Café & Drinks

1. Jedno pivo, prosím

   YED-no PI-vo PRO-seem

   One beer, please

   Usage

   Used to order a beer at a bar or restaurant. Czech Republic leads the world in per-capita beer consumption

   Grammar Note

   "pivo" is neuter, so use "jedno" (one). Two beers: "dvě piva", three: "tři piva"

2. Pilsner Urquell nebo Kozel?

   PILZ-ner UR-kvel NE-bo KO-zel

   Pilsner Urquell or Kozel?

   Usage

   Used when choosing between two iconic Czech beer brands

   Grammar Note

   Pilsner originated in Plzeň (Pilsen) and became the archetype of lager worldwide. Kozel is also famous for dark (černé) beer

3. Sklenku vína, prosím

   SKLEN-ku VEE-na PRO-seem

   A glass of wine, please

   Usage

   Used to order a glass of wine at a restaurant or wine bar

   Grammar Note

   Moravia region is famous for Czech wines. Veltlínské zelené (Grüner Veltliner) is a popular variety

4. Slivovici nebo becherovku?

   SLI-vo-vi-tsi NE-bo BE-khe-rov-ku

   Slivovitz or Becherovka?

   Usage

   Used when choosing between Czech traditional spirits, common offer at tourist bars

   Grammar Note

   Becherovka is an herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary. Slivovitz is a traditional plum brandy common across the region

5. Velké nebo malé?

   VEL-ke NE-bo MA-le

   Large (0.5L) or small (0.3L)?

   Usage

   Used in Czech pubs to ask about beer glass size

   Grammar Note

   In Czech pubs, 0.5L is standard (velké), 0.3L is small (malé). "Půllitr" (half-litre) is also commonly used

6. Minerální vodu, prosím

   MI-ne-rahl-nyee VO-du PRO-seem

   Mineral water, please

   Usage

   Used to order water at a restaurant or café. Mineral water is the standard in Czech Republic

   Grammar Note

   For sparkling: "s bublinkami" (with bubbles), for still: "bez bublin" (without bubbles)

7. Kávu, prosím

   KAH-vu PRO-seem

   A coffee, please

   Usage

   Used to order a coffee at a café or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Traditional Czech coffee is "turecká káva" (Turkish-style). Espresso and cappuccino are also widely available

8. Čaj s citronem, prosím

   chay s TSIT-ro-nem PRO-seem

   Tea with lemon, please

   Usage

   Used to order tea with lemon at a café

   Grammar Note

   Preposition "s" (with) takes the instrumental case. Same structure: "s mlékem" (with milk)

9. Ještě jedno, prosím

   YESH-tye YED-no PRO-seem

   One more, please

   Usage

   The most useful phrase for reordering at a Czech bar or pub

   Grammar Note

   "jedno" agrees with "pivo" (neuter). For wine: "ještě jedno víno"; coffee: "ještě jednu kávu"

10. Na zdraví!

    na ZDRA-vee

    Cheers! / To your health!

    Usage

    The standard Czech toast used when clinking glasses

    Grammar Note

    Literally "to health". Czech tradition: maintain eye contact when toasting or it's said to bring bad luck

11. Bez ledu

    No ice

    Usage

    Show this when ordering a drink to have the ice left out; ice is "led"

12. Minerální voda

    Mineral water

    Usage

    Bottled water. Sparkling is often the default in Czechia, so always add "neperlivá" (still) or "perlivá" (sparkling)

13. Horká voda

    Hot water

    Usage

    Ask for hot water with this; boiling water is "vařící voda" and lukewarm water "vlažná voda"

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