Language/Czech/Grammar/Instrumental-Case-in-Czech

Czech Grammar - Instrumental Case

Hi Czech learners! 😊
In today's lesson, we will be exploring the Instrumental Case in Czech grammar. The Instrumental Case is one of the seven cases in Czech and is used to indicate the means or instrument by which an action is carried out.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Czech Grammar: Learn Demonstrative Pronouns, Conditional Mood, Introduction to Nouns & Nouns.

What is the Instrumental Case?

The Instrumental Case is used to indicate the means or instrument by which an action is carried out. In English, we use phrases like "by means of," "with," or "using" to express the same idea. In Czech, the Instrumental Case is formed by adding specific endings to nouns and adjectives.

When is the Instrumental Case used?

The Instrumental Case is used in the following situations:

• To indicate the means or instrument by which an action is carried out.
• In certain fixed expressions and idioms.

How to Form the Instrumental Case

The Instrumental Case is formed by adding specific endings to nouns and adjectives. The endings differ depending on the gender and number of the noun or adjective.

Here are the general rules:

Masculine Nouns

To form the Instrumental Case of masculine nouns, add the following endings to the nominative form of the noun:

• Singular: -em
• Plural: -y

Here are some examples:

• Pero (pen) → S perem (with a pen)
• Člověk (man) → S člověkem (with a man)

Feminine Nouns

To form the Instrumental Case of feminine nouns, add the following endings to the nominative form of the noun:

• Singular: -ou
• Plural: -ami

Here are some examples:

• Ruka (hand) → S rukou (with a hand)
• Žena (woman) → S ženami (with women)

Neuter Nouns

To form the Instrumental Case of neuter nouns, add the following endings to the nominative form of the noun:

• Singular: -em
• Plural: -y

Here are some examples:

• Auto (car) → S autem (with a car)
• Město (city) → S městem (with a city)

Adjectives

To form the Instrumental Case of adjectives, add the following endings to the nominative form of the adjective:

• Singular: -ým
• Plural: -ými

Here are some examples:

• Zdravý (healthy) → S zdravým (with a healthy person)
• Starý (old) → S starými (with old people)

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the general rules for forming the Instrumental Case:

• Masculine animate nouns ending in a consonant, -ec, -an, -ín, or -tel take the ending -em instead of -om in the singular.
• Feminine nouns ending in -e or -ě take the ending -í instead of -ou in the singular.
• Neuter nouns ending in -í, -ý, or -ě take the ending -ím instead of -em in the singular.

Conclusion

The Instrumental Case is an essential part of Czech grammar that helps us express the means or instrument by which an action is carried out. By mastering the rules for forming the Instrumental Case, you will be able to speak and write more accurately and effectively in Czech.

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If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
Feel free to edit this wiki

Examples

MASCULINE

CASTLE	HRAD
SINGULAR	PLURAL
PES JE PŘED HRADEM	PSI JSOU PŘED HRADY
DOG IS IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE	DOGS  ARE IN FRONT OF THE CASTLES

FEMININE

SCHOOL	ŠKOLA
SINGULAR	PLURAL
PTÁK JE NAD ŠKOLOU	PTÁCI JSOU NAD ŠKOLAMI
BIRD IS OVER THE SCHOOL	BIRDS ARE OVER THE SCHOOLS

NEUTER

CITY	MĚSTO
SINGULAR	PLURAL
PES JE ZA HRADEM	PSI JSOU ZA HRADY
DOG IS BEHIND THE CASTLE	DOGS ARE BEHIND THE CASTLES

Conclusion

The Instrumental Case is an essential part of Czech grammar that helps us express the means or instrument by which an action is carried out. By mastering the rules for forming the Instrumental Case, you will be able to speak and write more accurately and effectively in Czech.

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If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
Feel free to edit this wiki page!

Other Lessons

• Present Continuous in Czech
• Verb to speak in Czech
• Nouns
• Possessive Case in Czech
• Dative Case in Czech
• Definite articles in Czech
• Negation
• Nominative Case in Czech
• Modal Verb (Must) in Czech
• Pronouns