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.
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뜻
Polite word used for requests or responses.
문화적 배경
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.
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.
셀프 테스트
Someone says 'Děkuji' to you. What is the most natural response?
Děkuji za kávu!
'Prosím' is the standard response to 'Děkuji'.
Fill in the correct form of 'prosím' for a formal situation.
______ vás, kde je tady banka?
'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)
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: ______.
In this context, all three blanks are filled by 'prosím'.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
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.
연습 문제 은행
5 연습 문제Děkuji za kávu!
'Prosím' is the standard response to 'Děkuji'.
______ vás, kde je tady banka?
'Prosím vás' is the formal way to address a stranger.
1. Prosím? (Rising tone) | 2. Prosím. (Handing a gift) | 3. Pivo, prosím. (Ordering)
Intonation and physical context change the meaning of the word.
Waiter: Dobrý den, co si dáte? Customer: Jednu polévku, ______. Waiter: ______, tady je polévka. Customer: Děkuji. Waiter: ______.
In this context, all three blanks are filled by 'prosím'.
🎉 점수: /5
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Only 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'.
관련 표현
Děkuji
contrastThank you
Není zač
synonymDon't mention it
Promiňte
similarExcuse me / Sorry
Rádo se stalo
builds onIt was a pleasure
Prosba
specialized formA request/favor
어디서 쓸까?
At a Cafe
Customer: Jedno espresso, prosím.
Waiter: Prosím, tady je vaše káva.
Customer: Děkuji.
Waiter: Prosím.
Answering the Phone
Receiver: Prosím?
Caller: Dobrý den, tady je Petr...
Asking for Directions
Tourist: Prosím vás, kde je Karlův most?
Local: To je rovně a pak doleva.
Handing over a Document
Employee: Prosím, tady je ta smlouva.
Boss: Děkuji vám.
Not Hearing Someone
Friend: Zítra jdeme do kina.
You: Prosím?
Friend: Říkám, že zítra jdeme do kina.
At the Dinner Table
You: Prosímtě, podej mi ten chleba.
Friend: Tady je. Prosím.
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Pro' who 'Seems' very polite. A 'Pro-Seem' always says please.
시각적 연상
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.
In Other Languages
It is almost identical in function to the German 'Bitte', which also means both 'please' and 'you're welcome'. In English, we have to switch between 'please', 'you're welcome', and 'pardon', making Czech actually simpler in this regard.
Word Web
챌린지
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.
Review this word every time you enter a building or start a conversation today.
발음
Short 'o', like in 'pot'.
The 'í' is long, like 'see'. The 'm' is soft.
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Prosím vás, pomozte mi. (Asking for assistance)
Prosím, pomozte mi. (Asking for assistance)
Prosímtě, pomoz mi. (Asking for assistance)
Hele, pichni mi s tím, prosím. (Asking for assistance)
Derived from the Proto-Slavic verb *prositi, which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *prek- (to ask, to woo, to pray).
재미있는 사실
The word is a distant relative of the English word 'pray' and 'precarious' (originally meaning 'obtained by entreaty').
문화 노트
Saying 'prosím' when entering a small shop is expected. It's not just about the word, but acknowledging the social space.
“Dobrý den, jeden chleba, prosím.”
In Moravia, people might use 'Prosím pěkně' (Please nicely), which sounds more traditional and warm than the standard Prague 'Prosím'.
“Prosím pěkně, mohl byste...”
In emails, 'Prosím' is often used to soften instructions. A sentence without it can sound like a harsh command.
“Prosím o zaslání faktury.”
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.
“Prosím vás, paní, mohu vám pomoci?”
대화 시작하기
How do you order a beer in a Czech pub?
You didn't hear what the teacher said. What do you say?
Ask a stranger where the nearest metro station is.
Someone thanks you for a gift. How do you respond warmly?
자주 하는 실수
Saying 'Děkuji' when you want to say 'Please'.
Prosím.
L1 Interference
Using 'Prosím' to apologize for bumping into someone.
Promiňte / Pardon.
L1 Interference
Using 'Prosímtě' with your boss.
Prosím vás.
L1 Interference
Saying 'Prosím' with a flat tone when you didn't hear someone.
Prosím? (Rising tone)
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Bitte
There is almost no difference in usage.
Please / You're welcome
English 'please' cannot be used to mean 'you're welcome'.
Por favor / De nada
Spanish requires specific phrases for each social function.
S'il vous plaît / De rien
French lacks a single multi-purpose word like 'prosím'.
Onegaishimasu / Douitashimashite
Japanese has many levels of politeness that 'prosím' covers in one word.
Min fadlak / Afwan
Arabic splits the 'please' and 'you're welcome' functions.
Qǐng / Bù kèqì
Chinese 'Qǐng' is a verb of invitation/request only.
Jebal / Cheonman-eyo
Korean uses entirely different verbs for requesting vs. responding.
Spotted in the Real World
“Prosím.”
The main character Louka uses it frequently when interacting with the young Russian boy, Kolja, showing the bridge of politeness between languages.
“Prosím, ukončete výstup a nástup, dveře se zavírají.”
The standard announcement heard at every train station in the country.
“Prosím, ať se ti splní sny.”
A famous song where the word is used in the sense of a wish or prayer.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'Prosím' to apologize for physical accidents.
Use 'Pardon' for accidents and 'Prosím' for words.
When answering the phone, some say 'Ano?' (Yes?).
'Prosím?' is more polite and standard for phone calls.
자주 묻는 질문 (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'.
usage contextsThe word itself is neutral. 'Prosím vás' is formal, and 'Prosímtě' is informal.
grammar mechanicsBecause it means 'You're welcome'. It's the standard response.
basic understandingYes, especially when offering something: 'Prosím, tady je vaše místo.'
usage contextsYes, it's very common and polite. It's better than saying 'Co?' (What?), which is rude.
practical tipsIt's an idiom meaning 'Well, there you go!' or 'Look at that!', usually expressing surprise.
advanced usageYes, etymologically it comes from the same root as 'to pray'.
cultural usageYou still use 'Prosím vás', as 'vás' is the plural/formal 'you'.
grammar mechanicsYes, very often to make requests sound more professional.
usage contextsYes, if said with a heavy, sighing tone, it can mean 'Oh, please, not again'.
cultural usage
