Meaning
Having a high body temperature.
Cultural Background
The '37 degree rule': In Czechia, 37.0°C is the strict cutoff. If you have 36.9, you are fine. If you have 37.0, you have 'teplotu' and are officially sick. The use of 'Paralen': When someone has 'teplotu', the most common cultural response is to suggest taking a 'Paralen' (paracetamol), which is the most famous brand in the region. Sick days: Many Czech companies offer 'sick days'. Using 'mám teplotu' is the most common justification for taking one without needing a formal doctor's note for just one day. The 'hand on forehead' test: Czech parents are experts at detecting 'teplotu' just by kissing or touching a child's forehead, often before even using a thermometer.
The 'Jsem teplý' Trap
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. Always use 'Mám' (I have) not 'Jsem' (I am).
Celsius Only
Czechia uses Celsius. If you say you have a temperature of 100, people will think you are boiling!
Meaning
Having a high body temperature.
The 'Jsem teplý' Trap
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. Always use 'Mám' (I have) not 'Jsem' (I am).
Celsius Only
Czechia uses Celsius. If you say you have a temperature of 100, people will think you are boiling!
Use 'Zvýšená'
If you want to sound very precise, say 'Mám zvýšenou teplotu' (I have an increased temperature).
Tea is mandatory
If you tell a Czech you have 'teplotu', expect to be offered tea immediately.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the phrase.
Dnes mi není dobře, asi ______ ______.
The phrase is 'mám teplotu' (I have a temperature).
Which sentence is correct when calling your boss?
A: Jsem teplý, nepřijdu. B: Mám teplotu, nepřijdu.
Option A uses a slang term for being gay; Option B is the correct way to say you have a fever.
Match the Czech phrase with its English meaning.
1. Mám teplotu. 2. Mám horečku. 3. Mám horko.
Teplota is mild, horečka is high, and horko is about the environment.
Complete the dialogue.
Doktor: Máte i jiné problémy? Pacient: Ano, ______ ______ a kašlu.
The patient needs to conjugate the verb 'mít' to 'mám'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Temperature Levels in Czech
What to do when you 'máš teplotu'
Drink
- • Čaj s medem
- • Voda
- • Bylinky
Rest
- • Postel
- • Spánek
- • Klid
Meds
- • Paralen
- • Ibalgin
- • Aspirin
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDnes mi není dobře, asi ______ ______.
The phrase is 'mám teplotu' (I have a temperature).
A: Jsem teplý, nepřijdu. B: Mám teplotu, nepřijdu.
Option A uses a slang term for being gay; Option B is the correct way to say you have a fever.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Teplota is mild, horečka is high, and horko is about the environment.
Doktor: Máte i jiné problémy? Pacient: Ano, ______ ______ a kašlu.
The patient needs to conjugate the verb 'mít' to 'mám'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually no. It means a mild fever (37-38°C). For a high fever, use 'mít horečku'.
No, for a car engine you would say 'motor se přehřívá' (the motor is overheating).
Yes, it is perfectly professional and neutral.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, you would just say 'nemám teplotu' or 'jsem zdravý'.
Because it is the object of the verb 'mít', so it must be in the accusative case.
Yes, that means 'I have hot skin', which is a way to describe the symptom.
No, it is standard Czech used by everyone from children to doctors.
Měl jsem teplotu (male) or Měla jsem teplotu (female).
In Czechia, that is considered normal. You do NOT have 'teplotu'.
It's better to say 'vysokou teplotu' (high temperature).
Related Phrases
Mít horečku
similarTo have a high fever
Srazit teplotu
builds onTo bring the temperature down
Změřit si teplotu
builds onTo take one's temperature
Být marod
synonymTo be sick
Vyležet to
relatedTo stay in bed until healthy
