Vowels (Samohlásky)
Czech vowels are clear and distinct. They are never reduced to a "schwa" sound (like the a in English about) regardless of stress.
Short and Long Vowels
Every vowel in Czech has a short and a long version. The length is indicated by a diacritic mark called čárka (acute accent) or kroužek (ring).
| Short | Long | Pronunciation Note |
|---|---|---|
| a | á | Like a in father, but longer. |
| e | é | Like ai in air. |
| i / y | í / ý | Like ee in feet. |
| o | ó | Like aw in law. |
| u | ú / ů | Like oo in moon. |
The Importance of Length
Vowel length can change the meaning of a word completely.
- dal (he gave) vs. dál (further)
- pas (passport/waist) vs. pás (belt)
- byt (apartment) vs. být (to be)
The Two "U"s: Ú vs. Ů
You will notice there are two ways to write long u: ú and ů. They are pronounced exactly the same.
- Ú (with čárka): Used at the beginning of words.
- úkol (task), únor (February), úspěch (success).
- Ů (with kroužek): Used in the middle or end of words.
- dům (house), stůl (table), dolů (down).
Exception: Compound words (trojúhelník - triangle) and some loanwords (skútr - scooter).
The Y/I Mystery
Czech has two letters for the "i" sound: i (soft i) and y (hard y).
- Pronunciation: In modern standard Czech, they are pronounced identically.
- Function: They indicate the "hardness" or "softness" of the preceding consonant.
- di, ti, ni: Pronounced softly as ďi, ťi, ňi.
- dy, ty, ny: Pronounced hard, exactly as written.
Diphthongs (Dvojhlásky)
A diphthong is a combination of two vowels in a single syllable.
- ou: Pronounced like ow in low (but not cow). Very common.
- mouka (flour), louka (meadow).
- au: Pronounced like ow in cow. Mostly in loanwords and interjections.
- auto (car), au! (ouch!).
- eu: Pronounced as e + u. Mostly in loanwords.
- euro, pneumatika.