Bedeutung
Stating lack of availability.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Czech culture, being 'busy' isn't always a badge of honor like in the US. It's often seen as a lack of organization or a simple fact of life. However, 'Nemám čas' is a very acceptable and direct way to say no. In Prague, 'Nemám čas' is heard constantly. In smaller Moravian villages, saying you don't have time for a neighbor might be seen as slightly cold, as social ties are tighter. Czechs value their free time (volný čas). 'Nemám čas' is frequently used at the end of the workday to signal that work-time is over and personal-time has begun. Students often use 'Nestíhám' during exam season (zkouškové období), which is a more stressed version of 'Nemám čas'.
Add 'Bohužel'
Always add 'Bohužel' (unfortunately) if you want to sound polite when saying you don't have time.
Watch your tone
Saying 'Nemám čas!' too loudly or quickly can sound like you are angry at the person asking.
Bedeutung
Stating lack of availability.
Add 'Bohužel'
Always add 'Bohužel' (unfortunately) if you want to sound polite when saying you don't have time.
Watch your tone
Saying 'Nemám čas!' too loudly or quickly can sound like you are angry at the person asking.
Use 'Nestíhám' for stress
If you are literally running to a meeting, 'Nestíhám!' is more natural than 'Nemám čas!'
The 'Chata' Excuse
If a Czech says they don't have time because they are going to their 'chata' (cottage), don't try to convince them otherwise. Cottage time is sacred.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mít' in the negative.
Já dnes _______ čas.
The subject is 'Já' (I), so the verb must be 'nemám'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to decline an invitation?
Chceš jít do kina?
'Bohužel' (unfortunately) adds a layer of politeness.
Match the Czech phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs.
These are the basic tense variations of the phrase.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are running to catch a bus and someone stops you.
This is the standard way to dismiss someone when you are in a hurry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJá dnes _______ čas.
The subject is 'Já' (I), so the verb must be 'nemám'.
Chceš jít do kina?
'Bohužel' (unfortunately) adds a layer of politeness.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the basic tense variations of the phrase.
You are running to catch a bus and someone stops you.
This is the standard way to dismiss someone when you are in a hurry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot inherently. It's a neutral statement of fact. However, adding 'promiň' (sorry) or 'bohužel' (unfortunately) makes it much softer.
You say 'Mám dost času' or 'Mám spoustu času'.
Yes, but in a formal email, it's better to say 'Z časových důvodů se nemohu zúčastnit' (Due to time reasons I cannot participate).
'Čas' is time in general. 'Hodina' is a specific hour (60 minutes) or a lesson.
The 'na to' means 'for it'. It's used when referring to a specific task previously mentioned.
It's risky. Better to say 'Teď pracuji na něčem jiném, můžeme to probrat později?'
Young people might say 'Nedávám to' (I'm not giving/handling it) to mean they are too busy/stressed.
Simply 'Máš čas?' (informal) or 'Máte čas?' (formal).
It means 'I have no time to spare' or 'I'm on a very tight schedule'.
No, that sounds like a literal translation from English. Use 'Nemám na tebe čas'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Nestíhám
similarI'm not making it / I'm running late
Mám napilno
synonymI am busy / I have my hands full
Ztrácet čas
builds onTo waste time
Mít volno
contrastTo have free time / To be off work
Včas
relatedOn time
