A1 Collocation Neutral

Mluvit anglicky

Speak English

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The standard way to express your ability to communicate in the English language using the Czech adverbial form.

  • Means: To speak English (literally 'to speak English-ly')
  • Used in: Introductions, job interviews, and travel encounters
  • Don't confuse: Using the noun 'angličtina' instead of the adverb 'anglicky'
🗣️ + 🇬🇧 = 🤝

Explanation at your level:

At this level, you just need to know how to say you speak English or ask someone else. It's a simple 'Subject + Verb + Adverb' pattern. You use it to survive in a new country. It's one of the first ten things you learn.
You can now add modifiers like 'well' or 'a little'. You can also use the past tense to say you spoke English yesterday. You start to understand that 'anglicky' is an adverb and doesn't change like adjectives do.
You can discuss your language learning journey. You use 'mluvit anglicky' in more complex sentences, like 'I wish I could speak English better.' You begin to distinguish between 'mluvit' (to speak) and 'domluvit se' (to make oneself understood).
You use the phrase to discuss nuances of communication. You might talk about 'mluvit anglicky' in professional environments versus social ones. You are comfortable with all tenses and conditional moods (e.g., 'If I spoke English better, I would move to London').
You analyze the stylistic difference between 'mluvit' and 'hovořit'. You can discuss the sociolinguistic implications of English as a second language in the Czech Republic. You use the phrase in academic or highly technical discussions about linguistics.
You have a near-native grasp of the adverbial construction's history. You can play with the phrase, using it ironically or in complex literary metaphors. You understand the subtle phonological shifts that occur when 'mluvit' is followed by 'anglicky' in rapid speech.

Bedeutung

The ability to communicate in English.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Czechs are often modest about their English. If someone says they speak 'a little', they might actually be quite fluent. In Prague, 'mluvit anglicky' is almost a requirement for service staff. You will rarely find a waiter who doesn't speak it. In smaller villages, English is less common. Learning a few Czech phrases before asking 'Mluvíte anglicky?' is highly appreciated. Many international companies in Brno and Prague use English as their primary office language, even if most employees are Czech.

💡

The -y Rule

Almost all languages in Czech end in -y when used with 'mluvit' (německy, francouzsky, rusky).

⚠️

Don't say 'angličtinu'

This is the most common mistake. Remember: Verb + Adverb.

Bedeutung

The ability to communicate in English.

💡

The -y Rule

Almost all languages in Czech end in -y when used with 'mluvit' (německy, francouzsky, rusky).

⚠️

Don't say 'angličtinu'

This is the most common mistake. Remember: Verb + Adverb.

🎯

Use 'trochu'

Adding 'trochu' (a little) makes you sound more humble and natural to Czech ears.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mluvit'.

Já ______ anglicky.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: mluvím

The first person singular form of 'mluvit' is 'mluvím'.

Which sentence is correct?

How do you ask a stranger if they speak English?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Mluvíte anglicky?

'Mluvíte' is the polite/plural form used for strangers.

Match the Czech phrase with its English meaning.

Match the following:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: all

These are basic variations of the phrase.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Dobrý den. B: Dobrý den. A: ______ anglicky?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Mluvíte

The speaker is asking the other person (Vy form).

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

It is grammatically correct but sounds like you are translating directly from English. 'Mluvím anglicky' is much more natural.

'Hovořit' is more formal and used in official contexts. 'Mluvit' is the everyday word.

No, in Czech, adverbs and adjectives derived from countries are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

Use the adverb 'plynule': 'Mluvím plynule anglicky'.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

domluvit se

similar

to make oneself understood

🔗

umět anglicky

similar

to know English

🔗

učit se anglicky

builds on

to learn English

🔗

psát anglicky

specialized form

to write in English

🔗

rozumět anglicky

specialized form

to understand English

Wo du es verwendest

🏨

At a Hotel Reception

Traveler: Dobrý den, mluvíte anglicky?

Receptionist: Ano, mluvím. Jak vám mohu pomoci?

formal
💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: Mluvíte anglicky plynule?

Candidate: Ano, mluvím anglicky velmi dobře.

formal
🍻

Meeting a Friend's Friend

Friend A: To je můj kamarád z Londýna.

Friend B: Ahoj! Mluvíš anglicky, nebo se mám snažit česky?

informal
🗺️

Asking for Directions

Tourist: Promiňte, mluvíte anglicky? Hledám nádraží.

Local: Jen trochu. Jděte rovně.

neutral
📱

On a Dating App

User 1: Mluvíš anglicky? Chci si procvičit konverzaci.

User 2: Jasně, mluvím anglicky každý den v práci.

informal
🏫

In a Classroom

Teacher: Dnes budeme mluvit jen anglicky.

Student: To bude těžké!

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Mluvit' as 'Moving your lips' and 'Anglicky' as 'English-ly'.

Visual Association

Imagine a Czech lion wearing a top hat and holding a cup of tea, trying to say 'Hello' with a Czech accent.

Rhyme

Kdo chce v světě uspět, musí anglicky mluvit.

Story

A traveler arrives in Prague. He sees a bridge. He wants to know the way. He taps a local on the shoulder and says 'Mluvíte anglicky?'. The local smiles and says 'Yes!'. The bridge is crossed.

Word Web

mluvitanglickyangličtinajazykslovovětarozumětučit se

Herausforderung

Go to a Czech forum or social media page and find one person who says they 'mluví anglicky'.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Hablar inglés

Noun vs. Adverb usage.

French moderate

Parler anglais

Czech focuses on the 'manner' of speaking.

German moderate

Englisch sprechen

Word order and part of speech.

Japanese low

英語を話す (Eigo o hanasu)

Use of grammatical particles.

Arabic low

يتحدث الإنجليزية (Yatahadath al-ingliziya)

Articles vs. Adverbs.

Chinese moderate

说英语 (Shuō yīngyǔ)

Simplicity of Chinese vs. Adverbial Czech.

Korean low

영어를 하다 (Yeongeo-reul hada)

Verb choice ('do' vs 'speak').

Portuguese moderate

Falar inglês

Noun vs. Adverb.

Easily Confused

Mluvit anglicky vs. angličtina

Learners use the noun where the adverb is needed.

Use 'angličtina' for 'English is hard' and 'anglicky' for 'I speak English'.

Mluvit anglicky vs. anglický

Using the adjective instead of the adverb.

Adjectives describe things (English tea), adverbs describe actions (speak English).

FAQ (4)

It is grammatically correct but sounds like you are translating directly from English. 'Mluvím anglicky' is much more natural.

'Hovořit' is more formal and used in official contexts. 'Mluvit' is the everyday word.

No, in Czech, adverbs and adjectives derived from countries are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

Use the adverb 'plynule': 'Mluvím plynule anglicky'.

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