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Passive Voice (Trpný rod)

Czech has two ways to form the passive voice: Reflexive and Periphrastic (using být).

Visual Overview​

Passive Voice Cheatsheet

1. Reflexive Passive (Zvratné pasivum)​

Formed with the reflexive particle se. It is very common for general statements or processes where the agent is unknown or irrelevant.

  • Structure: Verb (3rd person) + se.
  • Tady se mluví česky. (Czech is spoken here.)
  • To se nedělá. (That isn't done.)
  • Obchod se otevírá v 8:00. (The shop opens at 8:00.)

2. Periphrastic Passive (Opisné pasivum)​

Formed with the verb být (to be) + Passive Participle. Used when we want to emphasize the state or result, or when there is a specific agent.

  • Structure: Být + Participle (ends in -n, -na, -no or -t, -ta, -to).
  • Kniha byla napsána Karlem Čapkem. (The book was written by Karel Čapek.)
  • Okno je rozbito. (The window is broken.)
  • Město bylo založeno ve 14. století. (The city was founded in the 14th century.)

Forming the Participle​

Usually replace the infinitive ending -t with -n (plus gender endings).

  • napsat → napsán (M), napsána (F), napsáno (N).
  • zavřít → zavřen (M), zavřena (F), zavřeno (N).