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A1 noun 9 min de lecture

muž

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces muž en 30 secondes

Explication muž in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that muž means 'man.' You will use it to identify people in pictures or describe your family. At this stage, you should focus on the basic nominative form (muž) and recognize the accusative form (muže) when you see it in simple sentences like 'Vidím muže' (I see a man). You will also learn that muž is the opposite of žena (woman). It is important to realize that Czech nouns have gender, and muž is obviously masculine. You might also encounter 'můj muž' when someone talks about their husband, but don't worry too much about the complex grammar yet. Just remember that it refers to an adult male. You will practice simple phrases like 'Ten muž je vysoký' (That man is tall). The goal at A1 is simply to be able to point to a man and use the correct word without confusing it with 'kluk' (boy) or 'žena' (woman). You should also learn the basic plural 'muži' (men).

At the A2 level, you start to use the word muž in more varied grammatical contexts. You will begin to learn the full declension of 'soft' masculine animate nouns. This means you should be able to say 'to the man' (muži/mužovi) or 'with the man' (s mužem). You will also start to distinguish between muž and manžel more clearly. At this level, you might describe a man's appearance or profession in more detail: 'Ten muž pracuje jako lékař' (That man works as a doctor). You will also learn that adjectives matching muž must also be masculine. For example, 'starý muž' (old man). You should be comfortable using the word in common daily scenarios, such as reporting a lost item to a 'muž v uniformě' (man in uniform). You will also practice the plural forms more consistently, remembering that 'muži' is used for the subject but 'muže' is used for the object in plural as well. This is a key step in mastering Czech sentence structure.

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At the B1 level, you should be using muž with confidence in all seven Czech cases. You will also start to encounter the word in more abstract or idiomatic expressions. For instance, you might discuss 'mužské role' (male roles) in society or read news articles where muž is used to describe suspects or heroes. You will learn the difference in register between muž, chlap, and pán. At B1, you are expected to understand that 'muž' can sound a bit formal or literary. You might use it in a presentation about a famous historical figure: 'Karel IV. byl významný muž' (Charles IV was a significant man). You will also start to see the word in complex sentences with relative clauses: 'To je ten muž, o kterém jsem ti vyprávěl' (That is the man I was telling you about). Your understanding of the plural 'muži' vs. 'mužové' will become clearer, recognizing that 'mužové' is a poetic variant you might see in older literature or songs.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of how muž functions in literature and high-level discourse. You will explore idioms like 'muž činu' (man of action) or 'slovo dělá muže' (a man is only as good as his word). You will be able to discuss gender issues using terms like 'mužský princip' (masculine principle) or 'rovnoprávnost mužů a žen' (equality of men and women). At this stage, your grammar should be near-perfect, including the tricky plural genitive 'mužů' and locative 'mužích.' You will also understand the historical development of the word and how it was used in the Czech National Revival to symbolize national strength. You can participate in debates about social expectations of men in the modern world. You will also notice that in professional settings, muž is rarely used as a title (instead of 'pan'), but it is used as a category in statistics, sociology, and medical reports. Your reading comprehension will involve texts where muž might be used metaphorically.

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At the C1 level, your command of muž is sophisticated and context-aware. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of using muž versus its synonyms in various dialects or social circles. You can analyze literary texts where the author uses the word to evoke specific archetypes (e.g., the 'zbytečný muž' or 'superfluous man' in 19th-century literature). You are comfortable with archaic forms and can understand legal or historical documents where muž might have specific technical meanings (like a 'man-at-arms' or a specific type of vassal in a historical context). You can use the word in complex philosophical discussions about masculinity and identity. Your writing will reflect a high degree of precision, choosing muž when you want to sound objective, authoritative, or classic. You will also be aware of how the word interacts with modern gender-neutral language trends in Czechia, which is a topic of ongoing linguistic debate.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for the word muž. You understand all its historical layers, from its Proto-Slavic roots to its contemporary usage in slang and poetry. You can appreciate the wordplay in advanced Czech literature (like the works of Hrabal or Kundera) where muž might be used ironically or to subvert traditional expectations. You are aware of regional variations in declension (though standard Czech is preferred in formal writing). You can write academic papers on the concept of 'mužství' (manhood) or translate complex English texts that use 'man' in various ways (man as humanity, man as a male, man as a soldier) into the appropriate Czech equivalents. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in the most formal diplomatic protocols as well as the most gritty, realistic prose. You are essentially a master of the word's entire semantic field, including its rarest collocations and most obscure historical references.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

muž en 30 secondes

The Czech word 'muž' means 'man' and is used to identify any adult male person.
It also commonly means 'husband' when used with a possessive pronoun like 'můj' (my).
Grammatically, it is a masculine animate noun and serves as a model for many other words.
It is more formal than 'chlap' (guy) and less formal than 'pán' (gentleman).

