A1 Expression خنثی

Prosím

Please / You're welcome

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Prosím is the essential 'Swiss Army knife' of Czech politeness, used for 'please', 'you're welcome', and 'pardon'.

  • Means: Please, you're welcome, or pardon? depending on context.
  • Used in: Ordering food, responding to thanks, or answering the phone.
  • Don't confuse: With 'Děkuji' (Thank you)—they are the two halves of a conversation.
Request + ☕ = Prosím | Thank you + 🤝 = Prosím

Explanation at your level:

At this level, 'prosím' is your most important tool. Use it whenever you want something or when someone says 'thank you'. It is a simple, one-word way to be polite. Just remember to say it at the end of your sentences when ordering food or drinks.
You can now start using variations. Use 'Prosím vás' when talking to strangers and 'Prosímtě' with your friends. You should also use 'Prosím?' with a rising voice if you don't understand what someone said. This helps keep the conversation going even when you are confused.
At the intermediate level, you should recognize 'prosím' as a way to hand someone an object ('Prosím, tady je ten dokument'). You should also start using it to introduce a polite request in a more complex sentence, such as 'Prosím vás, mohl byste mi říct...', which sounds much more natural than just asking a direct question.
You should now master the nuances of 'prosím' as a discourse marker. It can be used to signal a transition in conversation or to gently interrupt someone. You will also notice it in formal announcements (e.g., on a train), where it functions as a polite imperative. Your intonation should now clearly distinguish between a request, a response, and a question.
Advanced learners should analyze 'prosím' through the lens of pragmatics. It often functions as a 'face-saving' device in Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory, mitigating the potential threat of a request. You should be able to use 'No prosím' to express irony or surprise and understand the subtle social cues when a speaker omits 'prosím' to signal impatience or authority.
At this level of mastery, you understand 'prosím' as a performative verb that establishes a specific social contract between speakers. You can manipulate its prosody to convey a wide range of emotions—from genuine subservience to biting sarcasm or weary resignation. You are also familiar with its historical development from the verb 'prosit' and its role in the 19th-century codification of the modern Czech literary language.

معنی

Polite word used for requests or responses.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

Saying 'prosím' when entering a small shop is expected. It's not just about the word, but acknowledging the social space. In Moravia, people might use 'Prosím pěkně' (Please nicely), which sounds more traditional and warm than the standard Prague 'Prosím'. In emails, 'Prosím' is often used to soften instructions. A sentence without it can sound like a harsh command. Older Czechs place a very high value on 'Prosím vás'. Using the informal 'Prosímtě' with an elder you don't know is a significant social faux pas.

🎯

The 'Prosím' Rule

If in doubt, just say 'Prosím'. It is almost never wrong and always makes you look better.

⚠️

Intonation Matters

A flat 'Prosím' sounds like a robot. A rising 'Prosím?' is a question. A falling 'Prosím.' is a response.

معنی

Polite word used for requests or responses.

🎯

The 'Prosím' Rule

If in doubt, just say 'Prosím'. It is almost never wrong and always makes you look better.

⚠️

Intonation Matters

A flat 'Prosím' sounds like a robot. A rising 'Prosím?' is a question. A falling 'Prosím.' is a response.

💬

Phone Etiquette

Always answer the phone with 'Prosím?'. It's the most neutral and polite way to start.

خودت رو بسنج

Someone says 'Děkuji' to you. What is the most natural response?

Děkuji za kávu!

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Prosím

'Prosím' is the standard response to 'Děkuji'.

Fill in the correct form of 'prosím' for a formal situation.

______ vás, kde je tady banka?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Prosím

'Prosím vás' is the formal way to address a stranger.

Match the intonation/context of 'Prosím' to its meaning.

1. Prosím? (Rising tone) | 2. Prosím. (Handing a gift) | 3. Pivo, prosím. (Ordering)

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A

Intonation and physical context change the meaning of the word.

Complete the dialogue in a restaurant.

Waiter: Dobrý den, co si dáte? Customer: Jednu polévku, ______. Waiter: ______, tady je polévka. Customer: Děkuji. Waiter: ______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: prosím

In this context, all three blanks are filled by 'prosím'.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

The 4 Faces of Prosím

🙏

Request

  • • Pivo, prosím.
  • • Pomoc, prosím.
🤝

Response

  • • Děkuji. - Prosím.
  • • Díky. - Prosím.
❓

Question

  • • Prosím?
  • • Prosím, ještě jednou?
🎁

Offering

  • • Prosím, tady to je.
  • • Prosím, račte dál.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Only if you are trying to get someone's attention to ask a question. If you are trying to pass through a crowd, use 'S dovolením'.

