Language/Czech/Vocabulary/Ordering-Food

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Czech → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Ordering Food

Welcome to this engaging lesson on ordering food in Czech! Food is not just sustenance; it's a delightful experience that brings people together. Whether you're traveling in the charming streets of Prague or enjoying a cozy dinner at a local restaurant, knowing how to navigate a menu in Czech can enhance your culinary adventures. This lesson will equip you with essential vocabulary and phrases to confidently order food and drinks while immersing yourself in Czech culture.

In this lesson, we'll explore:

• Key Czech vocabulary related to food and drinks

• Phrases for ordering at a restaurant

• Common menu items and their translations

• Practical exercises to reinforce your learning

So, grab a seat, and let’s dig in!

Czech Food Vocabulary

To kick off our lesson, let's familiarize ourselves with some common food and drink vocabulary in Czech. This will be the foundation for your ordering skills. Below is a table of essential words you'll often encounter on menus.

Czech	Pronunciation	English
jídlo	ˈjiːdlo	food
nápoj	ˈnaːpoj	drink
polévka	poˈlɛvfka	soup
salát	saˈlaːt	salad
hlavní jídlo	ˈhlaːvniː ˈjiːdlo	main dish
dezert	dɛˈzɛrt	dessert
maso	ˈmaso	meat
ryba	ˈrɪba	fish
zelenina	zɛlɛˈnɪna	vegetables
ovoce	ˈɔvɔt͡sɛ	fruit
chléb	xˈlɛːb	bread
víno	ˈviːno	wine
pivo	ˈpɪvo	beer
káva	ˈkaːva	coffee
čaj	t͡ʃaɪ	tea
cukr	ˈtsuːkər	sugar
sůl	suːl	salt
pepř	ˈpɛpʃ	pepper
máslo	ˈmaːslo	butter
mléko	ˈmlɛːko	milk

Basic Phrases for Ordering

Now that you have a grasp of the vocabulary, let's look at some basic phrases to help you order food and drinks in Czech. Here are some handy expressions to use when you’re at a restaurant:

Czech	Pronunciation	English
Měli bychom si objednat.	ˈmjɛlɪ ˈbɪxom si ɔˈbɛdnat	We should order.
Prosím menu.	ˈprosiːm ˈmɛnu	Please, the menu.
Co doporučujete?	tsɔ dɔpɔˈruːt͡ʃɛtɛ	What do you recommend?
Rád bych ...	raːd bɪx ...	I would like ...
Dám si ...	daːm si ...	I'll have ...
Můžu dostat ...?	ˈmuːʒu ˈdɔstat ...?	Can I get ...?
Kolik to stojí?	ˈkɔlɪk tɔ ˈstɔjiː?	How much does it cost?
Můžete mi přinést ...?	ˈmuːʒɛtɛ mi ˈpr̝ɪnɛst ...?	Can you bring me ...?
Děkuji.	ˈɟɛkuji	Thank you.
Můžu platit?	ˈmuːʒu ˈplatɪt?	Can I pay?

Common Menu Items

When you glance at a Czech menu, certain items may pop up frequently. Familiarizing yourself with these items will boost your confidence. Below is a list of common dishes along with their translations:

Czech	Pronunciation	English
svíčková	ˈsviːt͡ʃkovaː	marinated beef with cream sauce
gulas	ˈɡulaʃ	goulash
knedlíky	ˈknɛndlɪki	dumplings
řízek	ˈʒiːzɛk	breaded fried meat
trdelník	ˈtrdɛlɲiːk	chimney cake
bryndzové halušky	ˈbrɪndzovɛ ˈhaluʃki	potato dumplings with sheep cheese
pečená kachna	ˈpɛt͡ʃɛnaː ˈkaχna	roasted duck
utopenec	uˈtɔpɛnɛts	pickled sausage
moravský vrabec	moˈravskiː ˈvrabɛt͡s	Moravian sparrow (pork dish)
kulajda	kuˈlaɪda	creamy mushroom soup

Tips for Ordering

Here are some tips to keep in mind while ordering food in Czech:

• Be polite: Always use "prosím" (please) and "děkuji" (thank you) when interacting with waitstaff.