The Czech word muž is a fundamental noun in the Czech language, primarily referring to an adult male human being. At its core, it is the direct equivalent of the English word 'man.' However, its usage extends beyond mere biological identification. In Czech culture and linguistics, muž carries weight related to maturity, social roles, and historical contexts. It is one of the first words a learner encounters because it serves as the paradigm (model) for the masculine animate declension pattern in Czech grammar. Understanding muž is not just about vocabulary; it is about mastering the very structure of how masculine nouns behave in sentences.

Biological Context: Used to distinguish an adult male from a woman (žena) or a child (dítě). It implies reached maturity, typically 18 years or older.

Ten muž stojí u okna a tiše se dívá ven na ulici.

Marital Context: In older or more formal Czech, and in specific legal contexts, muž can mean 'husband.' While manžel is the standard modern term, you will see muž used this way in literature or when emphasizing the union of 'muž a žena' (husband and wife).

Můj muž pracuje jako inženýr v Praze.

Archetypal Context: It represents the concept of manhood. Phrases like 'stát se mužem' (to become a man) highlight the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the responsibilities associated with it.

Byl to muž pevných zásad a velkého srdce.

Vidím starého muže, který sedí na lavičce v parku.

Furthermore, muž is used in historical and military contexts. Phrases like 'muž proti muži' (man to man) or 'přesila mužů' (superiority of men/soldiers) show its collective use in tactical or competitive environments. In chess, 'muž' can also refer to a piece, though 'figurka' is more common today. The word is deeply embedded in the Czech identity, appearing in national anthems, classic literature, and daily news reports. Whether you are describing a stranger on the street or a historical hero, muž is your primary tool for male identification.

Using muž correctly requires a firm grasp of the Czech case system. Because it is a masculine animate noun ending in a soft consonant, its endings change significantly depending on its role in the sentence. For English speakers, this is the most challenging part, as 'man' remains 'man' regardless of whether he is the subject or the object. In Czech, however, muž becomes muže, muži, or mužem.

The Subject (Nominative): When the man is performing the action. 'Ten muž čte knihu' (The man is reading a book).

Mladý muž se usmál na kolemjdoucí dívku.

The Direct Object (Accusative): When the action is done to the man. Note the change to 'muže'. 'Znáš toho muže?' (Do you know that man?).

Policie hledá neznámého muže v modrém kabátě.

Possession (Genitive): Used to show ownership or after certain prepositions. 'Auto toho muže' (The car of that man).

Bez tohoto muže by náš tým nikdy nevyhrál.

The Indirect Object (Dative): When giving something to the man. 'Dala jsem ten dopis tomu muži' (I gave the letter to that man).

Pomozte, prosím, tomu starému muži s taškami.

When moving to the plural, muži is the most frequent form for the nominative (subjects). However, in formal contexts, you might encounter mužové, though it sounds archaic or poetic today. For example, 'Všichni muži na palubu!' (All men on deck!). Using the word correctly also implies matching it with the right adjective endings. Since muž is masculine animate, an adjective like 'dobrý' (good) becomes 'dobří' in the nominative plural: 'Dobří muži' (Good men). This ripple effect through the sentence is why mastering muž is essential for any Czech learner.

The word muž is ubiquitous in Czech life, appearing in formal news broadcasts, legal documents, literature, and everyday conversation. However, the frequency and tone of its use vary depending on the setting. In a news report about a crime or a heroic act, muž is the standard, objective term used to describe an individual. You will hear phrases like 'Neznámý muž zachránil dítě' (An unknown man saved a child).

In Literature and Film: Authors use muž to evoke a sense of maturity or gravity. A character described as a 'muž' is often portrayed as having specific masculine virtues or standing in society.

Ernest Hemingway je často popisován jako muž akce.