The word itself is neutral. 'Prosím vás' is formal, and 'Prosímtě' is informal.

Because it means 'You're welcome'. It's the standard response.

Yes, especially when offering something: 'Prosím, tady je vaše místo.'

Yes, it's very common and polite. It's better than saying 'Co?' (What?), which is rude.

It's an idiom meaning 'Well, there you go!' or 'Look at that!', usually expressing surprise.

Yes, etymologically it comes from the same root as 'to pray'.

You still use 'Prosím vás', as 'vás' is the plural/formal 'you'.

Yes, very often to make requests sound more professional.

Yes, if said with a heavy, sighing tone, it can mean 'Oh, please, not again'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

Děkuji

contrast

Thank you

🔄

Není zač

synonym

Don't mention it

🔗

Promiňte

similar

Excuse me / Sorry

🔗

Rádo se stalo

builds on

It was a pleasure

🔗

Prosba

specialized form

A request/favor

کجا استفاده کنیم

☕

At a Cafe

Customer: Jedno espresso, prosím.

Waiter: Prosím, tady je vaše káva.

Customer: Děkuji.

Waiter: Prosím.

neutral
📱

Answering the Phone

Receiver: Prosím?

Caller: Dobrý den, tady je Petr...

neutral
🗺️

Asking for Directions

Tourist: Prosím vás, kde je Karlův most?

Local: To je rovně a pak doleva.

formal
📄

Handing over a Document

Employee: Prosím, tady je ta smlouva.

Boss: Děkuji vám.

formal
👂

Not Hearing Someone

Friend: Zítra jdeme do kina.

You: Prosím?

Friend: Říkám, že zítra jdeme do kina.

neutral
🥗

At the Dinner Table

You: Prosímtě, podej mi ten chleba.

Friend: Tady je. Prosím.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pro' who 'Seems' very polite. A 'Pro-Seem' always says please.

Visual Association

Imagine a waiter in a tuxedo holding a silver tray with a single, perfect cup of coffee. As he lowers it to the table, he bows slightly and says 'Prosím'.

Rhyme

When you want a drink or a beam, don't forget to say Prosím!

Story

You are in a quiet Prague library. You need a book on a high shelf. You tap a librarian on the shoulder and say 'Prosím vás'. She smiles, hands you the book, and you say 'Děkuji'. She nods and says 'Prosím'. The word is the bridge that gets you the book and finishes the task.

Word Web

prositděkujiprosbapoprositprosímtěprosím vásnení zač

چالش

Go to a local shop or cafe and use 'Prosím' at least three times in one transaction: once when ordering, once when handed your item, and once after you say thank you.

In Other Languages

German high

Bitte

There is almost no difference in usage.

English partial

Please / You're welcome

English 'please' cannot be used to mean 'you're welcome'.

Spanish low

Por favor / De nada

Spanish requires specific phrases for each social function.

French low

S'il vous plaît / De rien

French lacks a single multi-purpose word like 'prosím'.

Japanese low

Onegaishimasu / Douitashimashite

Japanese has many levels of politeness that 'prosím' covers in one word.

Arabic partial

Min fadlak / Afwan

Arabic splits the 'please' and 'you're welcome' functions.

Chinese low

Qǐng / Bù kèqì

Chinese 'Qǐng' is a verb of invitation/request only.

Korean low

Jebal / Cheonman-eyo

Korean uses entirely different verbs for requesting vs. responding.

Easily Confused

Prosím در مقابل Prosím vs. Pardon

Learners use 'Prosím' to apologize for physical accidents.

Use 'Pardon' for accidents and 'Prosím' for words.

Prosím در مقابل Prosím vs. Ano

When answering the phone, some say 'Ano?' (Yes?).

'Prosím?' is more polite and standard for phone calls.

سوالات متداول (10)

Only if you are trying to get someone's attention to ask a question. If you are trying to pass through a crowd, use 'S dovolením'.

The word itself is neutral. 'Prosím vás' is formal, and 'Prosímtě' is informal.

Because it means 'You're welcome'. It's the standard response.

Yes, especially when offering something: 'Prosím, tady je vaše místo.'

Yes, it's very common and polite. It's better than saying 'Co?' (What?), which is rude.

It's an idiom meaning 'Well, there you go!' or 'Look at that!', usually expressing surprise.

Yes, etymologically it comes from the same root as 'to pray'.

You still use 'Prosím vás', as 'vás' is the plural/formal 'you'.

Yes, very often to make requests sound more professional.

Yes, if said with a heavy, sighing tone, it can mean 'Oh, please, not again'.

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