Je pozdě. (It is late.)
- přesně (exactly)
- Přijďte přesně v devět hodin. (Come exactly at nine o’clock.)
- včas (on time)
- Přijďte včas. (Come on time.)
8.6. Useful Phrases for Schedules
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Kdy máš čas? | When do you have time? |
| Mám volno v pondělí. | I am free on Monday. |
| Pracuji od osmi do pěti. | I work from eight to five. |
| Nejdřív se musím podívat do diáře. | I need to check my schedule first. |
| Můžeme to přesunout? | Can we reschedule? |
8.7. Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Asking for the Time
- Osoba A: “Promiňte, kolik je hodin?” (Excuse me, what time is it?)
- Osoba B: “Je čtvrt na tři.” (It’s quarter past two.)
- Osoba A: “Děkuji.” (Thank you.)
Dialogue 2: Making an Appointment
- Osoba A: “Můžeme se setkat zítra?” (Can we meet tomorrow?)
- Osoba B: “Ano, v kolik hodin?” (Yes, at what time?)
- Osoba A: “Co třeba v deset hodin?” (How about at ten o’clock?)
- Osoba B: “Dobře, uvidíme se v deset hodin.” (Okay, we will see each other at ten o’clock.)
By learning and practicing these common phrases, you can enhance your ability to discuss time-related topics in Czech with greater confidence and accuracy.
9. Tips for Mastering Time-Telling in Czech
Mastering time-telling in Czech requires consistent effort and practice. Here are some tips to help you improve your skills and become more confident in using Czech time expressions.
9.1. Practice Regularly
- Daily Practice: Dedicate a few minutes each day to practice telling time in Czech. Consistency is key to reinforcing your knowledge.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with different times and their Czech equivalents. Review them regularly.
- Verbal Practice: Say the time aloud in Czech whenever you check the clock.
9.2. Immerse Yourself in the Language
- Listen to Native Speakers: Pay attention to how Czech speakers express time in conversations, podcasts, and videos.
- Watch Czech Media: Watch Czech movies or TV shows to hear time-related phrases in context.
- Read Czech Texts: Read Czech books, articles, or websites to see how time is written and discussed.
9.3. Use Visual Aids
- Clock with Czech Labels: Label a clock with the Czech phrases for different times (e.g., “půl” for half past, “čtvrt na” for quarter past).
- Time Conversion Chart: Create a chart that converts English time expressions to Czech.
9.4. Practice with Native Speakers
- Language Exchange Partners: Find a Czech language exchange partner to practice telling time and discussing schedules.
- Online Tutoring: Consider taking online lessons with a Czech tutor
