Meaning
The primary part of a meal.
Cultural Background
The 'Soup + Main' rule is strictly followed. Even in a rush, a Czech person feels a meal is incomplete without a soup preceding the 'hlavní jídlo'. The 'Sunday Roast' (Nedělní pečeně) is the most important 'hlavní jídlo' of the week, often featuring pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut. School and work canteens (jídelny) are a staple of Czech life. They usually offer a choice of 2-3 'hlavní jídla' every day. Portion sizes for 'hlavní jídlo' in Czechia are traditionally very large, reflecting the country's history of heavy manual labor.
Ordering Shorthand
In a busy lunch spot, you can just say 'Jedno hlavní, prosím' (One main, please) if there's only one daily option.
Soft Adjective Alert
Remember that 'hlavní' ends in -í for all genders. Don't say 'hlavný'!
Meaning
The primary part of a meal.
Ordering Shorthand
In a busy lunch spot, you can just say 'Jedno hlavní, prosím' (One main, please) if there's only one daily option.
Soft Adjective Alert
Remember that 'hlavní' ends in -í for all genders. Don't say 'hlavný'!
The 'Menu' Confusion
In Czech, 'menu' often refers specifically to the set deal (soup + main), not the physical book (which is 'jídelní lístek').
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the sentence.
Jako ______ jídlo si dám kuřecí řízek.
We need the adjective 'hlavní' (main) to describe the noun 'jídlo'.
Which of these is a typical 'hlavní jídlo'?
Vyberte hlavní jídlo:
Svíčková is a classic Czech main course. The others are soup, dessert, and coffee.
Match the Czech term with its English equivalent.
Spojte dvojice:
These are the standard courses of a Czech meal in order.
Complete the dialogue between a waiter and a guest.
Číšník: Co si dáte k pití? Host: Pivo, prosím. Číšník: A co si dáte jako ______ ______?
The waiter is asking for the guest's main course order.
In which situation would you most likely say 'Kde jsou hlavní jídla?'
Vyberte situaci:
You use this to find the main section of the food offerings.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Struktura českého oběda
Chody
- • Předkrm
- • Polévka
- • Hlavní jídlo
- • Dezert
Jídlo vs. Chod
Practice Bank
5 exercisesJako ______ jídlo si dám kuřecí řízek.
We need the adjective 'hlavní' (main) to describe the noun 'jídlo'.
Vyberte hlavní jídlo:
Svíčková is a classic Czech main course. The others are soup, dessert, and coffee.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard courses of a Czech meal in order.
Číšník: Co si dáte k pití? Host: Pivo, prosím. Číšník: A co si dáte jako ______ ______?
The waiter is asking for the guest's main course order.
Vyberte situaci:
You use this to find the main section of the food offerings.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's rare. Breakfast is usually just 'snídaně'. 'Hlavní jídlo' is almost exclusively for lunch and dinner.
It's just more formal. In a pub, use 'hlavní jídlo'. In a fancy wine bar, use 'hlavní chod'.
Say 'vegetariánské hlavní jídlo' or look for the 'Bezmasá jídla' section.
Yes, to 'hlavní' (it stays the same for soft adjectives in nominative plural neuter!). 'Hlavní jídla'.
Statistically, it's 'vepřový řízek' (pork schnitzel) or 'svíčková'.
Yes, but in the phrase 'hlavní jídlo', it specifically means the dish.
Only if it's a 'velký salát' intended to replace the main course. Otherwise, it's a 'příloha' or 'předkrm'.
Because it's a soft adjective. Soft adjectives end in -í regardless of gender in the nominative.
Say: 'To hlavní jídlo si dám později, prosím.'
Say: 'Jenom hlavní jídlo, bez polévky.'
Related Phrases
Předkrm
contrastAppetizer
Dezert
contrastDessert
Příloha
builds onSide dish
Denní nabídka
similarDaily offer
Hotové jídlo
specialized formReady-made meal
