Meaning
Offering food or drink to a guest.
Cultural Background
The 'First Refusal' rule: It is common for Czechs to say 'No, thank you' the first time you offer something. A good host usually offers a second time or suggests something specific like 'Are you sure? Not even a coffee?'. In the Moravian wine regions, 'Dáte si něco?' almost always implies an offer of wine or homemade plum brandy (slivovice). Refusing can be harder here as hospitality is very intense. Offering water or coffee is the first thing that happens in any business meeting. It is considered a sign of a professional company. Among young people, the phrase is often shortened to just 'Dáš si?' while pointing at a drink or a snack, skipping the 'něco' entirely.
The Power of 'K'
Always follow 'něco' with 'k' + dative to specify: 'něco k pití' (to drink), 'něco k jídlu' (to eat).
Don't forget the 'si'!
Without 'si', you are asking the guest to give YOU something. Very awkward!
Meaning
Offering food or drink to a guest.
The Power of 'K'
Always follow 'něco' with 'k' + dative to specify: 'něco k pití' (to drink), 'něco k jídlu' (to eat).
Don't forget the 'si'!
Without 'si', you are asking the guest to give YOU something. Very awkward!
The Negative Politeness
Use 'Nedáte si...?' to sound extra hospitable and native. It sounds like 'Won't you have...?'
The Beer Rule
In a pub, if you ask 'Dáte si?', it almost always means 'Another round of beers?'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun to make the offer polite.
Dáte ___ něco k pití?
'Si' is the dative reflexive pronoun required for the phrase 'dát si' (to have/consume).
Choose the most appropriate phrase for a waiter to use with a customer.
A waiter approaches a table. What does he say?
'Dáte si něco?' is the correct formal version for a service environment.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
Honza: 'Ahoj Marku! Pojď dál.' Marek: 'Ahoj.' Honza: '____ si něco? Mám pivo i džus.'
Since they are friends (using 'Ahoj'), the informal 'Dáš' is required.
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
1. Dáš si? 2. Dáte si? 3. Dali byste si?
'Dáš' is informal (ty), 'Dáte' is formal (vy), and 'Dali byste' is the conditional very formal form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you 'Dát si'?
Drinks
- • Kávu
- • Čaj
- • Vodu
- • Pivo
Food
- • Dort
- • Chlebíček
- • Polévku
- • Oběd
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDáte ___ něco k pití?
'Si' is the dative reflexive pronoun required for the phrase 'dát si' (to have/consume).
A waiter approaches a table. What does he say?
'Dáte si něco?' is the correct formal version for a service environment.
Honza: 'Ahoj Marku! Pojď dál.' Marek: 'Ahoj.' Honza: '____ si něco? Mám pivo i džus.'
Since they are friends (using 'Ahoj'), the informal 'Dáš' is required.
1. Dáš si? 2. Dáte si? 3. Dali byste si?
'Dáš' is informal (ty), 'Dáte' is formal (vy), and 'Dali byste' is the conditional very formal form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsPrimarily yes, but it can be used for anything you 'consume' or 'take for yourself', like a break (dát si pauzu).
'Dáte si' means you are the one consuming it. 'Dáte' means you are giving it to someone else.
Yes, but it's less polite. It's like 'Do you want something?' vs 'Would you like something?'.
Say 'Ano, dám si [item in accusative]' or 'Ne, děkuji, nic nechci'.
Always 'si'. 'Dáte se' means something completely different (like 'to start' or 'to be possible').
No, in a shop the assistant will say 'Co si přejete?' (What do you wish for?).
Yes, in Slovak it is 'Dáte si niečo?', which is almost identical.
This is 'vykání'—the formal way to address one person in Czech.
Just replace 'něco' with the thing: 'Dáte si kávu?'.
Yes, it's perfect. It's friendly and informal.
Related Phrases
Co si dáte?
similarWhat will you have?
Dám si...
builds onI will have...
Nabídněte si
similarHelp yourself
Máte vybráno?
specialized formHave you chosen?
Dobrou chuť
builds onEnjoy your meal
Na zdraví
builds onCheers
