Meaning
An unfriendly cat.
Cultural Background
Czechs often use 'zlá' for dogs too ('zlý pes'), and you will see signs on gates saying 'Pozor, zlý pes!' (Beware of the bad dog!). 'Zlá kočka' signs are rare but used as a joke. In many Czech fairy tales, cats are companions to witches (ježibaby). These cats are almost always 'zlé kočky' that help cast spells. The 'Grumpy Cat' meme was translated in Czechia as 'mrzutá kočka', but many people still just call her 'ta zlá kočka' because it's easier to say. In villages, a 'zlá kočka' is sometimes valued because it is a more aggressive hunter of mice and rats.
The 'á' is key
Don't forget the accent mark on 'zlá'. Without it, it sounds like a different word or just incorrect.
Don't call your boss this
Even if she is being mean, 'zlá kočka' is too informal and potentially offensive for a professional setting.
Meaning
An unfriendly cat.
The 'á' is key
Don't forget the accent mark on 'zlá'. Without it, it sounds like a different word or just incorrect.
Don't call your boss this
Even if she is being mean, 'zlá kočka' is too informal and potentially offensive for a professional setting.
Diminutives
Calling a mean cat 'zlá kočička' is often used as a joke because 'kočička' is a sweet, cute word.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'zlý'.
To je ____ kočka.
The noun 'kočka' is feminine and in the nominative case, so the adjective must be 'zlá'.
Which sentence is correct?
I see a mean cat.
In the accusative case (object of 'vidím'), 'zlá kočka' changes to 'zlou kočku'.
Match the Czech phrase with its English meaning.
Phrases: 1. Zlá kočka, 2. Hodná kočka, 3. Zlobivá kočka
Zlá = Mean, Hodná = Good, Zlobivá = Naughty.
Complete the dialogue.
Petr: 'Můžu si pohladit tvou kočku?' Jana: 'Raději ne, je to ____.'
Jana is warning Petr about her female cat's temperament.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTo je ____ kočka.
The noun 'kočka' is feminine and in the nominative case, so the adjective must be 'zlá'.
I see a mean cat.
In the accusative case (object of 'vidím'), 'zlá kočka' changes to 'zlou kočku'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Zlá = Mean, Hodná = Good, Zlobivá = Naughty.
Petr: 'Můžu si pohladit tvou kočku?' Jana: 'Raději ne, je to ____.'
Jana is warning Petr about her female cat's temperament.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you must change it to 'zlý kocour'.
It's used, but it's more of a 'sassy' or 'moody' label than a deep insult.
'Zlá' is common and emotional; 'agresivní' is formal and descriptive.
You can say 'Ta kočka teď zlobí' or 'Ta kočka je teď zlá'.
Usually, yes, or that it hisses and doesn't want to be touched.
Yes, 'mrzutá kočka', but 'zlá' is more common in basic speech.
No, 'zlá' is for living beings with a 'will'. For a bad movie, use 'špatný'.
Not as a fixed idiom, but 'kupovat zajíce v pytli' (buying a hare in a bag) is related to cat-trading history!
They often say 'To je zlá čičí!'
Yes, but the vet will likely use more technical terms.
Related Phrases
zlý pes
similarmean dog
hodná kočka
contrastgood/kind cat
zlobivá kočka
similarnaughty cat
černá kočka
similarblack cat
