When talking about the human body, hlava simply means 'head'. You'll use this just like you use 'head' in English. For example, if you say 'My head hurts,' you'll use 'hlava'.
You'll also find it in common phrases where 'head' is used metaphorically. Think of expressions like 'head of the family' or 'to lose one's head'. In these cases, Czech often uses hlava as well, so it's quite a direct translation.
When talking about the human anatomy, the word hlava directly translates to "head" in English. This is its most common and primary meaning, used in everyday conversation, medical contexts, and descriptions of people or animals.
Beyond its literal meaning, hlava is also used metaphorically in various idioms and expressions. For example, to "have a good head on one's shoulders" implies being sensible and intelligent. Similarly, "to lose one's head" means to panic or become irrational.
Furthermore, hlava can refer to the "head" of an organization or a group, signifying leadership or the top position. It can also describe the "head" of a cabbage or a nail, illustrating its use for the topmost or foremost part of an object.
Understanding these different uses, from the literal to the idiomatic and metaphorical, is crucial for mastering the versatility of hlava in Czech. Its context often dictates whether it refers to anatomy, leadership, or an object's apex, making it a rich word for advanced learners.
§ What Does "Hlava" Mean and When Do People Use It?
Alright, let's get straight to it. Today we're tackling the Czech word hlava. This is a super common and essential word, so pay attention. You'll hear it and use it a lot.
- DEFINITION
- The upper part of the human body.
Simple enough, right? Just like in English, "hlava" primarily means 'head'. You use it in all the straightforward ways you'd expect. If you want to talk about your head, someone else's head, or even a headache, hlava is your word.
Bolí mě hlava.
This translates to "My head hurts." (Literally, "Hurts me head.") This is a classic phrase you'll want to know.
Má velkou hlavu.
Meaning: "He has a big head." (You get the idea.)
But here's where it gets interesting and useful. Like 'head' in English, hlava isn't just about the anatomical part. It also pops up in various common expressions and can refer to the 'leader' or 'chief' of something. Think of 'head of the department' or 'head of the family'. Czech uses hlava in very similar ways.
- CONTEXTUAL MEANING
- Leader, chief, or main part of something.
Je to hlava rodiny.
This means: "He is the head of the family." See? Very straightforward application.
Hlava státu.
This translates to "Head of state." Another common usage you should be aware of.
It can also refer to 'mind' or 'intellect' in some contexts, especially when talking about thinking or intelligence. Though, 'mozek' (brain) is also used for the physical organ.
Má dobrou hlavu na čísla.
This phrase means: "He has a good head for numbers." (Meaning, he's good at math.)
Here are a few other situations where you might encounter hlava:
- Talking about a "head of cabbage" – hlava zelí.
- Describing the "head of a nail" – hlava hřebíku.
- In chess, the "head of a column" can be referred to as hlava sloupce.
As you can see, the usage is quite broad, but always related to the core concept of being the top, front, or leading part. The key is to understand the context. Don't overthink it too much at this A1 stage; just focus on the primary meanings and the common expressions.
For example, in "Bolí mě hlava" (My head hurts), hlava is in its nominative form because it's the subject. In "Má velkou hlavu" (He has a big head), it's in the accusative case (direct object), hence hlavu.
Don't let the grammar overwhelm you right now. Just focus on internalizing the word and its basic meanings. The declensions will come with practice. For your A1 level, understanding that hlava means 'head' and can extend to 'leader' or 'main part' is a solid start. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll be using hlava like a native in no time!
Exemples par niveau
Skláním hlavu před tvým odhodláním.
I bow my head to your determination.
skláňět hlavu - to bow one's head (idiom)
Má hlavu plnou starostí, ale snaží se zůstat pozitivní.
He has a head full of worries, but tries to stay positive.
mít hlavu plnou něčeho - to have one's head full of something
To se mi nehodí do hlavy, musím si to znovu přečíst.
That doesn't fit into my head, I need to read it again.
nehodit se do hlavy - to not make sense (idiom)
Postavil se na hlavu, aby nám pomohl.
