Significado
A language from another country
Contexto cultural
In the Czech Republic, Russian was the mandatory 'cizí jazyk' from 1948 to 1989. Today, older generations may still speak it, while younger generations almost exclusively choose English. The EU promotes the 'Mother Tongue + 2' policy, encouraging citizens to speak two foreign languages in addition to their native one. This is very visible in the Czech school system. Czechs and Slovaks usually do not consider each other's languages as 'cizí jazyk' due to high mutual intelligibility and shared history, though technically they are different languages. There is a cultural debate about whether 'English' is still a 'cizí jazyk' or if it has become a basic skill like 'driving' or 'typing'.
Soft Adjective Rule
Remember that 'cizí' is a soft adjective. It doesn't change its ending to -á or -é for feminine or neuter nouns in the nominative singular.
The 'y' in Jazyk
Even though it's spelled with 'y', it sounds like a short 'i'. Don't over-round your lips.
Significado
A language from another country
Soft Adjective Rule
Remember that 'cizí' is a soft adjective. It doesn't change its ending to -á or -é for feminine or neuter nouns in the nominative singular.
The 'y' in Jazyk
Even though it's spelled with 'y', it sounds like a short 'i'. Don't over-round your lips.
CV Usage
On your CV, use the heading 'Jazykové znalosti' instead of just 'Cizí jazyky' to sound more professional.
The 'Human' Proverb
Mentioning the proverb 'Kolik jazyků znáš...' is a great way to impress Czech speakers and show cultural awareness.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of 'cizí jazyk'.
Učím se ____ ____ (nominative).
After 'učit se', we use the accusative, which for masculine inanimate 'cizí jazyk' is the same as the nominative.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you ask 'Do you speak a foreign language?'
The verb 'mluvit' requires the instrumental case ('cizím jazykem').
Match the Czech phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
This tests the genitive plural form 'cizích jazyků'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kolik ____ ____ ovládáš? B: Mluvím třemi.
After 'kolik' (how many), we use the genitive plural.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you see 'Znalost cizích jazyků vítána'?
This is a standard phrase in Czech job ads meaning 'Knowledge of foreign languages welcome'.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Language Types
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosUčím se ____ ____ (nominative).
After 'učit se', we use the accusative, which for masculine inanimate 'cizí jazyk' is the same as the nominative.
How do you ask 'Do you speak a foreign language?'
The verb 'mluvit' requires the instrumental case ('cizím jazykem').
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
This tests the genitive plural form 'cizích jazyků'.
A: Kolik ____ ____ ovládáš? B: Mluvím třemi.
After 'kolik' (how many), we use the genitive plural.
Where would you see 'Znalost cizích jazyků vítána'?
This is a standard phrase in Czech job ads meaning 'Knowledge of foreign languages welcome'.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt is masculine inanimate, because 'jazyk' is masculine.
Yes, but it sounds more like 'foreign speech' rather than 'foreign language'. Use 'jazyk' for studies.
Mluvím třemi cizími jazyky.
It can also mean 'someone else's' (e.g., cizí auto - someone else's car) or 'strange'.
English is by far the most common, followed by German.
Legally yes, but culturally and practically, most Czechs don't view it that way.
The plural is 'cizí jazyky'.
The accusative. So: 'Učím se cizí jazyk'.
Not really, though in school schedules it might be abbreviated as 'CJ'.
Yes, 'jazyk' is both 'language' and 'tongue'.
Because the verb 'mluvit' (to speak) requires the instrumental case to show the means of communication.
It is neutral. It's used in both formal documents and everyday talk.
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mateřský jazyk
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cizinec
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jazyková škola
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tlumočník
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domluvit se
similarto make oneself understood
