Bedeutung
Expressing that one feels cold.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The fear of 'průvan' (draft) is a significant cultural trait. Saying 'Je mi zima' is often a social cue for someone to close a window, even if the room feels warm to others. Slovak uses the exact same construction ('Je mi zima'), reflecting the shared linguistic and cultural history of the two nations. In many Central European cultures, admitting you are cold is seen as a practical observation rather than a complaint, often leading to the immediate offering of tea or spirits (like Slivovitz). With the rise of energy prices, 'Je mi zima' has become a common humorous complaint about 'otužování v obýváku' (hardening oneself in the living room).
The 'Mi' Rule
Always use the short form 'mi'. Using the long form 'mně' (Je mně zima) is grammatically possible but sounds very regional or archaic.
Avoid 'Jsem'
Never say 'Jsem zima'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers and sounds very strange to Czechs.
Bedeutung
Expressing that one feels cold.
The 'Mi' Rule
Always use the short form 'mi'. Using the long form 'mně' (Je mně zima) is grammatically possible but sounds very regional or archaic.
Avoid 'Jsem'
Never say 'Jsem zima'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers and sounds very strange to Czechs.
The Window Etiquette
If you say 'Je mi zima' in a room with an open window, it is considered a polite request for someone to close it.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct dative pronoun for 'me'.
Je ___ zima.
The phrase 'Je mi zima' always uses the short dative form 'mi'.
Which sentence is correct for 'I was cold'?
Select the correct past tense form:
The verb 'být' must be in the neutral 3rd person singular 'bylo' because the subject is impersonal.
Complete the dialogue.
Petr: 'Venku mrzne.' Jana: 'Fakt? Tak to ___ bude zima.'
Jana is speaking for both of them (we), so the dative 'nám' is required.
Match the phrase to the intensity.
Which phrase expresses the strongest cold?
'Mrznu' (I am freezing) is the most intense expression of cold.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Intensity of Cold
Mild
- • Je mi chladno
Standard
- • Je mi zima
Extreme
- • Mrznu
- • Je mi kosa
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJe ___ zima.
The phrase 'Je mi zima' always uses the short dative form 'mi'.
Select the correct past tense form:
The verb 'být' must be in the neutral 3rd person singular 'bylo' because the subject is impersonal.
Petr: 'Venku mrzne.' Jana: 'Fakt? Tak to ___ bude zima.'
Jana is speaking for both of them (we), so the dative 'nám' is required.
Which phrase expresses the strongest cold?
'Mrznu' (I am freezing) is the most intense expression of cold.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, 'Mám zimu' is not used for feeling cold. Use 'Je mi zima'.
Use an adverb: 'Je mi hrozná zima' or 'Je mi velká zima'.
'Zima' is colder. 'Chladno' is just chilly.
It is neutral. You can use it in any situation.
Use the formal 'vám': 'Je vám zima?'
No, for objects use 'studený'. 'Pivo je studené'.
As a noun, yes. In this phrase, it describes the state of coldness.
You can say 'Je mi zima na ruce'.
Yes, 'Je mi kosa' is very common among young people.
Because the phrase requires the dative case, and 'mi' is the short dative form of 'já'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Je mi horko
contrastI am hot
Je mi chladno
similarI am chilly
Mám zimnici
specialized formI have the chills/shivers
Zábnout
specialized formTo feel stinging cold in extremities
