Bedeutung
Remaining silent.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'noční klid' (night quiet) is a legally enforced period from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Being 'ticho' during these hours is not just polite; it's the law. Czechs have a deep respect for the 'ticho' of the forest. Loud music or shouting while hiking is considered very disrespectful to nature and other hikers. In schools, a teacher might simply raise a hand or say 'Ticho!' to command immediate attention. It is a very common part of the classroom dynamic. During the 'Normalization' period (1970s-80s), 'být ticho' was a common social strategy to avoid political persecution. This has led to a cultural nuance where silence can sometimes mean 'I don't want to get involved'.
The 'Je' Trick
If you want to say 'It is quiet,' just say 'Je ticho.' You don't need a subject like 'it'.
Don't be too loud with 'Buď ticho!'
If you shout 'BUĎ TICHO!', you are being the opposite of quiet! Use a firm but low voice.
Bedeutung
Remaining silent.
The 'Je' Trick
If you want to say 'It is quiet,' just say 'Je ticho.' You don't need a subject like 'it'.
Don't be too loud with 'Buď ticho!'
If you shout 'BUĎ TICHO!', you are being the opposite of quiet! Use a firm but low voice.
Use 'Pst'
In Czech, 'Pst' is the universal sound for 'be quiet'. It works perfectly with 'Buď ticho'.
Respect the Klid
Czechs value their peace. If a neighbor asks you to be 'ticho', it's best to comply immediately to maintain good relations.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'být' in the imperative.
Děti, ______ ticho! Tatínek pracuje.
Since the speaker is addressing 'děti' (children, plural), the plural imperative 'buďte' is required.
Which sentence describes a person who is naturally shy and doesn't talk much?
Select the correct description:
The adjective 'tichý' describes a permanent personality trait, whereas 'ticho' describes a temporary state.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are in a library and someone is talking loudly on their phone.
This is the most polite and appropriate way to request silence in a public space.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Proč nic neříkáš? B: Chci jen chvíli ______.
The speaker wants to remain in a state of silence for a while.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ticho vs. Tichý
Synonyms for Quiet
Verbs
- • Mlčet
- • Zmlknout
- • Ztišit se
Nouns
- • Ticho
- • Klid
- • Bezhlučnost
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDěti, ______ ticho! Tatínek pracuje.
Since the speaker is addressing 'děti' (children, plural), the plural imperative 'buďte' is required.
Select the correct description:
The adjective 'tichý' describes a permanent personality trait, whereas 'ticho' describes a temporary state.
Situation: You are in a library and someone is talking loudly on their phone.
This is the most polite and appropriate way to request silence in a public space.
A: Proč nic neříkáš? B: Chci jen chvíli ______.
The speaker wants to remain in a state of silence for a while.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt depends on the tone. 'Buď ticho!' can be rude, but 'Prosím, buďte ticho' is perfectly polite.
'Ticho' is specifically the absence of sound. 'Klid' is a broader term for peace, quiet, and lack of movement.
No, that sounds like a literal translation from another language. Always use 'Buď ticho'.
The most common (but rude) way is 'Drž hubu!' or 'Sklapni!'.
Grammatically, it is a noun, but in the phrase 'být ticho', it functions as a predicate describing a state.
It refers to a situation where a couple is not speaking to each other because they are angry.
Use the plural imperative: 'Buďte ticho!'.
No, for a person's character, use 'být tichý'.
It is the legal quiet time from 10 PM to 6 AM in the Czech Republic.
You can say 'Buď ticho' or 'Zůstaň ticho'.
In the phrase 'být ticho', it stays in the nominative. As a standalone noun, it can change (e.g., 'v tichu').
Yes, 'být v klidu' can sometimes mean to stay quiet and not cause trouble.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mlčet
similarTo be silent / Not to speak
Zmlknout
builds onTo fall silent
Tichá domácnost
specialized formThe silent treatment at home
Klid
synonymPeace / Quiet / Calm
Pst!
similarShhh!
