Czech pronunciation can be intimidating for non-native speakers. The language is packed with sounds that don’t exist in English, and even the alphabet has a few extra letters. But with the right approach, you can master it - without losing your sanity.
The Czech Alphabet: What’s Different?
Czech uses the Latin alphabet but adds several diacritics to modify letters. These marks change the pronunciation entirely. Here’s what you need to know:
- **Č, Š, Ž**: The háček (ˇ) turns these into the English 'ch', 'sh', and 'zh' sounds.
- **Ř**: The infamous Czech 'ř' - a rolled 'r' with a 'zh' sound mixed in. Even some natives struggle with this one.
- **Ň, Ď, Ť**: These palatal consonants sound like 'ny', 'dy', and 'ty' but softer.
Tricky Sounds and How to Tackle Them
Ř
/r̝/“N/A”
Ch
[ˈxaː]“N/A”
For 'ř', try placing the tip of your tongue where you would for an English 'r', then exhale sharply while vibrating your tongue. It’ll sound wrong at first - keep practising.
Stress and Vowel Length
Czech stress always falls on the first syllable of a word. Unlike English, there’s no secondary stress. Vowel length also matters:
- **Long vowels (á, é, í, ó, ú, ů)**: Hold them twice as long as short vowels.
- **Short vowels (a, e, i, o, u)**: Pronounced briefly, like in 'cat' or 'bet'.
Mixing up vowel length can change meanings. 'Pas' (short 'a') means 'belt', while 'pás' (long 'á') means 'strip'.
Practical Tips for Improvement
- Listen to native speakers. Czech radio, podcasts, or shows like Czech TV help train your ear.
- Record yourself. Compare your pronunciation to natives using tools like Forvo.
- Break words into syllables. Czech is phonetic, so once you know the sounds, you can read any word.
- Practise tongue twisters. Try 'Tři sta třicet tři stříbrných stříkaček' ('Three hundred thirty-three silver fire engines').
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Pronouncing 'c' as 'k' | Czech 'c' is like 'ts' in 'cats'. | 'Cena' is 'tsena', not 'kena'. |
| Ignoring vowel length | Changes word meaning. | 'Byt' (flat) vs. 'bít' (to beat). |
| Over-rolling 'r' | Czech 'r' is softer than Spanish 'rr'. | Think 'r' in 'very', not 'perro'. |
For more foundational vocabulary, check out our guide on 50 Foundational Estonian Vocabulary Words for Beginners - some principles apply across languages.
