Language/Czech/Vocabulary/Small-Talk-and-Expressing-Likes-and-Dislikes

◀️ Asking for and Giving Information — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Ordering Food ▶️

Czech → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Small Talk and Expressing Likes and Dislikes

Welcome to the lesson on Small Talk and Expressing Likes and Dislikes! This topic is incredibly important for anyone learning Czech, as it opens the door to engaging conversations, building friendships, and experiencing the rich culture of the Czech Republic. Whether you're chatting with a neighbor, a coworker, or someone you meet at a café, knowing how to initiate small talk and express your preferences will enhance your ability to connect with others in a meaningful way.

In this lesson, we will cover:

• Common phrases for small talk

• Vocabulary related to likes and dislikes

• Examples illustrating these concepts

• Exercises to practice what you've learned

By the end of this lesson, you'll be equipped with the tools to strike up a conversation and express your opinions in Czech. So, let's dive in!

Small Talk in Czech

Small talk is a type of casual conversation that often revolves around everyday topics. It can be about the weather, recent events, or personal interests. In Czech, initiating small talk can be straightforward once you know the right phrases. Here are some common topics and phrases:

Common Small Talk Topics

1. The Weather

• "Jaké je dnes počasí?" (How is the weather today?)

• "Je hezky." (It’s nice out.)

2. Work and Studies

• "Kde pracujete?" (Where do you work?)

• "Co studujete?" (What are you studying?)

3. Hobbies and Interests

• "Jaké máte koníčky?" (What hobbies do you have?)

• "Hrajete nějaký sport?" (Do you play any sports?)

4. Family and Friends

• "Máte sourozence?" (Do you have siblings?)

• "Jak se má vaše rodina?" (How is your family?)

5. Travel and Places

• "Kde jste byl/a naposledy?" (Where were you last?)

• "Jaké město máte rád/a?" (What city do you like?)

Here’s a table summarizing these small talk topics:

Czech	Pronunciation	English
Jaké je dnes počasí?	[ˈja.kɛ jɛ d.nɛs ˈpo.tʃa.sɪ]	How is the weather today?
Je hezky.	[jɛ ˈhɛs.ki]	It’s nice out.
Kde pracujete?	[k.dɛ ˈpra.t͡su.jɛ.tɛ]	Where do you work?
Co studujete?	[t͡so ˈstu.du.jɛ.tɛ]	What are you studying?
Jaké máte koníčky?	[ˈja.kɛ ˈma.tɛ ˈko.ni.t͡ʃ.ki]	What hobbies do you have?
Hrajete nějaký sport?	[ˈhra.jɛ.tɛ ˈɲɛ.ja.ki ˈsport]	Do you play any sports?
Máte sourozence?	[ˈma.tɛ ˈsou.ro.zɛn.t͡sɛ]	Do you have siblings?
Jak se má vaše rodina?	[ˈjak sɛ ma ˈva.ʃɛ ˈro.dɪ.na]	How is your family?
Kde jste byl/a naposledy?	[k.dɛ jstɛ bɪl/ˈa ˈna.po.sle.dɪ]	Where were you last?
Jaké město máte rád/a?	[ˈja.kɛ ˈmɲɛ.sto ˈma.tɛ ˈraːd/ˈa]	What city do you like?

Expressing Likes and Dislikes

Being able to express your likes and dislikes is essential in any language. In Czech, there are specific phrases you can use to communicate your preferences. Let’s look at some useful vocabulary:

Common Phrases for Likes

• "Mám rád/a..." (I like...)

• "Oblíbený..." (Favorite...)

• "Líbí se mi..." (I like... / It pleases me...)

Common Phrases for Dislikes

• "Nemám rád/a..." (I don’t like...)

• "Není můj oblíbený..." (It’s not my favorite...)

• "Nelíbí se mi..." (I don’t like... / It doesn’t please me...)

Here’s a table with examples of expressing likes and dislikes:

Czech	Pronunciation	English
Mám rád jablka.	[maːm raːd ˈja.bl.ka]	I like apples.
Mám ráda čokoládu.	[maːm ˈraː.də ˈtʃo.ko.laː.du]	I like chocolate.
Oblíbený film je komedie.	[ˈo.bliː.bɛ.nɪ ˈfɪlm jɛ koˈmɛ.dɪ.jɛ]	My favorite movie is a comedy.
Líbí se mi hudba.	[ˈliː.bɪː sɛ mɪ ˈhu.db.a]	I like music.
Nemám rád sport.	[ˈnɛ.maːm raːd ˈsport]	I don’t like sports.
Není můj oblíbený film.	[ˈnɛ.ni muːj ˈo.bliː.bɛ.nɪ ˈfɪlm]	It’s not my favorite film.
Nelíbí se mi ta kniha.	[nɛˈliː.bɪː sɛ mɪ ta ˈkɲɪ.ha]	I don’t like that book.