In Legal and Official Settings: Passports, police reports, and official forms use muž to denote gender (pohlaví). It is the formal counterpart to žena (woman).

Podezřelý muž byl zadržen krátce po činu.

In Sports and Competitions: Commentators use muži to refer to the male category of an event, such as 'běh mužů na 100 metrů' (men's 100m sprint).

Dnešní závod mužů byl velmi napínavý až do konce.

Interestingly, in the Czech Republic, you will also hear muž in the context of history and national identity. The Czech national anthem mentions 'v švarném těle, v drahé duši, v tom muži...' (in a handsome body, in a precious soul, in that man...). This reflects the 19th-century National Revival period when muž was used to symbolize the strength and resilience of the Czech nation. Today, while language has become more casual, muž remains the anchor for any discussion involving adult males, whether in a romantic sense ('můj muž' - my husband) or a general sense ('muži a ženy' - men and women).

Learning the word muž seems simple until you start declining it. The most common mistakes English speakers make are related to grammatical gender, animacy, and the 'soft' ending of the word. Czech is a highly inflected language, and muž is the 'poster child' for masculine animate nouns. Here is where learners usually trip up.

Mistake 1: Treating it as Inanimate: English speakers often forget that in the Accusative case (direct object), animate nouns change while inanimate ones don't. You cannot say 'Vidím muž.' You must say 'Vidím muže.'

Špatně: Hledám ten muž. Správně: Hledám toho muže.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Muž' and 'Manžel': While 'můj muž' means 'my husband,' using 'muž' for 'husband' in every context can sound dated. In modern Czech, use 'manžel' to be clear about the marital relationship.

Můj muž (My husband) vs. Tamten muž (That man).

Mistake 3: Wrong Plural Adjectives: Because muži is plural masculine animate, the adjectives must change. 'Mladý muž' becomes 'mladí muži.' Many learners forget this 'i' mutation in adjectives.

Ti muži jsou velmi vysocí (Those men are very tall).

Another subtle mistake is using muž when pán (gentleman/sir) would be more polite. If you are addressing someone or talking about a stranger in a respectful way, pán is preferred. Calling a waiter 'muži!' would be very rude; instead, you would use 'pane!' (the vocative form of pán). Similarly, when referring to a male colleague, 'ten pán' sounds more professional than 'ten muž.' Avoiding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native and less like a textbook.

Czech has several words for 'man' or 'guy,' and choosing the right one depends entirely on the level of formality and the relationship between the speaker and the subject. While muž is the general, neutral term, it is often replaced in daily life by more specific alternatives.

Chlap: The most common informal word for 'guy' or 'fellow.' It implies a certain level of masculinity or toughness. 'Je to dobrý chlap' (He's a good guy).

Ten chlap v hospodě vypadal drsně.

Pán: Translates to 'gentleman' or 'sir.' Use this when you want to be polite or when referring to an older man you don't know well. 'Ten pán v obleku' (That gentleman in the suit).

Prosím, uvolněte místo tamtomu starému pánovi.

Manžel: The specific word for 'husband.' While 'muž' can mean husband, 'manžel' is unambiguous and standard for modern introductions.

To je můj manžel, Petr.

Mladík: A young man or youth. Use this for someone in their late teens or early twenties to emphasize their youth.

Skupina mladíků hrála fotbal na hřišti.

In summary, while muž is the foundational word, Czech speakers switch between these alternatives to convey social standing, age, and level of intimacy. Use chlap among friends, pán in shops and restaurants, and muž in formal writing or when discussing men as a general group. Understanding these nuances will make your Czech sound much more natural and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word is cognate with the English word 'man' through deep Indo-European roots (*man-), though the Slavic version added a nasal vowel that later disappeared in Czech.

Guide de prononciation

UK /mʊʃ/

US /mʊʃ/

The stress is always on the first syllable in Czech, so it is on 'muž'.

Rime avec

nůž (knife) louž (puddle - gen. pl.) už (already) tuž (ink) souž (distress - imperative) kruž (circle - imperative) pruž (spring - imperative) mž (blink - root)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 'ž' as a voiced sound (like 'z' in azure). It should be 'sh'.
Making the 'u' too long like in 'moon'. It should be short like in 'foot'.
Confusing 'muž' with 'mush' in English (though the sound is similar, the meaning is different).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is a short, common word.

