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Stress (Přízvuk)

Stress in Czech is very regular, which makes it easier to learn than languages like English or Russian where stress is unpredictable.

The Golden Rule​

In Czech, the main stress is always on the first syllable of the word.

  • Praha (PRA-ha)
  • republika (RE-pub-li-ka)
  • nerozumím (NE-ro-zu-mím)

Prepositions​

Monosyllabic prepositions (prepositions with one syllable) often "steal" the stress from the following noun. They form a single phonetic unit with the noun.

  • na stole (on the table) → pronounced as nastole
  • do Prahy (to Prague) → pronounced as doprahy
  • ve škole (in school) → pronounced as veškole

This creates a distinctive rhythm in spoken Czech.

Secondary Stress​

In very long words, there may be a secondary stress on the third or fifth syllable, but it is much weaker than the primary stress on the first syllable. It is not critical for being understood.

  • nejneobhospodařovávanějšími (the most uncultivatable ones) - a famous long word example!

Vowel Length vs. Stress​

It is crucial to distinguish between stress (loudness/emphasis) and length (duration).

  • In English, stressed syllables are often longer.
  • In Czech, they are independent. A syllable can be unstressed but long.

Example: babička (grandmother)

  • Stress: 1st syllable (ba)
  • Length: All short.
  • Pronunciation: BA-bich-ka

Example: prodává (he sells)

  • Stress: 1st syllable (pro)
  • Length: 2nd and 3rd syllables are long (dá, vá).
  • Pronunciation: PRO-daa-vaa