Meaning
Inviting someone to sit down.
Cultural Background
The 'Slipper Culture': When invited to 'Posaďte se' in a home, you are usually already wearing slippers provided by the host. Sitting down is the final step of the 'entering the home' ritual. Hierarchy matters. You should wait for the person of higher rank to say 'Posaďte se' before you take a seat in their office. Younger people often stand up to offer their seat to the elderly. They might say 'Posaďte se' while gesturing to their seat. The phrase is often paired with 'Co si dáte k pití?' (What will you have to drink?), as sitting down is the start of the hosting process.
The 'Prosím' Rule
Always add 'prosím' (please) before or after 'Posaďte se' to sound like a native speaker. It rounds off the imperative.
Don't forget the 'SE'
If you say 'Posaďte' without 'se', Czechs will look around for the object you want them to put down!
Meaning
Inviting someone to sit down.
The 'Prosím' Rule
Always add 'prosím' (please) before or after 'Posaďte se' to sound like a native speaker. It rounds off the imperative.
Don't forget the 'SE'
If you say 'Posaďte' without 'se', Czechs will look around for the object you want them to put down!
Wait for the invite
In very formal Czech settings, it's polite to wait for the host to say 'Posaďte se' before sitting.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun to make the sentence 'Please sit down' (formal).
Prosím, posaďte ___.
The verb 'posadit' always requires the reflexive pronoun 'se' when you are telling someone to sit down.
You are at a job interview. Which phrase should you use to invite the interviewer to sit?
Which is the most appropriate?
'Posaďte se' is the correct formal form for professional settings.
Complete the dialogue between a doctor and a patient.
Doktor: Dobrý den. __________, prosím. Co vás trápí?
A doctor uses the formal 'Vy' form with patients.
Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.
1. Posaď se | 2. Posaďte se
Posaď se is informal (Tykání), Posaďte se is formal (Vykání).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Posaďte se
Professional
- • Interviews
- • Meetings
- • Offices
Service
- • Doctors
- • Banks
- • Hotels
Social
- • New guests
- • Neighbors
- • Groups
Practice Bank
4 exercisesProsím, posaďte ___.
The verb 'posadit' always requires the reflexive pronoun 'se' when you are telling someone to sit down.
Which is the most appropriate?
'Posaďte se' is the correct formal form for professional settings.
Doktor: Dobrý den. __________, prosím. Co vás trápí?
A doctor uses the formal 'Vy' form with patients.
1. Posaď se | 2. Posaďte se
Posaď se is informal (Tykání), Posaďte se is formal (Vykání).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is used for one person formally (Vy-form) OR for a group of people (plural).
'Posaďte se' is more like 'Have a seat' (inviting), while 'Sedněte si' is more like 'Take a seat' (functional/direct).
Yes, it is perfectly polite and appropriate for a student to say to a teacher if the teacher enters the student's space.
It's the soft form of 'd' that occurs in the imperative of this verb. It's pronounced by pressing the tongue against the hard palate.
Usually no. With a dog, you use the informal command 'Sedni!'.
Yes, it's 100% correct, just slightly less 'warm' than 'Posaďte se'.
You can say 'Račte se posadit', but use it sparingly as it sounds very old-fashioned.
If you are hosting, it is polite to stand while inviting your guest to sit.
In this imperative phrase, yes. 'Posaďte se' is the standard order.
The past tense is 'Posadil se' (He sat down) or 'Posadili se' (They sat down).
Related Phrases
Sedněte si
similarSit down (formal)
Posaď se
synonymSit down (informal)
Udělejte si pohodlí
builds onMake yourself comfortable
Vstaňte
contrastStand up