Écriture 3/5

Challenging due to the 7 cases and soft consonant declension.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires quick thinking for case endings.

Écoute 1/5

Clear sound, hard to confuse with other basic words.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

on (he) člověk (person) být (to be) ten (that) velký (big)

Apprends ensuite

žena (woman) dítě (child) chlapec (boy) dívka (girl) manžel (husband)

Avancé

mužství (manhood) patriarchát (patriarchy) maskulinita (masculinity) gentleman (gentleman) šovinismus (chauvinism)

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine Animate Declension (Soft)

muž (nom), muže (gen/acc), muži (dat/loc), mužem (ins)

Adjective Agreement

mladý muž -> mladí muži (plural mutation)

Final Consonant Devoicing

muž is pronounced /mʊʃ/

Genitive/Accusative Syncretism

Vidím muže (acc) = Bez muže (gen)

Vocative Case for Address

Muži! (O Man! - though Pane is more common)

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Exemples par niveau

Ten muž je můj otec.

That man is my father.

Nominative singular (subject).

Vidím jednoho muže.

I see one man.

Accusative singular (direct object).

Tady je vysoký muž.

Here is a tall man.

Adjective agreement with masculine animate noun.

Kdo je ten muž?

Who is that man?

Interrogative sentence with nominative.

Můj muž je doma.

My husband is at home.

Possessive 'můj' + 'muž' meaning husband.

Tam jsou dva muži.

There are two men.

Nominative plural.

To je hodný muž.

That is a kind man.

Simple descriptive sentence.

Muž a žena pijí kávu.

A man and a woman are drinking coffee.

Compound subject.

Mluvím o tom muži.

I am talking about that man.

Locative singular after 'o'.

Dám tu knihu tomu muži.

I will give that book to that man.

Dative singular (indirect object).

Šla jsem tam s mým mužem.

I went there with my husband.

Instrumental singular after 's'.

Bez toho muže to nejde.

It doesn't work without that man.

Genitive singular after 'bez'.

Znáte ty muže u stolu?

Do you know those men at the table?

Accusative plural.

Ptal jsem se toho muže na cestu.

I asked that man for directions.

Genitive singular used with 'ptát se'.

Každý muž má své sny.

Every man has his dreams.

General statement.

Potkal jsem zajímavého muže.

I met an interesting man.

Accusative singular with adjective.

Byl to muž, kterého si všichni vážili.

He was a man whom everyone respected.

Relative clause with 'kterého'.

V té místnosti bylo pět mužů.

There were five men in that room.

Genitive plural after the number five.

Pomáháme starým mužům v domově.

We help old men in the home.

Dative plural.

Je to příběh o odvaze jednoho muže.

It is a story about one man's courage.

Genitive singular indicating possession/focus.

Muži v této zemi milují hokej.

Men in this country love hockey.

Nominative plural (generalization).

Stal se z něj dospělý muž.

He became an adult man.

Instrumental singular after 'stát se'.

Hledáme muže pro tuto práci.

We are looking for a man for this job.

Accusative singular.

Mezi těmito muži je velký rozdíl.

There is a big difference between these men.

Instrumental plural after 'mezi'.

Je to typický muž činu.

He is a typical man of action.

Idiomatic expression 'muž činu'.

O těchto mužích se v historii moc nepíše.

Not much is written in history about these men.

Locative plural.

Slovo dělá muže, pamatuj si to.

A man is as good as his word, remember that.

Proverbial usage.

Policie popsala muže jako vysokého a štíhlého.

The police described the man as tall and slender.

Accusative singular as object of description.

Všichni muži jsou si rovni před zákonem.

All men are equal before the law.

Legal/Philosophical statement.

Muži často skrývají své emoce.

Men often hide their emotions.

Sociological generalization.

Byl to muž pevných zásad.

He was a man of firm principles.

Character description using genitive.

Závod mužů začíná za deset minut.

The men's race starts in ten minutes.

Genitive plural in a sports context.

Jeho proměna v muže byla bolestná.

His transformation into a man was painful.

Accusative singular after 'v' (transformation).

Tento muž ztělesňuje ideály své doby.

This man embodies the ideals of his time.

Abstract literary usage.

Diskuse o postavení muže v moderní rodině pokračuje.

The discussion about the position of the man in the modern family continues.

Genitive singular in academic context.

