Bedeutung
Standard way to express gratitude.
Kultureller Hintergrund
When paying in a restaurant, saying 'Děkuji' as you hand over a large bill often means 'keep the change'. If you want change back, say nothing or say 'To je dobré' with the specific amount you want to pay. Eye contact is important. When saying 'Děkuji' while clinking glasses (na zdraví), you must look the person in the eye, or it is considered bad luck. The 'Prosím/Děkuji' loop: Czechs are very polite in service. You will hear a constant stream of 'Prosím' (Here you go) and 'Děkuji' (Thank you) throughout any transaction. In rural areas, 'Děkuji' is sometimes replaced by 'Zaplaťpánbůh' (God pay you) by older generations, though this is becoming rare.
The 'U' vs 'I' rule
If you want to sound like a local, use 'Děkuju' in shops. If you want to sound like a perfect student, use 'Děkuji'.
Don't forget the 'za'
Always use 'za' if you mention the thing you are thankful for. 'Děkuji kávu' sounds like you are thanking the coffee itself!
Bedeutung
Standard way to express gratitude.
The 'U' vs 'I' rule
If you want to sound like a local, use 'Děkuju' in shops. If you want to sound like a perfect student, use 'Děkuji'.
Don't forget the 'za'
Always use 'za' if you mention the thing you are thankful for. 'Děkuji kávu' sounds like you are thanking the coffee itself!
The Tipping Secret
Saying 'Děkuji' while handing over money is a signal to the waiter. If you want change, wait to say it until after you get your change.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct preposition to say 'Thank you for the water'.
Děkuji ___ vodu.
In Czech, 'děkovat' is always followed by 'za' + accusative.
Fill in the missing formal pronoun: 'Thank you (formal)'.
Děkuji ___.
The formal 'you' in the dative case is 'vám'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase is best for a close friend who gave you a beer?
'Díky moc' is the perfect informal way to thank a friend.
Complete the dialogue at the bakery.
Prodavač: 'Tady je váš chleba.' Vy: '_______.'
You say 'Děkuji' when you receive the item you bought.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDěkuji ___ vodu.
In Czech, 'děkovat' is always followed by 'za' + accusative.
Děkuji ___.
The formal 'you' in the dative case is 'vám'.
Which phrase is best for a close friend who gave you a beer?
'Díky moc' is the perfect informal way to thank a friend.
Prodavač: 'Tady je váš chleba.' Vy: '_______.'
You say 'Děkuji' when you receive the item you bought.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenDěkuji is the formal, written form. Děkuju is the colloquial, spoken form. Both are correct, but Děkuju is more common in daily life.
Say 'Ne, děkuji'. It is polite and clear.
No, but it is informal. Use it with friends, but avoid it with your boss or elderly people.
The person you thank is in the Dative case (vám, ti). The thing you thank for is after 'za' in the Accusative case.
Yes, but it's very casual, like saying 'thanks' or 'ta'.
The most common response is 'Prosím' or 'Není zač'.
It is always 'Děkuji vám'. 'Vás' is the wrong case.
You can say 'Moc děkuji' or 'Mnohokrát děkuji'.
Yes, Czech culture values these polite formulas highly in all public interactions.
Yes, it is the standard way to express gratitude in both formal and informal emails.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Moc děkuji
similarThank you very much
Díky
informalThanks
Není zač
contrastYou're welcome / Not at all
Vřelé díky
specialized formWarm thanks
Poděkovat
builds onTo thank (verb)