• Practice pronunciation: Czech can be tricky, so practicing the pronunciation of menu items can be very helpful.

• Ask questions: If you’re unsure about a dish, don’t hesitate to ask the waiter for more details.

• Be adventurous: Don't just stick to what you know. Try something new; Czech cuisine has a lot to offer!

Practice Exercises

Now, let's solidify what you've learned through some practice exercises! Each exercise is designed to help you apply your vocabulary and phrases in realistic scenarios.

Exercise 1: Translate the Menu Items

Translate the following food items from English to Czech:

1. Soup

2. Salad

3. Coffee

4. Fish

5. Dessert

Answers:

1. Polévka

2. Salát

3. Káva

4. Ryba

5. Dezert

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate Czech words from the vocabulary list:

1. Dám si _____ (salad).

2. Měli bychom si _____ (order).

3. Můžete mi _____ (bring) _____ (beer)?

Answers:

1. salát

2. objednat

3. přinést pivo

Exercise 3: Role Play Ordering Food

Pair up with a classmate and practice ordering food using the phrases provided. One person will be the waiter, and the other will be the customer. Use these prompts:

• Ask for the menu

• Order your main dish

• Ask for a drink

Example:

Customer: Prosím menu.

Waiter: Tady je menu. Co doporučujete?

Exercise 4: Menu Reading Comprehension

Given the following Czech menu items, match them with their English translations:

1. Svíčková

2. Gulas

3. Knedlíky

4. Řízek

5. Trdelník

Answers:

1. Marinated beef with cream sauce

2. Goulash

3. Dumplings

4. Breaded fried meat

5. Chimney cake

Exercise 5: Create Your Own Order

Write a short dialogue of you ordering food at a restaurant. Include at least five sentences using the vocabulary and phrases you've learned.

Example:

Customer: Prosím menu. Měli bychom si objednat. Dám si svíčkovou a pivo. Děkuji!

Exercise 6: Vocabulary Matching

Match the Czech words with their English meanings:

1. Víno

2. Mléko

3. Chléb

4. Sůl

5. Zelenina

Answers:

1. Wine

2. Milk

3. Bread

4. Salt

5. Vegetables

Exercise 7: Listening Exercise

Listen to a recording of a conversation at a restaurant (you can create a simple one) and answer the following questions:

1. What did the customer order?

2. How much does the meal cost?

Answers will vary based on the recording you create.

Exercise 8: Pronunciation Practice

Choose five Czech food items from the vocabulary list and practice pronouncing them. Record yourself and listen for clarity and accuracy.

Exercise 9: Cultural Comparison

Research a traditional Czech dish and compare it to a dish from your own culture. Write a short paragraph describing the similarities and differences.

Exercise 10: Ordering Scenarios

Imagine you are at a restaurant. Write down what you would order for each of the following scenarios:

1. A lunch with friends

2. A romantic dinner

3. A family gathering

Answers will vary based on personal preferences.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've taken your first steps towards confidently ordering food in Czech. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you engage with the language, the more fluent you will become. Challenge yourself to use these phrases and vocabulary in real-life situations, and don't shy away from trying new dishes. Czech cuisine is hearty and full of flavors waiting to be explored!

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

• Czech | Phrases - Travel | Eating Out
• Czech phrases with audio - restaurant, Czech meals, food and drink ...
• Czech Restaurant, Part 4: Placing an Order - CzechClass101
• Classes and schedule - Everydayczech

Other Lessons

• Asking for and Giving Information
• Useful phrases
• Maps
• Food
• Airport
• Fruits
• Animals
• Environment
• Colors
• Dining Etiquette

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Next Lesson — Asking for the Bill and Tipping ▶️