Mužové, kteří padli v bitvě, byli hrdinové.

The men who fell in battle were heroes.

Archaic/Poetic plural 'mužové'.

Není to jen muž, je to symbol odporu.

He is not just a man; he is a symbol of resistance.

Emphatic usage.

Jednal jako muž, který nemá co ztratit.

He acted like a man who has nothing to lose.

Simile with relative clause.

Pojetí 'pravého muže' se v průběhu staletí měnilo.

The concept of a 'true man' has changed over the centuries.

Genitive singular in quotation marks.

V tomto románu vystupuje muž bez minulosti.

In this novel, a man without a past appears.

Literary trope.

Muž, jakožto biologická i sociální entita, je středem zájmu.

Man, as both a biological and social entity, is the center of interest.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Byl to muž v pravém slova smyslu, se všemi svými chybami.

He was a man in the true sense of the word, with all his flaws.

Nuanced characterization.

Archetyp 'moudrého starého muže' se objevuje v mnoha kulturách.

The archetype of the 'wise old man' appears in many cultures.

Jungian psychological term.

V textu je muž konfrontován se svou vlastní smrtelností.

In the text, the man is confronted with his own mortality.

Passive voice in literary analysis.

Tato právní norma se vztahuje na každého muže i ženu.

This legal norm applies to every man and woman.

Formal legal language.

Muž v jeho podání byl postavou tragickou i komickou zároveň.

The man in his portrayal was a figure both tragic and comic at the same time.

Critical analysis of a performance.

Složitost mužovy psychiky je často podceňována.

The complexity of a man's psyche is often underestimated.

Possessive adjective 'mužův'.

Byl to muž, jenž zasvětil svůj život vědě.

He was a man who dedicated his life to science.

Formal relative pronoun 'jenž'.

Collocations courantes

mladý muž

starý muž

muž činu

neznámý muž

stát se mužem

můj muž

vysoký muž

pohledný muž

muž v uniformě

skupina mužů

Phrases Courantes

Muž a žena

— The standard pairing of 'man and woman'. Often used in general discussions or marriage contexts.

V sále byli muži a ženy.

Všichni muži

— Refers to all men in a group or in general. Used for collective statements.

Všichni muži musí odejít.

Jako muž

— Acting in a way that is considered traditionally masculine. Can be positive or stereotypical.

Chovej se jako muž!

První muž

— Can refer to the 'first man' (Adam) or the 'first man' in a specific field/leader.

Byl to první muž na Měsíci.

Muž roku

— A title given in competitions or magazines. 'Man of the year'.

Vyhrál anketu Muž roku.

Pravý muž

— Refers to an ideal or 'real' man. Often used in advertising or advice.

Pravý muž se nebojí.

Muž v domácnosti

— A 'stay-at-home' man or husband. A modern term.

Je to moderní muž v domácnosti.

Mladý muž!

— A way of addressing a younger male, sometimes with a slightly reprimanding tone.

Mladý muži, co to děláte?

Muž zákona

— A formal/literary way to say 'police officer' or 'lawman'.

Muž zákona zasáhl včas.

Muž mnoha tváří

— Someone who is versatile or perhaps deceptive. 'A man of many faces'.

Je to herec a muž mnoha tváří.

Souvent confondu avec

muž vs nůž

Sounds similar (/nuːʃ/ vs /mʊʃ/), but means 'knife'. Don't mix them up!

muž vs mužský

This is the adjective 'male/masculine', while 'muž' is the noun.

muž vs myš

Means 'mouse'. The vowel is different, but for beginners, the 'm' and 'sh' sound can be confusing.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Slovo dělá muže"

— A man is defined by his ability to keep his promises. Integrity is paramount.

Sliboval jsi to, a slovo dělá muže.

proverbial

"Muž činu"

— Someone who takes action rather than just talking about things.

Náš šéf je muž činu, žádné zbytečné řeči.

neutral

"Postavit se k tomu jako muž"

— To face a difficult situation bravely and take responsibility.

Musíš se k té chybě postavit jako muž.

informal

"Muž proti muži"

— A direct confrontation or duel between two individuals.

Byl to boj muž proti muži.

literary/military

"Muž na svém místě"

— Someone who is perfectly suited for their job or position.

