Signification
Stating one is unwell
Contexte culturel
Czechs often use 'marodit' to describe the act of being on official sick leave. It implies you are following a doctor's orders. The 'neschopenka' is a digital document sent by your doctor directly to your employer and the social security office. Slivovice (plum brandy) is sometimes jokingly (or seriously) suggested as a cure for being 'nemocný', though doctors don't recommend it. It is considered polite to say 'Brzy se uzdrav' (Get well soon) when someone says they are 'nemocný'.
Gender is Key
Always remember to change the ending to -á if you are a woman. It's one of the first things Czechs notice!
Don't say 'Mám nemoc'
While 'nemoc' is a noun, saying 'I have a sickness' sounds very clinical or strange in Czech. Stick to 'Jsem nemocný'.
Signification
Stating one is unwell
Gender is Key
Always remember to change the ending to -á if you are a woman. It's one of the first things Czechs notice!
Don't say 'Mám nemoc'
While 'nemoc' is a noun, saying 'I have a sickness' sounds very clinical or strange in Czech. Stick to 'Jsem nemocný'.
Informal Ending
In Prague and central Bohemia, you'll often hear 'sem nemocnej' (ending in -ej instead of -ý). This is common in spoken Czech.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct ending for a female speaker.
Jsem nemocn___.
Female speakers must use the -á ending for adjectives.
Which sentence is correct for 'I was sick yesterday'?
...
You must use the past tense of 'být' (byl) and the correct adjective.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Proč jsi nebyl v práci? B: ________.
The question is in the past tense, so the answer should be too.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are a woman calling your doctor.
As a woman, you use the feminine ending.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Agreement in 'Jsem nemocný'
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJsem nemocn___.
Female speakers must use the -á ending for adjectives.
...
You must use the past tense of 'být' (byl) and the correct adjective.
A: Proč jsi nebyl v práci? B: ________.
The question is in the past tense, so the answer should be too.
You are a woman calling your doctor.
As a woman, you use the feminine ending.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's better to say 'Mám kocovinu'. Saying 'Jsem nemocný' implies a virus or bacteria.
'Nemocen' is a short form used in very formal or archaic Czech. In 99% of cases, use 'nemocný'.
Use 'Něco na mě leze' (Something is climbing on me) or 'Budu nemocný'.
'Nemocný' is for illness (flu, infection), 'bolavý' is for physical pain (a sore muscle).
Yes, but it's often specified as 'psychicky nemocný'.
It's informal but very widely accepted, even in workplaces.
No, 'Jsem' already tells us it's 'I'. Adding 'Já' (Já jsem nemocný) adds emphasis.
Moje dítě je nemocné.
It refers to the sick pay or the state of being on sick leave.
Usually no. You would say 'Mám zlomenou nohu'. 'Nemocný' is for internal illnesses.
Expressions liées
být marod
synonymto be ailing / on sick leave
nachlazený
specialized formhaving a cold
zdravý
contrasthealthy
uzdravit se
builds onto get well / to recover
