Language/Czech/Grammar/Dative-Case-in-Czech

Dative Case in Czech

How to use the Dative Case in Czech

The dative case is one of the six cases in the Czech language. It is used to indicate the indirect object of a sentence, as well as the recipient of an action. Here's what you need to know about using the dative case in Czech:

Indirect object

In Czech, the dative case is used to indicate the indirect object of a sentence. The indirect object is usually the person or thing that receives the direct object. For example:

• Daruji peníze synovi. (I am giving money to my son.) - The dative form of "syn" (son) is "synovi" to indicate that he is the recipient of the money.

Recipient

The dative case is also used to indicate the recipient of an action. This is often used with verbs like "dát" (give), "pomoci" (help), and "odeslat" (send). For example:

• Poslal jsem dopis své babičce. (I sent a letter to my grandmother.) - The dative form of "babička" (grandmother) is "babičce" to indicate that she is the recipient of the letter.

Prepositions

Certain prepositions in Czech take the dative case. These include "k" (to), "ke" (to/towards), "do" (into), and "pro" (for). For example:

• Jdu do kina. (I am going to the cinema.) - The dative form of "kino" (cinema) is "kinu" to indicate motion towards the cinema.

Adjectives

Some adjectives in Czech take the dative case when used to describe the noun they modify. These include adjectives like "pomocný" (helpful) and "blízký" (close). For example:

• Dávám peníze pomoci chudým lidem. (I am giving money to help poor people.) - The dative form of "lidé" (people) is "lidem" to indicate that they are the recipients of the help.

Remember that the dative case in Czech must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. With these rules and some practice, you'll be able to use the dative case in Czech with ease!

Exampoles: HRAD (CASTLE)

Singular

I GO TO THE CASTLE          

JÁ  JDU K HRADU                    

Plural

WE GO TO THE CASTLES

MY JDEME K HRADŮM

ŠKOLA / SCHOOL / ESCOLA

Singular

I GO TO THE SCHOOL       

JÁ JDU K ŠKOLĚ                   

Plural

WE GO TO THE SCHOOLS

MY JDEME K ŠKOLÁM

AUTO / CAR / CARRO

Singular

I GO TO THE CAR                    

JÁ JDU K AUTU                        

Plural

WE GO TO THE CARS

MY JDEME K AUTŮM