He stood on his head to help us.
postavit se na hlavu - to go to great lengths (idiom)
Udržuj si chladnou hlavu, i když je situace napjatá.
Keep a cool head, even when the situation is tense.
mít chladnou hlavu - to keep a cool head (idiom)
To mě napadlo, když jsem šel do postele.
That occurred to me when I was going to bed.
napadnout někoho (o myšlence) - to occur to someone
Zavrtěl hlavou na znamení nesouhlasu.
He shook his head in disagreement.
zavrtět hlavou - to shake one's head
Je to hlava rodiny, takže jeho slovo platí.
He is the head of the family, so his word is law.
hlava rodiny - head of the family
Skláním hlavu před tvou odvahou.
I bow my head before your courage. (idiomatic: I admire your courage.)
skloňovat hlavu - to bow one's head (idiom)
Měj hlavu vzhůru, všechno bude v pořádku.
Keep your head up, everything will be alright. (idiomatic: Stay strong, be optimistic.)
mít hlavu vzhůru - to keep one's head up (idiom)
To se mi honí hlavou už několik dní.
That's been running through my head for several days. (idiomatic: I've been thinking about that for days.)
honit se hlavou - to run through one's head (idiom)
Měl by sis to nechat projít hlavou, než se rozhodneš.
You should let that run through your head before you decide. (idiomatic: You should think about that carefully.)
nechat si něco projít hlavou - to let something run through one's head (idiom)
Je to hlavou proti zdi.
It's banging your head against a wall. (idiomatic: It's a futile effort.)
jít hlavou proti zdi - to hit one's head against a wall (idiom)
To mi nejde do hlavy.
That doesn't go into my head. (idiomatic: I don't understand that.)
nejít do hlavy - not to go into one's head (idiom)
Musíš udržet chladnou hlavu.
You must keep a cool head. (idiomatic: You must stay calm.)
udržet chladnou hlavu - to keep a cool head (idiom)
To je nad mou hlavu.
That's over my head. (idiomatic: That's beyond my comprehension.)
být nad něčí hlavu - to be over someone's head (idiom)
Expressions idiomatiques
"mít hlavu v oblacích"
To have one's head in the clouds (to be a dreamer, unrealistic)
On má pořád hlavu v oblacích, neví, co se děje. (He always has his head in the clouds, he doesn't know what's going on.)
neutral"jít hlavou proti zdi"
To hit one's head against a wall (to try to do something impossible or futile)
Snažil se to změnit, ale šel hlavou proti zdi. (He tried to change it, but he was hitting his head against a wall.)
neutral"ztratit hlavu"
To lose one's head (to panic, to lose self-control)
Když viděl ten nepořádek, ztratil hlavu. (When he saw the mess, he lost his head.)
neutral"mít hlavu plnou starostí"
To have one's head full of worries
Pořád má hlavu plnou starostí o práci. (He always has his head full of worries about work.)
neutral"dostat něco do hlavy"
To get something into one's head (to understand, to learn something)
Trvalo mi dlouho, než jsem to dostal do hlavy. (It took me a long time to get it into my head.)
neutral"vysoká hlava"
A big head (to be arrogant, conceited)
Od té doby, co ho povýšili, má vysokou hlavu. (Ever since he was promoted, he's had a big head.)
informal"hlava mi to nebere"
My head can't take it (I can't understand it, it's incomprehensible to me)
Ty jeho výmluvy mi hlava nebere. (I can't understand his excuses.)
neutral"mít chytrou hlavu"
To have a clever head (to be intelligent)
Ten kluk má chytrou hlavu, všechno si pamatuje. (That boy has a clever head, he remembers everything.)
neutral"vzít si něco do hlavy"
To get something into one's head (to become fixated on an idea, often stubbornly)
Vzala si do hlavy, že pojede do Ameriky. (She got it into her head that she would go to America.)
neutral"hlava rodiny"
Head of the family
Můj děda byl vždycky hlava rodiny. (My grandfather was always the head of the family.)
neutralComment l'utiliser
The word 'hlava' is a feminine noun in Czech. It follows standard feminine noun declension patterns. It's used in many common expressions, just like in English. For example, 'mít hlavu v oblacích' means 'to have one's head in the clouds' (to be a daydreamer).
