Usage of Prepositions in Czech: A Practical Guide

Prepositions play a crucial role in determining the relationships between words in a sentence. Having a good understanding of prepositions is essential for effective communication in Czech. In this guide, we will cover the usage of prepositions and provide practical examples to help you use them correctly.

1. Prepositions with Verbs:

   • s (with): Use this preposition when expressing companionship or instrumental means. Example: Hovořím s přítelem. (I'm speaking with a friend.)
   • na (on, onto): Use this preposition to indicate location or direction. Example: Položte dárky na stůl. (Put the gifts on the table.)
   • u (at, by): Use this preposition to indicate proximity or presence. Example: Dětská hřiště jsou u parku. (The playgrounds are by the park.)
   • do (into): Use this preposition when expressing movement towards the inside of something. Example: Vložte peníze do obálky. (Put the money into the envelope.)
   • od (from): Use this preposition to indicate origin or separation. Example: Dostal jsem dárek od babičky. (I received a gift from my grandmother.)

2. Prepositions with Nouns:

   • v (in): Use this preposition to express location or inclusion within something. Example: Knihy jsou uloženy v knihovně. (The books are stored in the library.)
   • pod (under): Use this preposition to indicate position below something. Example: Kocour spí pod postelí. (The cat is sleeping under the bed.)
   • za (behind): Use this preposition to express a position located at the back of something. Example: Parkoviště je za budovou. (The parking lot is behind the building.)
   • před (in front of): Use this preposition to indicate a position located ahead of something. Example: Stůl je před oknem. (The table is in front of the window.)
   • mezi (between): Use this preposition to express a position or location between two objects. Example: Sedím mezi kamarády. (I'm sitting between friends.)

3. Prepositions with Adjectives:

   • pro (for): Use this preposition to express a purpose or intended recipient. Example: Cvičím pro zdraví. (I exercise for my health.)
   • kvůli (because of): Use this preposition to indicate a cause or reason. Example: Byl zavřen kvůli opravě. (It was closed due to maintenance.)
   • bez (without): Use this preposition to express the absence of something. Example: Vylezl ven bez deštníku. (He went out without an umbrella.)
   • kromě (except, besides): Use this preposition to indicate an exception or addition. Example: Všichni se usmívali, kromě něj. (Everyone was smiling, except him.)
   • díky (thanks to): Use this preposition to express gratitude or the cause of something positive. Example: Úspěch byl dosažen díky tvrdé práci. (Success was achieved thanks to hard work.)

Remember, the usage of prepositions can sometimes vary depending on the context, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with common expressions and practice using prepositions in different scenarios. With time and practice, you'll gradually become more confident in using prepositions correctly in your day-to-day interactions in Czech.