Language/Czech/Grammar/Present-Tense

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Czech → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Verbs → Present Tense

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the present tense, one of the most fundamental aspects of Czech grammar. The present tense is used to talk about actions happening now or in the near future. By mastering the present tense, you will be able to express yourself in various everyday situations and engage in basic conversations. Throughout this lesson, we will explore the structure and usage of the present tense in Czech, providing numerous examples and exercises to help solidify your understanding.

Structure of the Present Tense

The present tense in Czech is relatively straightforward to form. The verb endings vary depending on the gender and number of the subject. Let's take a look at the conjugation patterns for regular verbs in the present tense:

Conjugation of Regular Verbs

Czech	Pronunciation	English
Já mluvím	Ya mloovim	I speak
Ty mluvíš	Tee mlooveesh	You speak (singular)
On/Ona/Ono mluví	On/Ona/Ono mloovee	He/She/It speaks
My mluvíme	Me mlooveeme	We speak
Vy mluvíte	Vee mlooveete	You speak (plural)
Oni/Ony/Ona mluví	Oni/Ony/Ona mloovee	They speak

As you can see, the verb endings change based on the subject pronouns. It's important to note that the verb endings for the singular forms (Já, Ty, On/Ona/Ono) are different from the verb endings for the plural forms (My, Vy, Oni/Ony/Ona). This distinction is crucial for accurate communication in Czech.

Usage of the Present Tense

The present tense is used to talk about actions happening now or in the near future. Let's explore some common situations where the present tense is applied:

Talking About Daily Routines

When describing daily routines or habits, the present tense is used. For example:

• Já chodím do práce každý den. (I go to work every day.)
• Oni vstávají brzy. (They wake up early.)

Expressing General Truths

The present tense is also used to express general truths or facts. For example:

• Slunce svítí ve dne a měsíc v noci. (The sun shines during the day, and the moon at night.)
• Voda vaří při sto stupních Celsia. (Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.)

Describing Future Plans

To talk about future plans or scheduled events, the present tense is often used. For example:

• Zítra jedu do Prahy. (Tomorrow, I am going to Prague.)
• V sobotu hrajeme fotbal. (On Saturday, we play football.)

Remember that even though we are referring to future events, we still use the present tense in Czech.

Cultural Insights

The usage of the present tense in Czech aligns closely with other Slavic languages. However, it's important to note that certain regional variations exist within the Czech Republic. For instance, in some dialects, speakers may use different verb forms or conjugation patterns in the present tense. These variations are often influenced by historical factors and local customs.

Czech culture is deeply rooted in its history and traditions. The Czech Republic is known for its rich literary heritage, with influential writers such as Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. Additionally, Czech cuisine is renowned for its hearty dishes like goulash and svíčková, and the country is famous for its beer production, with the city of Pilsen being the birthplace of the Pilsner style of beer.

Practice Exercises

Now, let's put your knowledge of the present tense to the test with some practice exercises. Choose the correct form of the verb to complete each sentence:

1. Já (mluvit/mluvím) česky. 2. Oni (jíst/jí) večeři spolu. 3. Ty (hrát/hraješ) na klavír. 4. My (čekat/čekáme) na autobus. 5. Ona (pít/pije) kávu každé ráno.

Solutions: 1. Já mluvím česky. (I speak Czech.) 2. Oni jí večeři spolu. (They eat dinner together.) 3. Ty hraješ na klavír. (You play the piano.) 4. My čekáme na autobus. (We wait for the bus.) 5. Ona pije kávu každé ráno. (She drinks coffee every morning.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to use the present tense in Czech to talk about actions happening now or in the near future. The present tense is a crucial aspect of everyday communication, allowing you to express yourself in various situations. Keep practicing and incorporating the present tense into your conversations to reinforce your understanding. In the next lesson, we will explore the past tense and learn how to talk about things that have already happened.

Table of Contents - Czech Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Accents and Special Characters

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Introduction to Nouns
• Personal Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Verbs

• Introduction to Verbs
• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Introduction to Adjectives
• Introduction to Adverbs
• Comparative and Superlative Forms

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Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings and Farewells
• Asking for and Giving Information
• Small Talk and Expressing Likes and Dislikes

  ---

At the Restaurant

• Ordering Food
• Asking for the Bill and Tipping
• Dining Etiquette

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Daily Life

• Shopping
• Transportation
• Health and Medical Emergencies

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History and Traditions

• History and Czech Lands
• Festivals and Celebrations
• Czech Cuisine

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Art and Heritage

• Czech Literature
• Architecture and Landmark
• Czech Film and Music

Sources

• Czech Tenses: Expressing the Past, Present, and Future
• Czech conjugation - Wikipedia
• Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia, Czech language - Verb tenses
• Czech language - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Past Tense
• Adjectives
• Vowels
• Possessive Pronouns
• Conditional Mood
• Verbs
• Verb to speak in Czech
• Personal Pronouns
• Negation
• Possessive Case in Czech

◀️ Introduction to Verbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Past Tense ▶️