Culture & Etiquette

1. Jsem nadšený(á) ze sametové revoluce

   ysem NAD-she-nee(-ah) ze SA-me-to-ve RE-vo-lu-tse

   I am fascinated by the Velvet Revolution

   Usage

   Used to express interest in Czechoslovakia's 1989 Velvet Revolution to a local

   Grammar Note

   Sametová revoluce was the non-violent pro-democracy movement starting in Prague in November 1989, led by Václav Havel

2. Dvořákova hudba je krásná

   DVO-rzhah-ko-va HUD-ba ye KRAHS-nah

   Dvořák's music is beautiful

   Usage

   Used to compliment Czech composer Dvořák to a local person

   Grammar Note

   Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) is famous for "New World Symphony". His works are played at Prague Spring festival annually

3. Kde si mohu koupit bohemské sklo?

   kde si MO-hu KOU-pit BO-hem-ske sklo

   Where can I buy Bohemian glass?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to purchase traditional Bohemian glass or crystal

   Grammar Note

   Bohemian glass is a signature Czech craft. Moser (Karlovy Vary) and Rückl (Nižbor) are prestigious brands

4. Trdelník je typicky pražský dezert

   TRDEL-nyeek ye TI-pits-ki PRAZH-skee DE-zert

   Trdelník is a typical Prague dessert

   Usage

   Used to introduce trdelník, a popular sweet sold at street stalls throughout Prague

   Grammar Note

   Trdelník actually originates from Slovakia and Hungary but has become an iconic part of Prague tourist culture

5. Rád(a) bych navštívil(a) lázně v Karlových Varech

   rahd(-ah) bikh NAV-shtyee-vil(-a) LAHZ-nye v KAR-lo-veekh VA-rekh

   I would like to visit the spas in Karlovy Vary

   Usage

   Used to express intent to visit the spa town of Karlovy Vary in western Bohemia

   Grammar Note

   Karlovy Vary has been a resort for European royalty and celebrities since the Habsburg era

6. Pivo je pro Čechy kulturou

   PI-vo ye pro CHE-khi KUL-tu-rou

   Beer is culture for Czech people

   Usage

   Used when discussing Czech beer culture. Czech Republic leads the world in per-capita beer consumption

   Grammar Note

   Czech pubs (pivnice/hospoda) are the center of beer culture. "Hostinec" refers to a rural tavern.

7. Navštívil(a) jsem Pražský hrad

   NAV-shtyee-vil(-a) ysem PRAZH-skee hrad

   I visited Prague Castle

   Usage

   Used to tell a local or fellow traveler that you visited Prague Castle

   Grammar Note

   Prague Castle is one of the largest ancient castle complexes in the world, including St Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace

8. Česká kuchyně je výborná

   CHES-kah KU-khi-nye ye VEE-bor-nah

   Czech cuisine is excellent

   Usage

   Used to compliment Czech food to a local

   Grammar Note

   Signature dishes: svíčková (beef in cream sauce), vepřo-knedlo-zelo (pork, dumplings, sauerkraut)

9. Jak se slaví Velikonoce v Čechách?

   yak se SLA-vee VE-li-ko-no-tse v CHE-khahkh

   How is Easter celebrated in Bohemia?

   Usage

   Used to ask a local about Czech Easter traditions

   Grammar Note

   Czech Easter tradition: boys tap girls lightly with a willow whip (pomlázka). Girls give decorated eggs in return

10. Praha je město sta věží

    PRA-ha ye MNYES-to sta VYE-zhee

    Prague is the city of a hundred spires

    Usage

    Used to introduce Prague by its famous nickname "the city of a hundred spires"

    Grammar Note

    "sta věží" is the genitive of "sto věží" (a hundred spires). Prague literally has over 100 towers and steeples

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