Directions

1. Kde je Staroměstské náměstí?

   kde ye STA-ro-mnyest-ske NAH-mnyes-tyee

   Where is the Old Town Square?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to Prague's central Old Town Square

   Grammar Note

   "Kde je + place name" is the basic phrase for asking directions. Tourist landmark names are usually understood as-is

2. Jak se dostanu na Hradčany?

   yak se DO-sta-nu na HRAD-cha-ni

   How do I get to Hradčany (Prague Castle district)?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to reach the Prague Castle district

   Grammar Note

   "Jak se dostanu na/do + place" asks for directions including transport. "na" for squares/areas, "do" for inside buildings

3. Jděte rovně a pak zahněte doleva

   YDYE-te ROV-nye a pak ZAH-nye-te DO-le-va

   Go straight and then turn left

   Usage

   Used when giving or confirming directions to someone

   Grammar Note

   "doprava" = right, "doleva" = left, "rovně" = straight. These direction words are essential in Prague

4. Kde je zastávka tramvaje?

   kde ye ZAS-tahv-ka TRAM-va-ye

   Where is the tram stop?

   Usage

   Used to locate a tram stop in Prague, where trams are a popular tourist transport option

   Grammar Note

   Prague tram line 22 is popular among tourists passing near Charles Bridge and Prague Castle

5. Je to daleko?

   ye to DA-le-ko

   Is it far?

   Usage

   Used to ask if the destination is far away

   Grammar Note

   Answer for nearby: "Ne, je to blízko" (No, it's close). Distance: "Je to 5 minut pěšky" (5 min walk)

6. Ukažte mi to na mapě, prosím

   U-kazh-te mi to na MA-pye PRO-seem

   Please show me on the map

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are hard to follow and you want the location pointed out on a map

   Grammar Note

   "mapě" is the locative case of "mapa" (map). The locative is required after the preposition "na"

7. Nastupte do metra na stanici Muzeum

   NAS-tup-te do ME-tra na STA-nyi-tsi MU-ze-um

   Take the metro at Muzeum station

   Usage

   Used when giving directions involving Prague's metro system

   Grammar Note

   Locational "na" takes the locative — "na stanici". Prague metro has 3 lines: A (green), B (yellow), C (red); Muzeum is the A/C interchange

8. Přejděte přes Karlův most

   PRZHE-ydye-te przhes KAR-loov most

   Cross over Charles Bridge

   Usage

   Used when giving directions that involve crossing Prague's iconic Charles Bridge

   Grammar Note

   "Karlův" is a possessive adjective from "Karel" (Charles). Charles Bridge is most beautiful at dawn or dusk

9. Ztratil(a) jsem se

   ZTRAH-tyil(-a) ysem se

   I am lost

   Usage

   Used when lost and seeking help. Male: "Ztratil jsem se", Female: "Ztratila jsem se"

   Grammar Note

   Czech past tense changes by gender: -l for male, -la for female. Uses the perfective verb "ztratit"

10. Jak daleko je to pěšky?

    yak DA-le-ko ye to PYESH-ki

    How far is it on foot?

    Usage

    Used to ask how far a destination is when considering walking

    Grammar Note

    "pěšky" is an adverb meaning "on foot". Reply example: "Je to 10 minut pěšky" (10 minutes on foot)

11. Doprava

    To the right

    Usage

    Show this to say "turn right" in a taxi. The identical noun "doprava" means "transport/traffic", so watch the context on signs; "on the right" is "vpravo"

12. Doleva

    To the left

    Usage

    Show this to say "turn left"; "on the left" is "vlevo"

13. Rovně

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Show this to say "keep going straight"; "go straight" is "Jeďte rovně" (driving) or "Jděte rovně" (walking)

14. Zpátky

    Back (go back)

    Usage

    Show this to say "turn back"; the written form is "zpět" and a U-turn is "otočit se"

15. Zastavte tady, prosím

    Please stop here

    Usage

    Tell a taxi driver where to let you out; in a hurry, "Zastavte!" alone works

    Grammar Note

    "Zastavte" is the polite (vykání) imperative; the familiar form is "Zastav"

16. Sever

    North

    Usage

    Use this to match a compass direction on a map or sign; "northwards" is "na sever"

17. Jih

    South

    Usage

    The compass direction south; "southwards" is "na jih"

18. Východ

    East

    Usage

    The compass direction east. The same word also means "exit" — a "VÝCHOD" sign inside a station or building is a way out, not a direction. Say "na východ" (eastwards) to make the compass sense clear

19. Západ

    West

    Usage

    The compass direction west; the same word also means sunset in "západ slunce"

20. Hotel

    Usage

    Point to this to give a hotel as your destination; show it together with the hotel name written down

21. Letiště

    Airport

    Usage

    Point to this to give the airport as your destination; Prague's is "Letiště Václava Havla"

22. Autobusová zastávka

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point to this when asking for a bus stop; a coach station is "autobusové nádraží"

23. Metro

    Subway (metro)

    Usage

    The metro; entrances are marked with a green, yellow, or red "M". A tram is a "tramvaj"

24. Velvyslanectví

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point to this to name an embassy as your destination; a consulate is "konzulát"

25. Bankomat

    ATM

    Usage

    Point to this when looking for a cash machine; bank-branded ATMs charge less than standalone ones like Euronet

26. Směnárna

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    A currency exchange; tourist-area booths can be poor value, so read the "kupujeme" (we buy) column of the rate board

27. Prádelna

    Laundromat

    Usage

    Ask for a place to wash clothes; "prádelna" also covers a hotel laundry room or a drop-off service, so say "samoobslužná prádelna" for a self-service one

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