Meaning
Suffering from a runny nose.
Cultural Background
The 'Man-Flu' (Mužská rýmička) is a massive cultural meme. There are songs and comedy sketches about how a man with a simple cold acts like he is on his deathbed. The fear of 'průvan' (a draft) is a common cultural trait. Many believe that sitting in a draft is the primary cause of 'rýma'. Czechs often use 'Vincentka', a specific mineral water from a local spring, to treat 'rýma' by inhaling it or using it as a spray. In Czechia, it is considered more polite to blow your nose loudly into a tissue than to sniffle quietly. Sniffling is seen as unhygienic.
The -u ending
Always remember the -u at the end when using it with 'mám'. 'Mám rýma' sounds like 'I have a cold' said by a toddler.
The Man-Flu Joke
If a Czech man says he has 'rýmička', he is likely being self-deprecating or his wife is teasing him.
Meaning
Suffering from a runny nose.
The -u ending
Always remember the -u at the end when using it with 'mám'. 'Mám rýma' sounds like 'I have a cold' said by a toddler.
The Man-Flu Joke
If a Czech man says he has 'rýmička', he is likely being self-deprecating or his wife is teasing him.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mít' and the noun 'rýma'.
Já (mít) hroznou (rýma).
The first person singular of 'mít' is 'mám' and the accusative of 'rýma' is 'rýmu'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'He has a cold'?
We use the verb 'mít' and the accusative case 'rýmu'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Proč nejdeš do kina? B: ________, musím ležet.
Having a cold is a valid reason to stay home and 'mám rýmu' is the correct form.
Match the Czech phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these variations.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Cold Symptoms in Czech
Nose
- • rýma
- • smrkání
- • kýchání
Throat
- • kašel
- • bolest v krku
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJá (mít) hroznou (rýma).
The first person singular of 'mít' is 'mám' and the accusative of 'rýma' is 'rýmu'.
How do you say 'He has a cold'?
We use the verb 'mít' and the accusative case 'rýmu'.
A: Proč nejdeš do kina? B: ________, musím ležet.
Having a cold is a valid reason to stay home and 'mám rýmu' is the correct form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard translations for these variations.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it is the standard medical and social term. It is neither too formal nor too informal.
No. 'I am cold' (feeling cold) is 'Je mi zima'. 'Mám rýmu' specifically means you have the illness.
It is usually used in the singular. You wouldn't say 'I have colds' in the plural in this context.
Related Phrases
mít kašel
similarto have a cough
mít horečku
similarto have a fever
kýchat
builds onto sneeze
smrkat
builds onto blow one's nose
