Signification
Indicating that things are going reasonably well.
Contexte culturel
The 'Czech Shrug': Using 'docela dobře' is often accompanied by a slight, modest shrug. It signals that you are not bragging. In eastern parts of the country, you might hear 'celkem' more frequently than 'docela', though both are understood perfectly. Expats often over-use 'velmi dobře' because it's the first thing in textbooks, but switching to 'docela dobře' is a key milestone in sounding like a local. In Czech business, 'docela dobře' is a sign of steady, reliable progress. It is preferred over 'amazing' results which might seem unrealistic.
The 'Czech' Way
If you want to sound like you've lived in Prague for years, use 'docela dobře' even when you're actually having a great day. It's the ultimate local camouflage.
Don't over-intensify
Avoid saying 'velmi docela dobře'. It's a common error that sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Signification
Indicating that things are going reasonably well.
The 'Czech' Way
If you want to sound like you've lived in Prague for years, use 'docela dobře' even when you're actually having a great day. It's the ultimate local camouflage.
Don't over-intensify
Avoid saying 'velmi docela dobře'. It's a common error that sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Modesty is Key
In Czech culture, 'docela dobře' is often a higher compliment than it sounds. If a Czech boss says your work is 'docela dobré', you're doing a great job!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I am doing quite well.'
Mám se ______ dobře.
'Docela' is the correct modifier for 'quite'.
Which of these is a natural response to 'Jak se máš?'
Jak se máš?
It's the most common and grammatically correct short response.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: Jak ti jde čeština? B: _________.
When talking about an activity (like learning Czech), we use 'Jde to' (It goes).
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You liked a movie, but it wasn't the best you've ever seen.
'Docela dobré' (adjective form) expresses that something was quite good/satisfactory.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
The Spectrum of Czech Wellness
Negative
- • špatně
- • blbě
- • hrozně
Neutral
- • ujde to
- • nic moc
- • normálně
Positive
- • docela dobře
- • fajn
- • dobře
Very Positive
- • skvěle
- • výborně
- • úžasně
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMám se ______ dobře.
'Docela' is the correct modifier for 'quite'.
Jak se máš?
It's the most common and grammatically correct short response.
A: Jak ti jde čeština? B: _________.
When talking about an activity (like learning Czech), we use 'Jde to' (It goes).
Situation: You liked a movie, but it wasn't the best you've ever seen.
'Docela dobré' (adjective form) expresses that something was quite good/satisfactory.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in almost any situation, from a casual chat with friends to a meeting with your boss.
Yes, as a short answer to 'Jak se máš?', but it sounds a bit clipped. 'Docela dobře' is more polite.
They are almost identical. 'Docela' is slightly more common in Bohemia (Prague), while 'celkem' is very common in Moravia (Brno).
No. 'Dobře' is an adverb, and adverbs never change their form based on gender.
You would say 'moc ne' or 'nic moc'. 'Docela' is almost always used for positive or neutral-positive states.
For objects, use the adjective form: 'To je docela dobré pivo' (That is a quite good beer).
Yes, 'docela dobře' is slightly more positive than 'ujde to', which means 'it's okay/passable'.
You can say someone is 'docela dobrý' (a quite good person/player), but 'docela dobře' only describes their actions or state.
It fits the cultural value of modesty and avoiding exaggeration.
Try to say 'r' and 'zh' (like the 's' in pleasure) at the same time. It takes practice!
Expressions liées
ujde to
similarit's okay / it passes
vcelku dobře
synonymon the whole well
dost dobře
builds onquite well / very well
špatně
contrastbadly
docela fajn
similarquite fine
