Meaning
Expressing regret or sympathy.
Cultural Background
Czechs often use 'Je mi to líto' as a way to soften a 'No'. If you ask for a favor and they can't do it, they will say 'Je mi to líto, ale nemůžu'. It's more polite than a flat refusal. The concept of 'lítost' is central to Czech identity. It's a mix of grief, sympathy, and self-pity. Milan Kundera's 'The Book of Laughter and Forgetting' is the best resource to understand the depth of this word. In Czechia, it is common to say 'Je mi to líto' even to strangers if you see them struggling (e.g., dropping their groceries). It shows you are not indifferent. In business, 'Je mi to líto' is used to maintain a 'human face'. Even if a company is following a strict policy, the individual employee will use this phrase to show they personally care.
The 'Moc' Trick
If you want to sound more sincere, always add 'moc' (very). 'Je mi to moc líto' sounds much warmer than the basic version.
Don't say 'Jsem líto'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: It's not 'I am sorry', it's 'It is to me sorry'.
Meaning
Expressing regret or sympathy.
The 'Moc' Trick
If you want to sound more sincere, always add 'moc' (very). 'Je mi to moc líto' sounds much warmer than the basic version.
Don't say 'Jsem líto'
This is the #1 mistake. Remember: It's not 'I am sorry', it's 'It is to me sorry'.
Eye Contact
When saying this for sympathy, maintain brief, soft eye contact. Czechs value sincerity over big gestures.
The 'Že' Connection
Use 'že' to explain why you are sorry. It makes your Czech sound much more fluent and connected.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct Czech translation for 'I am sorry (about the situation)'.
How do you say 'I am sorry' in Czech?
Czech uses the dative 'mi' and the impersonal 'je to'.
Fill in the missing dative pronoun: 'He is sorry.'
Je ___ to líto.
The dative of 'on' (he) is 'mu'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Your friend's dog died. What do you say?
This is the standard way to express sympathy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Rozbil jsem tvůj telefon. B: Cože?! A: ___________.
An apology is required after breaking something.
Complete the phrase for 'I am sorry that you are sick'.
Je mi líto, ___ jsi nemocný.
'Že' is the conjunction used to introduce the reason for the regret.
Which phrase means 'I feel sorry for you' (pity)?
Select the correct form:
Replacing 'to' with 'tě' (you) changes the meaning from 'sorry about it' to 'pity for you'.
🎉 Score: /6
Visual Learning Aids
Grammar Breakdown
The Verb
- • Je (is)
The Person
- • mi (to me)
- • ti (to you)
- • mu (to him)
The Object
- • to (it)
The Feeling
- • líto (sorry)
Practice Bank
6 exercisesHow do you say 'I am sorry' in Czech?
Czech uses the dative 'mi' and the impersonal 'je to'.
Je ___ to líto.
The dative of 'on' (he) is 'mu'.
Your friend's dog died. What do you say?
This is the standard way to express sympathy.
A: Rozbil jsem tvůj telefon. B: Cože?! A: ___________.
An apology is required after breaking something.
Je mi líto, ___ jsi nemocný.
'Že' is the conjunction used to introduce the reason for the regret.
Select the correct form:
Replacing 'to' with 'tě' (you) changes the meaning from 'sorry about it' to 'pity for you'.
🎉 Score: /6
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYou can, but 'Pardon' or 'Promiňte' is more common for physical bumps. Use 'Je mi to líto' if you caused them actual trouble (like spilling their coffee).
Yes, it is very common in business emails to express regret about delays or problems. It sounds professional yet human.
'Omlouvám se' is 'I apologize' (an action). 'Je mi to líto' is 'I feel sorry' (an emotion). Use the latter for sympathy.
Change 'mi' to 'nám': 'Je nám to líto'.
No! Whether you are a man, a woman, or a group, 'líto' always stays the same.
It's better to say 'Promiňte, nerozumím'. 'Je mi to líto' sounds a bit too dramatic for just not understanding a word.
Almost. 'To mě mrzí' is slightly more informal and very common in speech. You can use them interchangeably 90% of the time.
Use 'Je mi to moc líto, upřímnou soustrast'.
Czech word order often puts short pronouns (mi, to) in the second position of the sentence. It's a rule called 'clitics'.
Yes, it's perfectly fine. You might use the diminutive 'to je mi líto, broučku' (I'm sorry, little bug).
Constantly! It's one of the most common phrases in Czech drama to show a character's regret.
You can use it as a polite social formula, but Czechs might sense if you're being insincere. Use it when you want to be polite.
Related Phrases
Omlouvám se
synonymI apologize
To mě mrzí
similarThat grieves/upsets me
Promiňte
similarForgive me / Excuse me
Bohužel
builds onUnfortunately
Upřímnou soustrast
specialized formSincere condolences
Škoda
contrastThat's a pity / Too bad
