Demonstratives: Master demonstratives to distinguish between items close to or distant from the speaker

In this lesson, we will learn how to use demonstratives in Czech to distinguish between items that are close to or distant from the speaker. Demonstratives are words that point to or indicate specific people, places, or things.

1. Basic Demonstratives

In Czech, basic demonstratives are used to indicate proximity. They can be roughly translated as "this" and "that" in English. Here are the basic demonstratives in Czech:

• ten (masculine singular)
• ta (feminine singular)
• to (neuter singular)
• tito (masculine plural)
• tahle/tato (feminine singular)
• tuhle/tuto (neuter singular)
• ti (masculine plural)
• tyhle/tyto (feminine plural)

2. Usage of Basic Demonstratives

2.1. Demonstratives for Singular Items

To use basic demonstratives for singular items, follow these guidelines:

• Use ten for masculine singular nouns that are close to the speaker.
• Use ta for feminine singular nouns that are close to the speaker.
• Use to for neuter singular nouns that are close to the speaker.

Example:

• ten dům (this house)
• ta kniha (this book)
• to auto (this car)

To indicate singular items that are distant or further away from the speaker, we use the same basic demonstratives, but with the prefix támhle:

• támhle ten (that house over there)
• támhle ta (that book over there)
• támhle to (that car over there)

2.2. Demonstratives for Plural Items

The rules for using basic demonstratives with plural items are similar:

• Use tito for masculine plural nouns that are close to the speaker.
• Use tyhle/tyto for feminine plural nouns that are close to the speaker.

Example:

• tito lidé (these people)
• tyhle/tyto ženy (these women)

To indicate plural items that are distant or further away from the speaker, we use the same basic demonstratives, but with the prefix támhle:

• támhle ti (those men over there)
• támhle tyhle/tyto (those women over there)

3. Exceptions and Special Cases

3.1. Demonstratives after Prepositions

When using demonstratives after prepositions, the form of the demonstratives changes:

• ty se mnou (you with me)
• ta s ním (that with him)
• toto o mně (this about me)

Note that the masculine singular form of the demonstrative becomes ten, not tento, after prepositions.

3.2. Demonstratives as Pronouns

In addition to functioning as adjectives, demonstratives can also act as pronouns. In these cases, they stand alone to represent a specific item:

• To je můj dům. (That is my house.)
• Ty byliny jsou mé. (Those herbs are mine.)

Conclusion

By mastering demonstratives in Czech, you will be able to effectively distinguish between items close to or distant from the speaker. Remember to pay attention to gender and number when using basic demonstratives, and be aware of exceptions and special cases. Practice using demonstratives in various contexts to reinforce your understanding.