Nový ředitel je muž na svém místě.

neutral

"Být pod pantoflem"

— While not using 'muž' directly, it refers to a man who is dominated by his wife.

Ten chudák je úplně pod pantoflem.

informal

"První muž státu"

— Refers to the President or the highest-ranking male official.

První muž státu dnes promluvil k národu.

journalistic

"Muž z lidu"

— A man who comes from a common background; a man of the people.

Politik se snažil vypadat jako muž z lidu.

political

"Stát jako jeden muž"

— To act in total unity and agreement as a group.

Celý národ stál za ním jako jeden muž.

rhetorical

"Mrtvý muž"

— Often used in thrillers to mean someone who is doomed.

Pokud to uděláš, jsi mrtvý muž.

informal/dramatic

Facile à confondre

muž vs chlap

Both mean man/guy.

Chlap is much more informal and often implies masculinity. Muž is neutral and can also mean husband.

Je to silný chlap. / Ten muž je můj manžel.

muž vs pán

Both refer to adult males.

Pán is used for 'gentleman' or 'sir'. You address someone as 'Pane', never as 'Muži'.

Dobrý den, pane Nováku.

muž vs manžel

Muž can mean husband.

Manžel is specific and modern. Muž is general but can be used for husband with a possessive.

Můj manžel Petr. / Můj muž (husband).

muž vs lidé

Plural of person vs plural of man.

Lidé means 'people' (mixed or general). Muži means specifically 'men'.

Všichni lidé (everyone) vs. Všichni muži (all men).

muž vs kluk

Both are males.

Kluk is a boy or a young man (informal). Muž is an adult.

Ten kluk je ještě dítě.

Structures de phrases

[Ten] muž je [adjective].

Ten muž je starý.

Vidím [adjective] muže.

Vidím mladého muže.

Mluvím s [adjective] mužem.

Mluvím s tím mužem.

Je to muž, který [verb].

Je to muž, který ví všechno.

Jakožto muž [verb]...

Jakožto muž cítím zodpovědnost.

Není muže, jenž by [verb]...

Není muže, jenž by to dokázal.

To je [possessive] muž.

To je můj muž.

[Number] muži [verb].

Dva muži pracují.

Famille de mots

Noms

mužství (manhood)

mužíček (little man/mannikin)

mužnost (masculinity)

mužstvo (team/crew)

Verbes

mužnět (to become manly/mature)

zmužile (to act bravely - related root)

Adjectifs

mužský (male/masculine)

mužný (manly/virile)

mužův (man's/husband's)

Apparenté

manžel (husband)

chlap (guy)

pán (gentleman)

lidstvo (humanity)

člověk (human)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high. One of the top 500 words in Czech.

Erreurs courantes

Vidím ten muž. → Vidím toho muže.
You must use the accusative case for animate objects. 'Muž' becomes 'muže'.
Mladý muži jsou tady. → Mladí muži jsou tady.
Adjectives must change to the masculine animate plural form in the nominative.
Dám to muž. → Dám to muži (or mužovi).
The dative case (giving to someone) requires the correct ending.
Pět muži. → Pět mužů.
After numbers 5 and above, Czech uses the genitive plural.
O mužiovi. → O muži (or o mužovi).
Don't combine the two possible endings. It's either -i or -ovi, not both.

Astuces

Master the Paradigm

Since 'muž' is the model for all soft masculine animate nouns, learning its declension perfectly will help you with hundreds of other words like 'učitel' (teacher) or 'král' (king).

Muž vs. Člověk

Don't use 'muž' when you mean 'person' in general. Use 'člověk'. 'Muž' is specifically for males.

Politeness

Always use 'pán' when being polite. Referring to someone as 'ten muž' in their presence can sound slightly dismissive.

The Final Sh

Remember the final consonant devoicing. 'Muž' sounds like 'mush'. This is a key rule in Czech phonetics.

Plural Adjectives

When writing 'tall men', remember the adjective change: 'vysoký' becomes 'vysocí'. This is the hardest part for many learners.

Spoken Dative

In spoken Czech, 'mužovi' is very common for the dative/locative. Don't be surprised if you hear it more than 'muži'.

Context is King

If you hear 'můj muž' at a wedding, it definitely means husband. If you hear it on a crime show, it might just mean 'that man'.

The Mushroom Man

Use the mushroom mnemonic. It's silly, but it works to remember the 'mu' sound.