Summary of Vocabulary

To briefly summarize, here are the key phrases and vocabulary you should remember:

For Likes:

• Mám rád/a... (I like...)

• Oblíbený... (Favorite...)

• Líbí se mi... (I like...)

For Dislikes:

• Nemám rád/a... (I don’t like...)

• Není můj oblíbený... (It’s not my favorite...)

• Nelíbí se mi... (I don’t like...)

Exercises

Now that we've gone through the vocabulary, it’s time to practice! Here are some exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences by filling in the blanks with the correct form of "like" or "dislike".

1. Mám __________ (to like) pizza.

2. Nemám __________ (to like) zimu.

3. Líbí se mi __________ (music).

Answers:

1. rád/a

2. rád/a

3. hudba

Exercise 2: Match the Questions and Answers

Match the questions with the appropriate answers.

| Question | Answer |

|-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|

| 1. Jaké je tvé oblíbené jídlo? | A. Mám rád hory. |

| 2. Co děláš ve volném čase? | B. Moje oblíbené jídlo je pizza. |

| 3. Máš rád sport? | C. Rád/a čtu a sleduji filmy. |

Answers:

1 - B

2 - C

3 - A

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Write sentences using the following prompts:

1. Your favorite hobby

2. Something you don’t like

3. A favorite movie

Example Answers: (Your answers will vary)

1. Mám rád/a malování. (I like painting.)

2. Nemám rád/a hmyz. (I don’t like insects.)

3. Oblíbený film je akční. (My favorite movie is action.)

Exercise 4: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and practice a small talk scenario using the phrases learned. One person initiates the conversation, and the other responds.

Example Scenario:

A: Jaké je dnes počasí? (How is the weather today?)

B: Je hezky. A co ty? (It’s nice out. And you?)

Answers: (Varied responses)

Exercise 5: Listening Comprehension

Listen to a conversation and identify expressions of likes and dislikes. Write down what you hear and translate them into English.

Answers: This will depend on the audio provided.

Exercise 6: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Czech:

1. I like tea.

2. I don’t like autumn.

3. My favorite sport is football.

Answers:

1. Mám rád/a čaj.

2. Nemám rád/a podzim.

3. Můj oblíbený sport je fotbal.

Exercise 7: Group Discussion

In small groups, discuss your likes and dislikes. Use the vocabulary learned in this lesson to share with each other.

Example Discussion Points:

• Favorite foods

• Hobbies

• Music preferences

Exercise 8: Create a Mini Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between two people using small talk phrases and expressions of likes and dislikes.

Example Dialogue:

A: Jak se máš? (How are you?)

B: Dobře, a ty? (Good, and you?)

A: Mám rád filmy. A ty? (I like movies. And you?)

B: Nemám rád filmy, ale mám rád knihy. (I don’t like movies, but I like books.)

Exercise 9: Survey Your Peers

Create a short survey asking your classmates about their likes and dislikes. Share your findings with the class.

Example Questions:

• What is your favorite season?

• Do you like chocolate?

Exercise 10: Write a Paragraph

Write a short paragraph about your likes and dislikes using at least five phrases from the lesson.

Example Paragraph: (Your paragraph will vary)

Mám rád jídlo a hudbu. Nemám rád hmyz. Moje oblíbené město je Praha, protože je krásné. Líbí se mi číst knihy v parku.

This concludes our lesson on Small Talk and Expressing Likes and Dislikes. I hope you now feel more confident in your ability to engage in casual conversations in Czech. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases whenever you get the chance!

Table of Contents - Czech Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

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

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

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

  ---

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

  ---

Daily Life

• Shopping
• Transportation
• Health and Medical Emergencies

  ---

History and Traditions

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

  ---

Art and Heritage

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

Sources

• Talking About Likes and Dislikes in Czech - CzechClass101
• Basic Czech Phrases

Other Lessons

• Health and Medical Emergencies
• City
• Shopping
• Time
• Sports
• How to say Good Bye?
• Hotel
• Count to 10
• Ordinal Numbers in Czech
• Birthday

◀️ Asking for and Giving Information — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Ordering Food ▶️