A common mistake for English speakers is forgetting the gender of 'hlava' and trying to use masculine or neuter adjective endings with it. Remember, it's feminine, so adjectives modifying it will take feminine endings (e.g., 'velká hlava' - big head, not 'velký hlava'). Also, in some idiomatic expressions, the English translation might not directly use 'head', so try to learn these phrases as a whole.
Teste-toi 24 questions
Which of these means 'head'?
'Hlava' is the Czech word for 'head'.
Choose the correct Czech word for 'head' in the sentence: 'Bolí mě ___.' (My ___ hurts.)
The sentence translates to 'My head hurts', so 'hlava' is the correct word.
Which body part is 'hlava'?
Hlava means head.
'Hlava' means 'hand' in Czech.
'Hlava' means 'head', not 'hand'. The Czech word for hand is 'ruka'.
If someone says 'Bolí mě hlava', they are saying their head hurts.
'Bolí mě hlava' directly translates to 'My head hurts'.
You can point to your nose and say 'To je moje hlava.' (This is my head.)
You would point to your head, not your nose, to say 'To je moje hlava.'
Write a short sentence using 'hlava' to describe someone feeling a headache. (Remember, in Czech, you often say 'My head hurts me'.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Bolí mě hlava. (My head hurts me.)
Translate: 'He has a big head.' (Use 'velký' for big and 'mít' for to have.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Má velkou hlavu.
Form a simple sentence saying 'I wash my head.' (Use 'mýt' for to wash.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Myji si hlavu.
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
Read this passage:
Mám rád svou hlavu. Moje hlava je velká. Bolí mě hlava.
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
The first sentence 'Mám rád svou hlavu' means 'I like my head.'
The first sentence 'Mám rád svou hlavu' means 'I like my head.'
What color is Karel's hair?
Read this passage:
Karel má hnědé vlasy na hlavě. Jeho hlava je kulatá.
What color is Karel's hair?
'Hnědé vlasy' means brown hair.
'Hnědé vlasy' means brown hair.
Why does the sister have a hat on her head?
Read this passage:
Moje sestra má na hlavě čepici. Je zima, a proto má čepici na hlavě.
Why does the sister have a hat on her head?
'Je zima' means 'It's cold.'
'Je zima' means 'It's cold.'
Cítil se, jako by měl ___ plnou myšlenek, nemohl spát.
Here, 'hlavu' is in the accusative case, governed by the prepositional phrase 'mít plnou něčeho' (to have something full of something), meaning 'to have one's head full of thoughts'.
Sklonila ___ a přemýšlela o tom, co se stalo.
The verb 'sklonit' (to bow/lower) requires the object to be in the accusative case, hence 'hlavu'.
Bolí mě ___ z celodenního čtení.
When expressing that a part of the body hurts, the part of the body is the subject of the sentence and is in the nominative case. So, 'hlava' (head) hurts.
Měl na ___ klobouk, aby se chránil před sluncem.
The preposition 'na' (on) usually takes the locative case when indicating location, so 'na hlavě' means 'on the head'.
Když jsem šel kolem, viděl jsem ji, jak si drží ___ v rukou.
The verb 'držet' (to hold) requires the object to be in the accusative case, hence 'hlavu'.
Věděl, že má na ___ velkou zodpovědnost.
The idiom 'mít na hlavě zodpovědnost' (to have responsibility on one's shoulders/head) uses the locative case with 'na'.
This sentence describes a headache. 'Její' means 'her', 'hlava' means 'head', 'bolí' means 'hurts', 'už' means 'already', 'několik' means 'several', and 'dní' means 'days'.
This idiom means to have a head full of worries. 'Mít' means 'to have', 'hlavu' is the accusative of 'hlava', 'plnou' means 'full', 'starostí' means 'of worries', 'je' means 'is', and 'vyčerpávající' means 'exhausting'.
This idiom means to get it into one's head to do something. 'Vzali si' means 'they took to themselves', 'do hlavy' means 'into the head', 'postavit' means 'to build', 'nový' means 'new', and 'dům' means 'house'.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
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