Numbers

With numbers 2-4, use 'muži'. For 5 and up, use 'mužů'. 'Dva muži' vs 'Pět mužů'.

Root Recognition

Recognizing the 'muž' root in words like 'mužstvo' (team) helps you expand your vocabulary faster.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'MUshroom' shaped like a 'man' (muž). Imagine a man wearing a giant mushroom hat.

Association visuelle

Visualize the letter 'M' as two strong legs of a 'muž' (man) standing firmly on the ground.

Word Web

manžel (husband) chlap (guy) síla (strength) rodina (family) práce (work) pivo (beer - stereotypical) fotbal (football) otec (father)

Défi

Try to use the word 'muž' in three different cases today: Nominative (muž), Accusative (muže), and Instrumental (s mužem).

Origine du mot

Derived from the Proto-Slavic *mǫžь. It is related to the Old Church Slavonic 'mǫžĭ'.

Sens originel : The original meaning was 'man' or 'human male', often with connotations of strength or adulthood.

Indo-European -> Balto-Slavic -> Slavic -> West Slavic -> Czech.

Contexte culturel

Be aware that while 'muž' is neutral, using 'chlap' can sometimes be perceived as slightly aggressive or overly informal depending on the tone.

English speakers often use 'man' for both gender and humanity. Czech uses 'muž' for gender and 'člověk' for humanity.

Muž se srdcem kovboje (A Man with a Cowboy's Heart - famous song) Muži v naději (Men in Hope - popular Czech film) Starec a more (Old Man and the Sea - Hemingway, translated as Stařec, but refers to a muž)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Family and Relationships

To je můj muž.
Můj muž je skvělý otec.
Hledám si muže.
Můj muž nevaří.

Descriptions

Vysoký muž v brýlích.
Starý muž s hůlkou.
Neznámý muž na ulici.
Pohledný mladý muž.

Legal/Official

Identifikace muže.
Muž ve věku 30 let.
Pohlaví: muž.
Zadržený muž.

Sports

Kategorie muži.
Šatna pro muže.
Muž zápasu.
Závod mužů.

Literature/Philosophy

Příběh o muži.
Muž a jeho osud.
Ideální muž.
Muž v moderní společnosti.

Amorces de conversation

"Kdo je ten muž, který právě přišel?"

"Myslíš si, že je to dobrý muž pro tu práci?"

"Znáš toho muže na té staré fotografii?"

"Jaký by měl být podle tebe ideální muž?"

"Viděl jsi toho muže v tom vtipném kostýmu?"

Sujets d'écriture

Popiš muže, který měl velký vliv na tvůj život.

Co pro tebe znamená slovo 'muž' v dnešní době?

Napiš krátký příběh o neznámém muži na vlakovém nádraží.

Jaké vlastnosti by měl mít muž, kterého si vážíš?

Představ si, že jsi muž v 19. století. Jak vypadá tvůj den?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it only means husband when used with a possessive like 'můj muž' (my husband) or in a clear context. Otherwise, it just means 'man'. In modern Czech, 'manžel' is the more common and precise word for husband.

At the end of the word, it sounds like the English 'sh' in 'ship'. If you add an ending, like in 'muže', it sounds like the 's' in 'measure' or 'pleasure'.

'Muži' is the standard plural for 'men'. 'Mužové' is an older, poetic, or very formal version that you will mostly see in literature or old songs. Stick to 'muži' for everyday use.

It is a 'soft' masculine animate noun because it ends in 'ž', which is a soft consonant. This means it follows the 'muž' paradigm (which is named after this very word!).

It is very rare and sounds quite aggressive or dramatic. Use 'Pane' (Sir) instead. Addressing someone as 'Muži!' sounds like something out of an epic movie or a very rude command.

Neither is 'better', they just have different registers. 'Chlap' is what you'd call your buddy or a guy on the street. 'Muž' is what you'd use in a news report or when being more formal.

The plural genitive is 'mužů'. For example, 'skupina mužů' (a group of men).

Yes! Because it is animate, the singular accusative is 'muže'. You say 'Vidím muže', not 'Vidím muž'.

Yes, the female equivalent is 'žena' (woman). For 'husband/wife', the pair is 'muž/žena' or 'manžel/manželka'.

You usually see 'Muži' or 'Páni' on the door, or the symbol for male.

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